Description
Is there anyone out there that this Zealot can't convert?
- 3D Metal sandwich construction combines a tapered ABS sidewall with two Titanal metal sheets for improved durability and greater dampening at high speeds
- Rockered tip, wide underfoot, and a semi-rockered tail deliver a supremely versatile freeride ski that gets up on edge just as well as it charges
- 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
Terms And Conditions
This Usage Agreement (the "Agreement") governs your conduct while using various services on the web site Backcountry.com and its affiliate web sites (collectively, the "Site"). All references to "we," "us," and "our" shall mean Backcountry.com and all references to "you" and "your" shall mean the user of the Site and Site Services. This Agreement applies to various services and activities on the Site as well as to gear review and product ratings (collectively, "Site Services"). Please read this Agreement carefully.
BY ACCESSING, BROWSING, AND USING THE SITE, ANY SITE SERVICES AND OTHER SERVICES THEREIN, YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THIS AGREEMENT AND ITS TERMS. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY SUBSEQUENT MODIFICATION THEREOF, DO NOT ACCESS, BROWSE OR OTHERWISE USE THE SITE OR SITE SERVICES, INCLUDING THE SUBMISSION OF ANY REVIEWS OR COMMENTS.
Your use of the Site is governed by this Agreement and any other agreements and/or terms of use adopted by Backcountry.com and/or its affiliates. This Agreement shall govern in the event of, and to the extent of, any inconsistency with the Site. For more information on our privacy practices, read the Privacy Policy to understand our practices regarding the collection, use and disclosure of personal information on the Site and with respect to Site Services.
Any comments, reviews (including gear reviews and product ratings), posts, feedback, questions, answers, notes, messages, images, video, audio, materials, documents, data, graphics, ideas, suggestions or other communications (collectively, "User Content") you submit on the Site are not private or proprietary. By submitting User Content on or through the Site, you grant, assign and transfer to Backcountry.com all of your rights, title and interest, including without limitation, all intellectual property rights and moral rights, in and to such User Content. To the extent the preceding assignment and transfer is ineffective, you hereby grant Backcountry.com an irrevocable, royalty-free, worldwide, perpetual right and license to use, copy, modify, adapt, display, publish, archive, store, distribute, reproduce and create derivative works based upon such User Content, in any form, media, software or technology of any kind now existing or developed in the future.
By submitting such User Content on or through the Site, you are confirming that (a) you are the sole author of the User Content and the User Content originated with you and not copied in whole or in part from any other work; (b) you have obtained all necessary permissions associated with the User Content, including without limitation permissions relating to copyrights, trademarks, rights of publicity and/or rights of privacy; (c) the User Content does not contain hate speech or profanity and is not unlawful, threatening, abusive, harassing, tortuous, defamatory, vulgar, libelous, obscene, racially, ethnically or otherwise objectionable, an invasion of another's privacy, or otherwise in violation of this Agreement; (d) that you are not a minor and have the legal right and capacity to enter into and comply with this Agreement; (e) such User Content does not and will not, in any way, violate or breach any of the terms of this Agreement; and (f) Backcountry.com shall not in any circumstances be required to pay or incur any sums to any person or entity as a result of its use or exploitation of the User Content.
With respect to your conduct on the Site or while using the Site Services, you agree not to: (a) attempt to disguise the origin of any User Content transmitted to the Site Services whether through the Site or any third party site; (b) act in any manner that negatively affects other users' ability to use the Site and Site Services; (c) impersonate any person or entity, including without limitation, a manufacturer or owner of any product, or falsely state or otherwise misrepresent your affiliation with a person or entity; (d) interfere with the Site or Site Services, or servers or networks connected to the Site or Site Services, or disobey any requirements, procedures, policies, or regulations of networks connected to the Site or Site Services; (e) upload, post, or otherwise transmit any User Content that with respect to the Site Services: (i) is not relevant to the product, service, person or entity being reviewed; (ii) you do not have a right to transmit under any law or under contractual or fiduciary relationships (by way of example but not limitation, inside information, proprietary and confidential information learned or disclosed as part of employment relationships or under nondisclosure agreements); (iii) contains software viruses or any other computer code, files or programs designed to interrupt, destroy or limit the functionality of any computer software or hardware or telecommunications equipment; or (iv) is unsolicited or unauthorized advertising, promotional materials, "junk mail," "spam," "chain letters," "pyramid schemes," or any other form of solicitation.
