Description
Exceptional float + improved maneuverability = mega fun.
- Rockered tip, wide platform, flat-camber underfoot, and a slightly raised tail conspire to elicit giggles of joy as you get ready to surf the deep stuff
- A redesigned and stiffer tip enhances the effective edge, while the tighter turn radius allows for greater agility as compared to previous Megawatt model
- Torsion box construction blends the powerful edgehold and durability of birch sidewalls with the weight savings and turnability of a capped top
- Internal Wall Core Technology uses poplar with birch sidewalls for more pop and better edge hold
- Formula One tech features three internal ribs for performance on hard snow and improved turn initiation
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Share your thoughts
What do you think of the
Black Diamond Megawatt Ski
? Share a...
Black Diamond Megawatt 188. Bombs away!
Noonan
Member since
- Gender: Male
Just a few comments off the bat based on some of the other reviews and comments below. First, this ski (or at least mine) definitely have a little camber underfoot. I would say in the 5mm range per ski. Take a look at Blisters rocker pics and you will see this as well on theirs. Second, in conversations with Joe at BD, I mounted mine at 835mm from the tail and they are perfect there I think. It is technically +1.2cm from the new recs but totally manageable in tight areas and still stable as anything.
Too echo what JE said, the best way to describe this ski is confidence inspiring. You ski down so many lines faster yet in more control than ever. The combination of the 35m radius and large rocker gives you the best of both worlds. Stable long turns, and the ability to break the turn sideways and let it slide a bit while still being there. They are rocket ships for speed and break through the crud when you want them to and pop off of others. Performs the way a big ski should in so many conditions. This ski actually rails the groomers super well and once on edge grips incredibly well. Lastly, I know this is a heavy ski but it feels very light on the foot somehow. Might just be my head, but even with Dukes this ski seems very manageable weight wise and no real issues with the thought of walking up hill with these bad boys. Also should mention that this is a pretty long 188. Longer by 2-3cm than my 187 XXL and longer than a 190 Gotama by quite a bit. Still, with the mount position ahead just a tad, the tip does not look crazy long like some skis that measure a little on the longer side
A little in love with this ski so far to say the least
Noonan
Member since
I ski primarily in western Canada, Alberta and BC. Touring days through Kananaskis and the Pass. Resort days are typically Kicking Horse, Revelstoke, Castle, and throughout the Northwest US as well.
I'm 5'10" - 200 lbs - advanced skier and...
Collin
Member since
I'm 5'10" - 200 lbs - advanced skier and am trying to figure out the sizing for the megawatt. I would assume 188 would be the way to go but would like feedback. I'm more of an aggressive, charging skier and looking to get my first true powder ski.
Collin
Member since
Thanks Mark... I'm being looking to jump into a more capable all mountain/powder ski here in CO. I've been looking at deals and the current price looks very good on the MWs. I've been looking at Atomic Atlas as well. Not sure they really compare as they are very different skis. I plan on putting a Guardian 16 or Tracker 16 binding in for some side country touring or BC. Which is all new to me. Any thoughts on Atomic Atlas or using the bindings on MWs? Thanks.
Mark Parrett
Member since
Collin - no question at all - you want the 188. The 178 will be short and less stable and you should have no trouble with the bigger ski if you like to mach.
The Black Diamond Megawatt or the Armada...
Ben Paliwoda
Member since
The Black Diamond Megawatt or the Armada JJ? I tour a lot, and love to shred powder and cliffs.
Just so you guys now... in your description...
David
Member since
Just so you guys now... in your description it says zero camber - yet in the first bullet point, you say camber under foot.
A bit of a contradiction.
Josh Chapman
Member since
Hey David,
It does indeed have zero camber. I'll let our content team know. Thanks for the heads up!
Can anyone give me some mounting suggestions...
