Black Diamond's
New Ski Line
BD introduces
10 new models for Fall, 2007
January, 2007--- With their split from Atomic and
subsequent move to their own ski production facility in China,
BD now has the ability to produce a wide range of skis for telemark
and backcountry skiing.
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As a result, BD will debut
10 new wood core skis at the Outdoor Retailer trade show next
week. From the 100/70/88 "Cult,' up through the massive
136/110/126 "Zealot," BD hopes to have a little something
for everyone. |
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Related Content |
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BD Ski Category Manager Thomas Laakso in a
wide ranging, 9 min.+ video Interview |
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Here's a quick rundown
and a few comments based on very limited testing and first impressions
of a few.
Zealot
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Dimensions: 136/110/126. Sizes: 182,
192. Weight (pair) 9.2 lbs (182). Turn radius: 33.0m (192), 30.0m
(182). Price: $639
BD will offer the Zealot in a more user-friendly
182 length and they will also make a limited number of 192s.
A big fat ski like this still makes a statement in the tele and
backcountry ski world, the Zealot sends the message that BD intends
to build skis that are on the leading edge of ski technology
and design trends. First impression: This is a dedicated big-mountain
ripper and powder ski. You will both be happiest if you keep
it on the soft and in the wild. |
KiloWatt
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Dimensions: 127/95/116. Sizes: 155,
165, 175, 185. Weight (pair) 8.3 lbs (184). Turn radius: 24.5m.
Price: $569
Our early impressions of the KiloWatt are
that it is another strong entry into an active category of late:
the do it all ski that you can feel confident taking out for
the day, no matter what kind of conditions you might encounter.
The KiloWatt skied a lot like G3's new Rapid Transit, which is
to say very, very well, and on everything from hardpack to fresh
powder. We have a lot more testing to do before we can do a full
review but it already seems quite obvious that the KiloWatt should
be a big hit among those looking for a versatile, fun ride. |
Verdict
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Dimensions: 134/102/120. Sizes: 155,
165, 175, 185. Weight (pair) 8.8 lbs (180). Turn radius: 26m.
Price: $599
The new Verdict gains 4mm in width over
the old model but it's the switch to a wood core that gives the
latest Verdict a much damper feel than the old foam core model.
If there was one rap on the old Verdict it was that some thought
they weren't damp enough for really hard charging. The Poplar
wood core should change that perception. We found the new Verdicts
to be far more damp and much more forgiving. One thing won't
change: the Verdicts will remain a fine choice for those looking
to bridge the gap between big-mountain fat skis and the kind
of carvy, edgy skis that are fun inbounds. |
Havoc
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Dimensions: 124/88/115. Sizes: 165,
175, 185. Weight (pair) 8.2 lbs (185). Turn radius: 26m. Price:
$529
The already torsionally stiff Havoc has
gained a little more torsional rigidity with the change to wood
cores, making a solid hardpack performer even better on the firm.
With a turn radius of 22.5m, the Havoc seems as though it is
being positioned as a hard and tight inbounds carving twintip
and park ski. |
Machine
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Dimensions: 123/79/108. Sizes: 158,
166, 174, 182. Weight (pair) 7.5 lbs (174). Turn radius: 17m.
Price: $499
Sharing the same dimensions as BD's new
"Stigma," the Machine is the one for hardpack carving.
We only had a couple of runs on the Machines, but the edge hold
was memorable. Should be a great quiver ski for the carving crowd. |
Joule
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Dimensions: 126/95/114. Sizes: 155,
165, 175. Weight (pair) 7.7 lbs (175). Turn radius: 22.5m. Price:
$569
The Joule is the widest of BD's new women's
skis. It's designed to be on the damp and forgiving side, while
the dimensions should make it a stable ride as well. |
Velvet
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Dimensions: 123/88/112. Sizes: 165,
175. Weight (pair) 7.5 lbs (175). Turn radius: 21m. Price: $529
The Velvet is intended to be an easy turning,
lower swing weight Women's ski. A sort of Women's version of
the Havoc that BD hopes will be "suitable for a broad range
of skill sets." |
Voodoo
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Dimensions: 124/88/115. Sizes: 165,
175, 185. Weight (pair) 7.7 lbs (185). Turn radius: 22.5m. Price:
$519
The Voodoo is one of the new backcountry
skis from BD. This one is modelled after the Havoc but is half
a pound lighter( for the pair). The reduced weight comes with
a price though: the Voodoo gives up some of the Havoc's torsional
rigidity, but the tradeoff is one many backcountry skiers might
see as more than worth it. Many feel a backcountry oriented ski
doesn't really need to shine on hardpack. Others will say, "gimme
the extra 4 ounces per ski..." Having choices is what a
ten-ski line is all about I guess. |
Stigma
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Dimensions: 123/79/108. Sizes: 158,
166, 174, 182. Weight (pair) 6.6 lbs (174). Turn radius: 17m.
Price: $489
A backcountry oriented version of the Machine,
the Stigma sheds nearly a full pound off that inbounds carver.
Again though it comes at a price, fewer layers of glass cloth
mean less less weight and less torsional rigidity. As expected,
the Stigma wasn't much fun on firm resort snow. They are billed
as being for "long tours with technical descents."
Presumably soft snow technical descents. |
Cult
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Dimensions: 100/70/88. Sizes: 157, 167,
177. Weight (pair) 5.3 lbs (174). Turn radius: 23m. Price: $479
What ski line would be complete without
a rando racer or lightweight lap ski? This is BD's lightest weight
ski for the "purely weight conscious crowd." |
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