By submitting any such User Content on or through the Site, you grant Backcountry.com permission to use your name, alias and any other information (as provided by you) to attribute such User Content to you. Without limiting the generality of the previous sentence, and subject to our Privacy Policy, you authorize Backcountry.com, its affiliates, and sublicensees to share the User Content across all affiliated Web sites, and to use your name and any other information in connection with its use of such User Content, as they may choose. You also grant Backcountry.com and its affiliates the right to use any material, information, ideas, concepts, know-how or techniques contained in such User Content. We are not responsible for the similarity of any of our Content or programming in any media to User Content submitted by you. Any and all rights granted in this section are granted without the need for any compensation to you in any form.
User Content does not reflect the views of Backcountry.com, and Backcountry.com does not represent or guarantee the truthfulness, accuracy, completeness, timeliness, integrity, quality or reliability of any User Content, nor does Backcountry.com endorse or support any opinions expressed in any User Content. In no event shall Backcountry.com have or be construed to have any responsibility or liability for or in connection with any User Content, Any gear reviews and/or product ratings submitted on the Site, if displayed, are displayed for entertainment and informational purposes only. Under no circumstances will Backcountry.com be liable in any way for any User Content, including but not limited to, any errors or omissions in any User Content, or for any loss or damage of any kind incurred as a result of the use of any User Content posted, emailed or otherwise transmitted via the Site or Site Services.
If Backcountry.com determines, in our sole and absolute discretion, that you or any User Content you submit violates this Agreement, we reserve the right, at any time, without notice and without limiting any and all other rights Backcountry.com may have under this Agreement, to: (a) refuse to allow you to submit further User Content; (b) remove and delete your User Content; (c) revoke your registration and right to use the User Content Submission Features; and (d) use any technological, legal, operational or other means available to enforce the terms of this Agreement, including, without limitation, blocking specific IP addresses or deactivating your registration, access to the Site and Site Services using your e-mail address, and your user name and password. Without limiting the foregoing, once User Content is submitted to the Site, Backcountry.com may take any or no action with respect to such User Content, including without limitation, deleting, editing, modifying, rejecting, or refusing to post such User Content, but is under no obligation to offer you the opportunity to edit, delete or otherwise modify User Content once it has been submitted. Backcountry.com shall have no duty to attribute authorship of User Content to you and shall not be obligated to enforce any form of attribution by third parties.
If, despite the foregoing assignment and transfer of rights in the User Content, it is determined that you retain moral rights (including the rights of attribution or integrity) in the User Content, you hereby declare that: (a) you do not require that any personally identifying information be used in connection with the User Content or any derivative works of or upgrades or updates thereto; (b) you have no objection to the publication, use, modification, deletion and exploitation of the User Content by Backcountry.com or its licensees, successors or assigns; (c) you forever waive and agree not to claim or assert any entitlement to any and all moral rights of an author in any of the User Content; and (d) you forever release Backcountry.com, and its licensees, successors and assigns from any claims that you could otherwise assert against Backcountry.com by virtue of any such moral rights.
You are prohibited from violating the security of any system or network compromising the Site or the Site Services, including but not limited to the following: (a) unauthorized access to or use of data, systems, or networks, including any attempt to probe, scan or test the vulnerability of the Site or Site Services or to breach security or authentication measures; (b) unauthorized monitoring of data or traffic on the Site or of the Site Services; (c) interference with the Site or Site Services including without limitation, any type of flooding technique or deliberate attempt to overload the system such as denial or service attacks; (d) forging of a message header or any part of a message header; or (e) using manual or electronic means to avoid any use or access limitation placed on this Site or the Site Services. Such violations may result in criminal or civil liability.