Dan Kasali
Member since
Can anyone give me some mounting suggestions based on their own experience with BD skis? Thanks
blackedout
Member since
Call BD and ask to speak to JOE, he's super cool and rides the Mega, helped me out a ton!
Dan Kasali
Member since
Emailed back and forth with Joe, awesome guy and amazing service from BD, thanks for the tip blackedout.
conan
Member since
What were his suggestions?
The Megawatt is going to be my charging...
blackedout
Member since
The Megawatt is going to be my charging ski for touring around Mammoth, cat trips and heli skiing.
Going to mount the Megas up with the MFD Alltime + FKS 140 XXL or Marker Barons.
My daily driver is the line Opus and I ride it center mounted on the factory center line.
Where do I mount the megawatts to get the same feel?
Cole
Member since
Mount them in the center, like your Mr Pollard's Opuses
Recommendations on suggested alpine bindings...
gck4957035
Member since
Recommendations on suggested alpine bindings for ski?
bikerider8670466
Member since
Marker Griffons, Salomon STH 14's, Look Pivots....Its really a personal preferance, (it also has to do a lot with your DIN #)
Hayden Beck
Member since
I agree with bikerider...Alpine bindings are mostly a personal preferance...
Salomons are easier to step into
griffons are burlier...
Looks, look cooler..
ect...
blackedout
Member since
pivots or fks. nothing else.
Cole
Member since
For tele, try a hammerhead.
I am hesitant in the choice between the...
lga
Member since
I am hesitant in the choice between the Megawatt, the Amperage and the Zealot. They all seem great but I am looking for a ski for off piste only, hopefully most powder but which also tackles choppy and harder at high speeds effortlessly. Any recommendations?
Also, how does the Megawatt work with ski touring bindings - is it on the heavy side for touring compared to the other two?
Hayden Beck
Member since
If I wee you I would go for the amperage...plenty of float in deep stuff...yet because its a freeride ski it should be able to take on huge ammounts of crappy snow
Hayden Beck
Member since
Oops forgot about bindings....the megawatt is a little heavy for touring bindings but I have seen multiple people put fritchi's on them outside magazine recomended maker dukes
blackedout
Member since
the megawatt is the best ski BD makes, if you're interested in the amperage, you're better off with a ski like the opus, bent chetler or the gunsmoke.
conan
Member since
I think the Zealot is the best one ski quiver out of the skis you mentioned. Where are you skiing that would have a lot to do with a recommendation?
Stiffer
John Collinson
Member since
This ski is a bit stiffer than both the Amperage and Gigawatt, which is nice for those days after a big storm. Great thing is they crush it in the pow too. Super floaty tips makes you feel like your surfing lines. Landings on these are super stable even at high speeds. They are pretty sweet all around.
anyone tried riding switch on these with...
puddin'
Member since
anyone tried riding switch on these with success?
Dave Marcus
Member since
You could get away with it on a groomer, but they really mean it when they say "slight rise". It's enough to allow you to back out of sketchy situations in deep snow, but the tails won't rise if you charge switch.
John Collinson
Member since
you can definately land switch on these, but sending it fast it a bit harder. I would definately recommend the Amp or Gigawatt for heavy switch skiing
Powerful, Playful, and Stable
Shaun Raskin
Member since
I have found myself skiing everything from wind buffed snow, to blower, to PNW mash potatoes on these bad boys and they are just killing it. They offer a stable platform underfoot that don't stray from the fall line. Despite there straighter side cut they still are quite responsive in tighter situations. The stiffer tail and improved tip profile allows these bad boys to float while also holding there own on more versatile snowpack. I am 5'8" and weigh about 155 and rock the 188.
Hank
Member since
Hey there, where did you mount these babies?
I am from the east and have done the...
