Description
We find the defendant guilty of being incredibly versatile.
- Semi-rockered tip, mid-fat underfoot, and a traditional tail deliver a supremely stable ride that lets you float in the pow and charge through crud
- 3D Metal sandwich construction combines a tapered ABS sidewall with two Titanal metal sheets for improved durability and greater dampening at high speeds
- Paulownia wood core maintains strength and pop while helping to keep overall weight to a minimum
- 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 Verdict Ski
? Share a...
Ok, 6'2" 220lb, very aggressive skier with...
Michael
Member since
Ok, 6'2" 220lb, very aggressive skier with 35 years on snow, east coaster, most recent ski Prophet 90 which was amazing. Looking for something new...and wider...that of course can do it all.
Line Influence 105 or BD Verdict?? Look forward to hearing your opinions,
Thanks,
Michael
I know this as a AT/Tele ski, but anyone...
eddiemetron
Member since
I know this as a AT/Tele ski, but anyone see any issues with mounting a downhill binding and using this primarily inbounds - Summit/Eagle counties, Steamboat, etc? I'd love to ski more back/side country, but with a kid that's less of a reality these days!
tevp446350
Member since
No issues whatsoever. I see several pairs on the local resorts with full on "normal" alpine bindings. I have not seen them frowning or having a bad time whatsoever.
I do ski mine with a tech binding (Plum Guide bindings) so I can wander in the hills as well as bomb the runs inside the lines. Enjoy and have fun.
eddiemetron
Member since
great binding. do they have brakes for them yet?
is 180 black diamond verdict too long for...
mjmp464752
Member since
is 180 black diamond verdict too long for a 5'10" 175lb male who skis fairly aggressive?
tevp446350
Member since
Nope. I'm just a hair short of 6' but weigh 165' and I love my 180s. Have been skiing them in all conditions, backcountry and resort. For the price, I can't imagine a better deal.
Hey I'm going to University of Vermont...
Jack Ehrenkranz
Member since
Hey I'm going to University of Vermont next year and I'm looking for a pair of skis that can handle the icy conditions but can also explore the whole mountain. I'm much more advanced on a snowboard but i've recently switched back to skiing and i'd consider myself an intermediate. How would these skis fare?
tevp446350
Member since
I ski these in a 180 in all conditions (ice, groomers, powder, bumps, backcountry). May not be the BEST ski for any one condition, but I am hard pressed to complain about their performance other than MAYBE an issue with how soft and damage prone the bases are. Easily could have been my fault, but I've dug some serious base from my skis. Nothing a $20 repair wouldn't fix though.
One thing to note, if you are an "intermediate" skier these have what I feel to be a fairly stiff and unforgiving tail, which means you can launch out of a turn faster than expected and end up in the back seat if you aren't weighted and positioned properly. This is just something to get used to, and it WILL be helpful on the icier conditions.
I'm debating between the Verdict and the...
Tyler Weston
Member since
I'm debating between the Verdict and the Zealot for a one quiver ski, I like the idea of more width under foot with the Zealot for powder, but don't know if it is too wide to be the one go to ski. Any help?
Angus Bohanon
Member since
I'd go with the Verdict for sure; that's sort of what it's designed for. I've skied both in all kinds of conditions, and while it's true that the Zealot is a better ski for powder, it's pretty big to handle through crud and harder snow, and setting an edge on groomers is pretty tricky with a turn radius that big.
It really boils down to where you'll be using it. If you're hardly ever on groomers or choppy snow, go with the Zealot. But if you're skiing a pretty even mix of conditions, the Verdict is a more versatile ski.
Tyler Weston
Member since
Thanks, going with the Verdict, is the 2013-14 season here yet?
tevp446350
Member since
Completely agree with Angus, Verdict is more than good enough (especially at this price) to be a one-ski quiver. I know, I've used it as such. As to it's powder performance, I've have had no problems in 20+ inches of new snow.
What bindings do you recommend with these...
mjmp464752
Member since
What bindings do you recommend with these skis
Bill Porreca
Member since
Any binding would work, if it were me I would go with a Dynafit or tech binding option.