Backcountry.com reserves the right to report any activity or persons that Backcountry.com suspects has violated any law or regulation to appropriate law enforcement officials, regulators, or other appropriate third parties (including the disclosure of appropriate subscriber information). Backcountry.com may also cooperate with appropriate law enforcement agencies to assist in the investigation and prosecution of any illegal conduct. Indirect or attempted violations of this Agreement and actual or attempted violations thereof by a third party on behalf of any user shall be considered violations of this Agreement by such user.
BACKCOUNTRY.COM DOES NOT ENDORSE THE USER CONTENT, IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE USER CONTENT AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY TO ANY PERSON OR ENTITY (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, PERSONS WHO MAY USE OR RELY ON SUCH USER CONTENT) FOR ANY LOSS, DAMAGE (WHETHER ACTUAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR OTHERWISE), INJURY, CLAIM, LIABILITY OR OTHER CAUSE OF ANY KIND OR CHARACTER BASED UPON OR RESULTING FROM ANY USER CONTENT PROVIDED THROUGH THIS WEB SITE.
Share your thoughts
What do you think of the
Black Diamond Zealot Ski
? Share a...
Love em
willhuff.net
Member since
When the snow is good, these skis are wonderful. When the snow is ok, these are great. When the snow sucks, these skis are still fun.
Zealot on the Freeride World Tour
Christopher Columbo
Member since
Hey I am deciding on whether to get the...
Shawn
Member since
Hey I am deciding on whether to get the Black Diamond Zealots or Amperage for a one ski quiver. I like to ski trees, drop cliffs and like to go fast on groomers. I am 5'9" and 140lbs which ski should I get? Any other suggestions or thoughts?
Shawn
Member since
What about the Zealot would make you suggest them for trees and my size? Also what is SAC?
MattB
Member since
Based on what I read in the Zealot would be better for your weight and for trees. But I have not skied either one yet. Just ordered the 182 Zealots myself from SAC. I'm 5'10", 160 Lbs.
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?
Mark Parrett
Member since
Hey Tyler - did you read the Blister review above? I think they really hit the nail on the head in describing the new Zealot as super versatile. Depending on where you ski, I think the Zealot is a far superior daily-driver to the Verdict out west as it does handle crud and pow with ease. The Verdict would be the better choice for spring touring and hard snow use due to its camber profile (just a touch of rocker in the tip) and narrower wasit, but the Zealot can hold it own on a groomer too! As noted by Blister, the new Zealot is not the crazy-stiff plank of yesteryear - it's a very approachable ski that can charge moderately hard or be mellow if you back off of it. I'd go this route if you're out west, and probably choose the Verdict for East Coast use. If this is going to be a touring-only ski, I'd do neither and grab something lighter with some rocker or early-rise in the tip.
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.
Would these skis work well with the Marker...
Tim Robinson
Member since
Would these skis work well with the Marker Griffon bindings? Maybe the Jester? Other suggestions?
Arthur Debowski
Member since
Yes those are both good options, just be sure to get them in a variant that is around or greater than a 110mm brake width.
Black Diamond Zealot - Moist
Kracht
Member since
I picked up a pair of these to compliment my BD Megawatts. I have a the bd megawatts for BIG pow days (megawatt) and needed one to use on non BIG pow days. The Zealot is a great all around ski. They are wicked stable and easy to control. Not a great back country ski due to being a bit heavy. If you are looking for something to use for resort condition skiing (hardpack, bumps and crud) consider the zealot. I will say, the graphics are not my favorite.
no relation to the original
paul steffenhagen
Member since
- Gender: Male
- Familiarity: I've used it several times
Having had the experience of trying to wrestle the original brown version down the mountain, this new iteration is proof that things do get better. No longer do you feel like you're trying to pilot a 2x4 that wants to kill you at every turn. I have these setup with the Guardian binding and run the 192 length. The tail is nice and stiff and resists washing out on hard turns. Some tip chatter on hard chop at speed, but manageable. Tried the shorter version and felt it to be a bit soft for my liking, probably due to the different tail design. This ski has replaced my Line Motherships as my go to all mountain ski. After being on them for a while I wish i had mounted them about +1-1.5 forward of boot center to suit my style a little better
I'm on the fence between the 182 and 192....