Justin
Member since
I am from the east and have done the majority of my skiing on the hard packed/ice, but have recently ventured out west and to Europe to do some "real" skiing. I am an advanced, strong skier 5"10 175lbs. I currently rip up Volkl 6 Stars which work well for out here but killed me in Utah. I will probably hold on to them, but want a ski that i can travel with and really enjoy. I am stuck between the Megawatt and the Verdict. I have never skied on a true powder ski before but definitely think i want one. I spent about 80% of my 10 day vacation off the trails and will continue to do that in the future. What is your recommendation, and in what size?
Thanks!
Jamie Preston
Member since
There is a time and a place for a 6 Star - and in it's element it is a great ski, but you are talking a big jump here. The megawatt is a true powder ski, that is fantastic in that element (it is 120/125 underfoot). If you hit storm cycles in your journeys you will be styling and smiling,and they will be really fun back east on many days. I'd lean towards the Verdict though, because it's dimensions (and at 102 underfoot) will give you a much wider variety of use BOTH east and west/Europe. They will work better in the tight trees and bigger bumps that you are likely to encounter. So, dedicated big powder ski: Mega in a 178; more versatile choice, but way better than current option: 180 Verdict.
conan
Member since
I would check out the Zealot, it might feel a little more similar to something you are used to and it will be more fun on the groomers.
The Best Powder Ski
Chris Erickson
Member since
This ski has been my go to powder ski for some years now and it still exceeds them all. They improved on stiffness this year and gave the ski tighter turn radius which helps with maneuverability in the trees. This ski turns your powder day into a video game! Plug in and have some fun!!!!
Does anyone think that the 188 cm length...
Andrew Binder
Member since
Does anyone think that the 188 cm length is too chort for these? I had some S7's that were 188's and I thought that they were way too short. Should I go for these or something bigger like the Ben Chetler at 192?
Matthew Tabrys
Member since
It depends on how big you are, and what type of ski you're used to skiing. For me, the 188 S7 did feel a bit short, but the megawatts felt fine in 188. Could they benefit from having a bigger size, probably, but the 188 is a great ski for what it's designed to do, and it does it pretty well. For me, the 188 seemed to work really well.
Pow-tastic
Angel Collinson
Member since
Best fat skis I've ever skied on. They make any pow day seem bottomless- they cruise, float, bounce, and you never feel bogged down or like you have to muscle them. I found with the previous model of Megawatts (the blue ones) the tip would sometimes track away, and the radius was a little too big for tighter tree skiing or if you had to snap off a quick turn for whatever reason. Black Diamond is really getting their game dialed with their big mountain skis- and it shows in the improvement from last years Megawatt to this years Megawatt. It went from good to awesome. The newer model is way more responsive on firm snow as well, and the improved tip makes it so the tip doesn't flap around on firm conditions, despite the early rise.
teresa k
Member since
What size are you on?
I'm wondering if I should try the 188s I am 5'4" 135-140lbs. I come from a racing background. General preference is to have my bindings mounted at -2. I'm an aggressive skier that tackles pretty much anything the mountain has to offer. I love going fast making huge turns on big steep open bowls and searching for that hidden pow in the trees. Working on dropping cliffs. 90% of the time I have no trouble keeping up with the boys.
My 178 S7s just seem sketchy when I'm making fast SG/GS turns especially when I'm not in the crud.
I know the size I'm looking at seems huge for a girl... but you're a freaking amazing skier so I was wondering what your thoughts were...?
Hayden Beck
Member since
I'm a pretty freaking amazing skier too!...JK i just read that and thought it was pretty funny..(:
Would the Dynafit TLT Radical FT be suited...
Olivier Soucy
Member since
Would the Dynafit TLT Radical FT be suited for this ski or should I stick with the Fritschi Diamir Freeride (I need touring ability)?
Sandy Brown
Member since
The Radical FT will be 2+ lbs. lighter and still ski better. It gives you a considerably more torsionally rigid connection to the ski.
Davis Connors
Member since
I would get a real A/T binding and go with a marker duke or barron. It may be hevier but it will charge like none other.

blackedout
Member since