Black Diamond Justice Ski - 2009 BCS

185 w/o question, as the others have already mentioned. I'd like to comment on Sandy's answer though: None of those things should affect your choice of length. An extra 4cm behind you won't make a difference in bumps, and an extra 6 in front won't make a difference in trees, no matter how tight.

I'd go with the 185. These skis are pretty light, and not very stiff. They also have some tip rocker to reduce running length and ease turn initiation. They're really easy to ski. I wouldn't hesitate about getting the 185.

I'd go with the 185cm unless you are a passionate lover of the trees, bumps or super tight turning. The extra length will give the stability at speed you seek, grasshopper! Enjoy!

Definately... The justice is a great backcountry ski. It is very light, but also has good pop and stiffness when you need it. For a good all around light hard charging backcountry ski, the Justice is my choice.

they are soft much softer than the katana. the katanas are fairly stiff and the justice is fairly soft.

get the sidestash it is an excellent powder ski and is great for touring

I would say the justice ski... but if you want to go super-light, I would recommend the Black Diamond Drift. This ski is really light for powder and touring, much lighter than the Justice. But if you want a ski that can withstand some harder conditions but still is pretty light, go with the Justice.

Id go for the justice or if you really want a powder specific ski go for the bd megawatt or the k2 pontoon.

dude the dukes are a pain in the backcountry go for dynafit

Id go with the zealot it is a little more stable in varible conditions but with a 110mm under foot it will still rock in powder.

Pablo,

The Justice is softer and more geared towards powder skiing. They are ok, but do not excel on piste like the verdicts do in my experience. Specifically, they don't 'carve or rail' like the verdict, but have a more smearing turn to them.

Yes. The Hardsides are noodles compared to the Justice. Very different skis.

If your just using it for striaght pow go for the megawatt or another ski would be the k2 pontoon.

The Megawatt is a fairly heavy and it won't get pushed around in choppy snow. The Megawatt's stiff tails and big early rise plow through any tracked out lines. The Megawatt is excellent in deep snow, but it makes skiing chop just as fun and easy as powder. The Mega would be the obvious choice for a powder specific ride.

The megawatt would be exellent if you spend your time sreddin pow.

Sounds like you want a specialty ski. I'd go fot the Meagawatts. The Justice has some crossover, and will do what you want in deep snow, but to maximize your fun level, I think the Megawatt will red line your shredometer. The 'watt will plow through the crud, and once you get 'em dialed, you'll be surgical when you encounter hard snow.

Those are two very different skis. The Verdict is slightly wider, and probably a better choice for fresh snow, and it's still great on groomed runs. The Zealot is stiffer than the Kilo, Verdict or Justice; it's a little skinnier than the Justice, but it's got a bit of tip rocker, which the Kilo and Verdict do not.
Kilowatt: likes hard snow and light freshie, good for bc and resort, all skill levels.
Verdict: likes variable conditions, up to 12" of soft snow on steep runs, most skill levels, BC or resort.
Zealot: freeskiing, all terrain, requires muscle and skills, mostly likes powder, but kills chop and rotten snow, too. Resort, or BC if you want to haul 'em.
Justice: Likes powder...a lot. Not as burly and stiff as the others, but still pretty solid and handles rotten crud, too. They'll do a resort, but you'll love them the most in uncut fresh BC pow!

Let me say that I already have the Killowatts, and also a pair of Verdicts. It just so happens that I had the option to purchase a Justice 175 as well. I use the Killowatt primarily, however, on days when the snow does fall, like last wednesday, the ski just can't keep me afloat. I know my weight is the issue, but the longer length wasn't great to learn on. I have already decided that the verdict was going to be my primary ski this season, but also wanted a nice wide stick for the deeper days. Which is usually when I get out on the hill (Courtesy of school snow days). But like I said earlier, I was thinking the Justice as the slog and play in the back woods of state parks in New England. The greater surface area would help with those situations where the snow is extremely deep (Drifts,etc). Anyhow, thank you very much for your help in this, and if anyone has had an opportunity to try these Justices out in the none resort woods, could you please comment. Thanks!

Having lived on the East Coast for six years. these skis really don't seem like a good choice for New England skiing, even if you like to rip trees. They'll rock maybe 1% of the time and be a lot less than wonderful the other 99%. New England powder is rarely very deep, and you've got to ski over a lot of hardpack and crud to get to it.

I would pick a ski with a 90 to 95 mm waist (certainly no wider than 100mm) for a NE powder ski. Something like a Volkl Mantra, G3 Rapid Transit, BD Kilowatt, etc.

you have made the right choice, out of all the skis you are looking at I think these are the way to go. you have the early rise on the tip, and this will make it a great Tahoe ski. remember this when you are thinking about size, so go BIG.

So i would say GO BIG. i am about your size and i am skiing a 185 and a 188. and with this early rise there is no question. Go with the 185 you will be a Happy skier. I am on the Megawatts and the 188 is a perfect length for me.

So i would say GO BIG. i am about your size and i am skiing a 185 and a 188. and with this early rise there is no question. Go with the 185 you will be a Happy skier. I am on the Megawatts and the 188 is a perfect length for me.

How tall are you? -- remember the effective edge is much shorter then the 175. they will ski much shorter than they are measured. you will have a total blast on these. they are truly one of the BEST skis out there. i would say GET THEM and enjoy this epic year!

Go for the bds of if you want to stick with k2 try the pontoons.(169 size)

GET IT! -- this is one of the best fat skis out there. i am skiing on the Megawatts and this is a smiler ski to that. As for the float, you will be happy. just don't be suprized if you stop skiing your K2s. BD is a superior ski.

I'm a 200+ pound skier and Black Diamond Skis can definitely handle Alpine skiing and a bigger skier. Black Diamond has found a way to make great light weight skis with strength. If you're worried that you might overpower this ski, check out the Black Diamond Zealot. It's stiffer and has a similar rockered tip. That being said it's a more demanding ski and is unforgiving if you fall into the back eeat.

Yes it can definitely be an alpine ski, and despite it's light weight the generous width gives it enough surface area to handle your weight for sure. Make sure to get the 185cm length...

yes the justice is fo sure a pow ski, super fun and easy to ski.The verdict sounds like a better all mountain choice with a bit more sidecut.

The verdict is definitely a stiff ski. The Justice is played down a bit and gives you a bit more play and doesn't ski you. It is lighter than the verdict but fatter as well. Definitely a great ski. It might not be as all condition focused as the verdict but in powder conditions it takes the cake for sure.

If you like the verdict, this years has been softened somewhat. The justice is more of a powder specific ski if that is what you are looking for. Some more info here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjIqafIqNvM

check the 2010 backcountry magazine buyers guide...the justice was one of the editors choices.

http://www.tetonat.com/2009/01/new-black-diamond-justice-and-climbing-skins-for-200910/

It's cursory, but that's the best I've seen sofar. The Megawatt-light concept does seem tempting...

Yeah, it's got front rocker (less than the Megawatt) and just a slight tail raise.

no it is not a twin tip it tells you that already its just partially raised in the back.