Anyone using these as a spring touring...
Chris
Member since
Anyone using these as a spring touring ski? I really like my BD Justice, but think they may be a little overkill for spring skiing in the Rockies when the snowfall slows down. Looking for any feedback on touring with the Verdicts. Thanks!
Bill Porreca
Member since
A little heavy but the durability of the abs sidewall makes it almost worth it. I think the width is perfect for almost any condition I am a huge fan of 95-105mm underfoot. Add a little bit of rocker to that and you have an awesome all around touring ski that you can still shred in bounds.
Review from an East Coast tele skier
Cort
Member since
Bought these a few weeks ago, 190 cm. I have 4 days on them, 3 at resort, 1 skinning and skiing some b/c in Maine. I'm a big guy, 6'3", 230, skiing 2nd. gen orange Crispi Evo ntn boots and ntn bindings with blue springs on 4.5.This is my first ski of this width, coming from BD Havocs. Conditions ranged from bulletproof in the a.m. and after temp rose into the 50's , deep corn snow by end of day, and variable b/c, 12" powder on top of crust in shady spots to sun baked crusty snow. For me the skis handled all conditions very well. Excellent edge on ice and plowed through corn, surprisingly very easy to ski in bumps. Turn radius was very smooth, in between a large GS and wider slalom turn, they finished the turns nicely. Snapping off quick slalom turns was doable but difficult maybe due to weight and turn radius of ski. Skis handle speed VERY well with no chatter, damp but not dead, this is my first ski with rocker and that concerned me but no problems. It took a little while to get use to the width but once I adjusted I was able to lay it over on edge and easily lay tele trenches in all but the iciest conditions. I agree with the previous reviewer in that this is an excellent east coast ski, very good in all conditions and it's also all I'd take with me when going out west. I'd call it a one ski quiver in all but the firmest east coast days where a narrower ski cannot be beat. One thing to watch out for is that for tele the ski requires strength to ski it well and when the legs are shot it can get away from you but on a positive when I was tired I have NEVER skied on a ski that transitioned from tele to alpine turns so effortlessly.
Bottom line, very happy with my purchase,can't wait to get out for some Vt. spring skiing and impressed with backcountry.com for hooking me up with a price match after I found them significantly cheaper elsewhere, great company!!
Great all around ski for New England
Jim Tasse
Member since
- Gender: Male
- Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer
The Verdict is an excellent one ski quiver! fat enough for soft conditions, stiff enough for ice, early rise tip for great float and good edge hookup, a smooth and stable ski for all situations. Good quickness in bumps and trees, but a solid tracker ripping corduroy at speed. Sturdy construction takes an off piste beating! I liked them so much I bought a second pair. I'm about 165-170 lbs, ski them in a 170.
The Verdict.
ronp46239
Member since
The verdict is a great all around ski. I've used the verdict on groomers,chowder,slush, and powder, over all very happy with the out come.
6'2 around 178-180lb and the 180 worked for me just fine.
Deep Baker Bluebird
Will Cardamone
Member since
Adam Moszynski ripping the Zealot in some deep Mt. Baker pow pow.
billy mcmahon
Member since
nice!
I have an 85 under ft ski for bumps and...
andp350325
Member since
I have an 85 under ft ski for bumps and ice. Was hoping to use this ski as my powder/backcountry/resort ski rest of time. I'm a slalom guy at heart so looking for something at 100 under foot. I will be doing some touring as I'm local in Lake Tahoe. How does Verdict ski vs. something like the Blizzard Bonafide?
Will Cardamone
Member since
I have not skied any of the other similar models from other companies, but the Verdict is a great all around ski. It is my ski of choice for ripping the resort and it holds its own in pow as well. It is a little heavier than a backcountry touring ski. For an all around one quiver ski this is a great call because a lot of the lighter backcountry skis don't handle the resort that well.
I am looking to up grade my tele gear. I...