mjph
Member since
I'm on the fence between the 182 and 192. I'm still living the 1-quiver-ski dream. Does the 182 ski short or long? And does the 192 ski short or long? Me: 195lbs, 6'0", racing/bumps background. I like to ski fast and get my skis off the ground regularly. I also like steep skiing in often variable conditions. I'm looking for 1 ski to toss in the travel bag to end up in AK, Canadia, WY, UT, or Cham. Want it for 65% chairlifts and 25% sidecountry and 10% climbing from the bottom (ugh). I ski 193 ehps and love them. If anyone has an opinion on this ski in a 182 or 192 OR this ski versus the 185 Amperage, I'm all ears. Thanks in advance for your time and consideration.
anders prokop
Member since
go for the 192, im 6'2 and weigh 150, i have a pair of the 192's and theyre great, super fun ski, still quite easy to throw around and make turns. The only place they really dont do well is steep icy, haha then theyre pretty scary
mjph
Member since
muchas gracias...
Just got the older green version of the...
Scott Meredith
Member since
Just got the older green version of the BD Zealots. They are mounted with Fritschi Freerides on the line and frankly I can't figure them out. I'm 6'3", 195 and a strong skier with a racing background, ski mostly in Bend, OR at Mt. Bachelor. I was looking for an all around ski for b/c skiing and soft resort days. I've detuned the tips and tails at the contact points but nothing else so far. Carve a turn? No. Hold an edge? Nada. Anyone else out there had this experience? Anyone have any ideas?
Hayden Beck
Member since
were they used when you bought them? if so, the edges of the ski were dull enough when you bought them...go to the shop and have them put a tune on them ( or do this yourself)
Kevin Hill
Member since
Scott - any update on your issue? I just got a pair of the older green ones, too. Mounted them with some AXLs for my all around resort and backcountry setup. I look forward to getting on them later this year. I am 5'10" and 172 lbs. I bought size 182.
maestroejd100103519
Member since
Let me get this straight, you detuned the edges at the contact points and now your complaining that you can't carve a turn or hold an edge?
Pocket Knife
Brian G. Sweeney
Member since
These literally do everything!
For context:
I'm 6'1", 180lbs. I got the 192s and mounted them with DynaDuke swap plates right on the line and have skied them with Dynafit FT12s and Marker Dukes. For boots I've used BD Factor 130s with a World Cup Booster Strap. I left the factory tune (whatever it is) - its decent, but i might put a 1 degree base / 2 degree side edge next year.
They totally dominate east coast hardpack. They don't really pop out of a turn as much as a race ski, but they have excellent edge hold. You can really get some good angles and hold an edge through huge fast turns. The 192 sometimes feels a bit unwieldy in east coast woods, but it's definitely manageable. I'v found I can ski pretty much all but the hardest of bumps with these skis. The large radius really lets you get after it in the steeps. This is the longest turning ski I've ridden and I'm totally sold on this shape. They're burly enough to plow through wet, heavy snow and bust through rain and sun crusts and damp enough to just blast straight over crud and chop. I have not skied any real blower powder on these yet. I did ski some high density fresh and they did really well. I'm really thinking that these will be my go-to skis for basically everything except deep powder days and early season / pre-season. Basically if you ski them with confidence, they'll do whatever you want.
Zealots tele style!
Will Cardamone
Member since
The Black Diamond Zealots floating through some fresh CO fluff!
This is the ski!
Nick Devore
Member since
The Zealot is an awesome all round ski. Its playful but can also charge. Its width and dimensions are perfect for almost all conditions. This is my ski of choice in Alaska and on the resort in Colorado. The early rise tip helps it float while the camber still lets it carve and charge. Highly recommended!!
Black Diamond Zealot
PSUskiracer
Member since
Get it! this ski is a blast and you'll be having so much more fun than your friends on their old non rockered rock beaters. YOU CAN RIP GROOMERS WITH THESE.
