Great Colorado Ski

Black Diamond Verdict Ski

Black Diamond Verdict Ski

Rating for this product: 5 February 28, 2012

Have been holding off on my review until I had quite a few days in on these in different conditions. I ski mostly around Steamboat and have over 10 days on these now this season. To try to put a positive spin on this season in Colorado, let's just say we have a variety of conditions.
Have now tried them on early season boilerplate (not great, but not what they are designed for), to powder days to crud and wind buff.
These skis have a wide sweet spot- they remind me a bit of the old BD Miras that just got down through anything. Same here. Only more playful. Where they excel is in soft conditions in bounds, and the backcountry. It may just be mental, but the front rocker seems to make them a bit quicker in trees and bumps.
Overall feel is a lively ski, with a strong tail to finish turns. Still very floaty feeling. Basically an effortless ski to turn. They also can go fast... as long as the surface isn't too slick, they aren't afraid to arc. I ski AT on some Volkl Mantras, and they do feel damper at speeds than the Verdicts. But compared to my Pocket Rockets, the Verdicts are way more capable at speed, and quicker in the trees. Nice combo.
I have the 180s, mounted for tele (BD01 binding). Use Ascension skins (although I have gotten away with 85mm kickers for short climbs).
I'd definitely put these high on your list if you are looking for an all around ski for Colorado.

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Salomon Rocker 2 Ski

December 13, 2011

Thanks, Cody. Appreciate it. And liked your session on the new Salomon binding: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mv63cPYOWxE&sf2693589=1 Paul

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Salomon Rocker 2 Ski

December 9, 2011

Rocker2 192 vs BD Amperage 185 opinions? This would be my powder ski (I have some 191 Mantras for the usual days). Would mount with AT binding and want to use in BC 1/3 of time. Ski mostly at Steamboat with trips to Jackson, Silverton, Altabird.

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Karhu XCD Guide

Karhu XCD Guide Ski

Karhu XCD Guide Ski

Rating for this product: 5 December 1, 2008

Bought a pair in 2006 when they first came out. I used to have Karhu Catamounts for touring. These are much nicer on the downhills. In soft snow, with T2s, it is even a decent OB combination for Steamboat. A lot of our OB climbs are pretty short and it is nice to not have to slap on skins. That being said, these are no fun coming down in area at the end of the day.
So I mostly use them for touring. Definitely not as much fun for serious BC stuff- I leave them home when I head up to Teton Pass, for instance.
They are really fun on mellow pitches with good snow, and tour nicely (where we ski we break trail a lot, and these are nice for that).
Bottom line: 5 stars if you use them as intended. Some are claiming these are serious BC skis, and I disagree. But they are a big step up, and the most serious "no wax" skis out there.

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