Kevin Johnson
Member since
I am looking to up grade my tele gear. I am 135lbs. 5'10, ski on a pair of 166 kharu Bears with 7tm bindings. 50% resort 50% backcountry in Calif. I ski in the trees and creek beds most times and deeper snow when it's there. I would like to go with NTN bindings and need some help on deciding on a new all around ski. 170 Verdicts? ,Warrent?, Megawatt? Any Help would be nice. Thanks
Thanks for all the detailed reviews, folks....
JBL
Member since
Thanks for all the detailed reviews, folks.
I'm 5' 10", 165. I've been on 181's for years.
I don't ski trees much but ski most other things. Should I go 170 or 180 for this ski? Based on the BD sizing, I could ski either.
Thoughts?
Yet another length question. I'm 5'10",...
brian
Member since
Yet another length question. I'm 5'10", 180 lbs. I'm an advanced skier looking to push myself and get better, whether it's in chutes or trees here in western Colorado.
Should I be looking at the 180's or 170's? I've always skied 180's in the past, but that was on significantly narrower skis.
Mark Parrett
Member since
180's for sure Brian. Unless you are going to be doing pure mountaineering work that will require jump turns through chutes, I think you'll appreciate the 180 length on this ski. I'm your size almost exactly and have found the 180 very manageable and even the 190 is pretty easy to ski, so I'd go for the longer option. Hope this helps!
how do these ski compared to the previous...
yap2458798
Member since
how do these ski compared to the previous orange version? i felt that the orange ones just wanted to fly, which was fun, but i also want something for the trees. would this fit the bill for a quiver of 1? not sure if i will do tele or dynafit bindings, but would like to have the option of doing either (or both). thanks.
So I see everyone raving about this ski,...
mgl4971932
Member since
So I see everyone raving about this ski, but I have a few questions. First off, I ski the majority of the year in Vermont. So basically a bunch of hard snow, dust on crust, and tight bumps and tree lines. It seems like the Verdict could do this, but could it do this with ease? The reason I'm so curious about this ski is I usually ski out west for about a week each year and would love to have a ski that could take some pow. Finally, what are the differences between this ski and the 2011 ski? Does the 2011 have rocker? Is the 2012 worth the extra $130? And finally, for a 5'9'' and 120 Lbs "kid" would 170 work? Thank you guys so much!
Hayden Beck
Member since
Hello,
I think that you could be doing some thing like the black diamond warrant, because it is the same ski but a littler more narrow, but for someone who only weighs 120lbs (like me and you) don't need much underfoot.
The 170 will work welll, as would a 178, it depends how agressive you are, and how much trees you ski. shorter=trees, less agressive.
longer=lesstrees, more agressive
My skiing friend has the warrants (the 95mm underwaist version of the ski) and he skiis powder with ease on a daily basis.
this ski has tip rocker, but mainly camber.
Best ski ever
kdp5408099
Member since
We went to Big Sky for Easter weekend. Skied dust on crust Thursday and they performed well. Got 16 inches Friday am/pm and they were fantastic. Top of the mountain powder, mid-mountain skied up stuff. Saturday they were amazing on the groomers! Ripped it up doing huge fast GS turns. Took them into the trees, though skeptically, and more fun turns.
Sunday the sun came out and so did the heat, seemed like 50 degrees and they were fun on the mush.
I am 6'1" 200lbs and skied on the 190's. Was a little leary of length but came away amazed. They turned like a dream
I've got 2 questions my first is would...
Ken
Member since
I've got 2 questions my first is would this be a good east coast ski? I am not far from Quebec for skiing and i would also be taking these on trips out west where i've only heard amazing things about the ski. My second question is i am 6ft 1 200lbs would it be too short of a ski at 180 for myself if i am looking for a more nimble feel or should i just grab the 190's ?
DEON NORTJE
Member since
This would work great for the east coast
Ken
Member since
Thanks i don't telemark . what would be some good bindings for this ski
Great Colorado Ski
Paul Hudnut
Member since
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.
View all contributions... Be patient, it might take a while.

Sperry
Member since