So happy I bought these
PSUskiracer
Member since
I originally wanted the AMPerage but decided on the Zealots as I am a big guy and was looking for a stiffer ski. The Zealots where a great choice for big days on the mountain. I primarily ski at vail and have these mounted up with Fritschi Freeride Pro AT bindings. The skis are light but stay very smooth through tight turns and let you bring them from edge to edge with much stability. Because of the rockered tip they have some chatter at speed on hardpack but nothing to disturbing. I ski fast and don't like to dilly dally.Buy these as your one ski "quiver" and get out on some soft snow 70% of the time and you'll be stoked. BD really aced this board.
Write your question here...
I currently...
Nic Piatkowski
Member since
Write your question here...
I currently ski the Dynaster XXL Pro in 187 and i'm looking for something with rocker, with a little more width and little tigher radius. The main thing I like about the XXL is that it's pretty much a fat race ski. I like the relatively low wieght and poppy feel and long turn stability but hate the super turned up short nose.
Any Ideas as to how the Zealot would compare?
rob2533908
Member since
the zealot could be a good option to fill the gap youre describing. this has more of a race ski construction than previous years for sure. however, even the new zealot will not be as stiff as your current set up and therefore, it will be less stable in all conditions except powder.
my suggestion would be to take a look at the new blizzard bodacious. it is built like a fat race ski and has a very very very subtle rocker profile running throughout the ski. this allows it to rip on variable/crud/hardpack conditions with ease while having a poppy, playful feel in powder when you need it.
Where on the 182's are folks mounting? ...
Hayes
Member since
Where on the 182's are folks mounting?
On the mount line?
Forward?
What are your impressions?
Thanks.
Brian G. Sweeney
Member since
i have the 192 and went right on the line. so far its great. they look like theyre mounted pretty far back, but thats to compensate for the early rise.
does this years model have better or worse...
rob2533908
Member since
does this years model have better or worse ability to hold an edge in long radius turns on hard snow conditions? also, is this years model more of a charger compared to last years?
Noah Howell
Member since
Hey Rob,
I haven't skied mine yet, but I've got friends who have many days on them. From what they say it's been softened up and isn't quite as agressive. And without the flat tail it doesn't rail as well on hard snow. I would say it's less of a charger and been downgraded to appeal to more people. However, I think it's still going to be a kick ass ski! The longer version 192cm has more metal and is closer to the older green model. I'm a huge fan of the older green model and hanging onto mine in case the new version is too soft.
The One Ski Wonder
Chris Erickson
Member since
I would say if you are looking for the one ski quiver, I would say the Zealots fall into this category. They hammer through moguls and hardpack, but have the width and nimbleness to get through powder and crud. They are stiff,(not as stiff and last years) but they have a super playful way with them. If you can only get one ski this year and you mostly ski resorts, the Zealot is for you!
Comment flagged. Click here to view.
hard-chargers
Angel Collinson
Member since
The Zealots are awesome for a hard-charging ski, for fast gnarly lines in variable conditions. They're great in-bound skis if it's not pow (although they hold their own in powder and are still fun in crud), they shine when you still want to go shred but don't want to take pow skis. Because of this, they are my go-to skis for firmer snow. The metal sandwich construction is a big addition for Black Diamond, and makes for a really smooth, firm, stable, but responsive ski, while the early rise tip also makes it versatile for soft conditions.
Jakob
Member since
do you think the 11/12 version is a big improvement over the 10/11 one? i could get a good deal on the 10/11 and prefere the colors a lot more
also i read the 192cm version got pretty much the old tail without the semirocker
Noah Howell
Member since
The 11/12 are more user friendly, softer and turn quicker. The 10/11 rail more on hardpack and stomp hits easier with the stiff flat tail. They are mean green machines.
Write your question here...the new Zealot...
pablo_rica1154238
Member since
Write your question here...the new Zealot offers a similar performance than the Volkl Katana ?

Noah Howell
Member since