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Black Diamond Zealot Ski
Black Diamond's stiffest ski, the Zealot gives big-mountain freeride disciples the power to charge down the steepest, deepest, and most committed terrain. Black Diamond uses high strength laminates and 3D dampening technology in the Zealot to provide a stable, solid ride at speed. The 3D CNC Wood Core distributes torsional power farther toward the tip and tail to produce a ski with incredible power and retain a smooth, predictable flex. Powder Magazine, Outside Magazine, and Skiing Magazine have allbestowed awards upon the Zealot. Stiff enough for hucking cliffs and making huge GS style turns in the steep and deep, the Zealot caters to the most aggressive skiers. Its fat waist was built for powder, but this ski boasts enough sidecut to rip on hardpack.
Bottom Line: Drop in on steep, deep, exposed lines with the Black Diamond Zealot.
Talk shop with all the gear freaks out there: ask 'em questions, upload/browse photos, and give your 2¢.
VERY POOR construction
By: eri2486854
December 21, 2009
I'm not one to normally review any product, but I'm extremely disappointed and I must let this be known. I recently bought a pair of the Zealots off here and finally got to use them this weekend. The conditions at Wildcat were pretty bad, so I can't say if they performed one way or another. I'd say they'd be good with more snow. However, this review is NOT about performance, it's about construction.
I took only a few runs, came into the lodge, and returned to find my skis laying on the ground. They'd been standing up on your run of the mill ski rack (on snow). Apparently they fell on another pair of skis, because there was a big ding and peel out of the top sheet on the side wall. (these are cap skis cheaply made in China).
The top sheet, in essence, exploded out. I doubt it caused any structural damage but it looks like utter crap. the skis were two runs old. I skied on them a bit more and snow was getting in the tear most likely making it worse.
Anyhow, I of course called Black Diamond to find out what they would say or do. I sent them pics and their response was as follows:
"The damage to your skis looks like more than a tap from a ski or from
falling over in the snow. However that damage will not affect the
performance or structural integrity of the ski. I would take some 2 part
epoxy and glue the topsheet down and that will also insulate the core (keeps
water from getting inside the ski). That repair will keep your skis up and
running and you shouldn't have any further issues with them."
So you're telling me I lied to you? There were about 5 people there who skied with me before and after and were pretty shocked at what they saw. I found the skis knocked over with them all there and found the damage. The only other possible senario would be that I somehow crossed my tips and dug my edge into the other ski. I didn't do this but I digress...
I'm pretty pissed about this. I don't require pristine equipement. These skis were purchased to be used. The fact that this kind of damage could happen so easily is disconcerting to say the least.
They are cap skis made in China. They are very cheaply made and this is why the price is so low. In my opinion, they are NOT worth it. Just stay away.
Big-Mtn Oriented
By: Gee Alsenz
February 4, 2009
Demoed these thinking I might buy a pair to supplement my Havocs. Like Alex said, the Zealot doesn't like small turns. As a tele-skier this was the first and most noticeable issue I have. They respond well in varied conditions and snow-type, and I enjoy the stiffness, but jeez I couldn't get these things to turn quickly in trees or hitting bumps. If you are all about big lines and steeps without turns, these could be for you.
are these too stiff for a 130lb guy
are these too stiff for a 130lb guy
By: jacob thetford
May 25, 2009
I'm a very aggressive 145 lb tele skier, and when I skied the 182s this winter, I found them fantastic in powder, juggernauts through crud, but tough to turn on groomers coming back to the lift. That could be because they're not very sidecut, but I'd say if you're not in crud or pow, they're too stiff.
By: Angus Bohanon
May 26, 2009
Depends on your skiing style. If you are very aggressive, you'll be able to handle them, they respond well to aggressive turns at speed.
By: Alexander Klivecka
May 26, 2009
Zealots like japan
By: Will Cardamone
March 16, 2009
Enjoying the new Zealots and their progressive tip in the japanese backcountry outside of Niseko.
Alpine or tele?
By: Alex Angam
March 23, 2009
I'm sure these would rip as an alpine ski, and I would love to give them a shot. But I actually took these out and learned how to tele on them. Honestly I had a blast, but I can't compare them to other skis as I have never tele'd before. But what I did notice is that these things seemed to be really stable after I got the hang of it. They definitely wanted to go much faster then I could, so if you have been tele skiing for a while and like to charge, I would say these are for you.
What width skins should I get for the 182cm Zealot? 120mm or
What width skins should I get for the 182cm Zealot? 120mm or 130mm?
By: m.ramige2369478
December 3, 2008
You should get the 130mm for best coverage.---I second that!
By: Jonny Atencio
December 4, 2008
Skinning up Box Elder Peak
By: Jason Mitchell
April 29, 2009
At the Base of Box Elder Peak on the way up... These skis are big, heavy and stiff. In wide open terrain, they are awesome.
Less turns, more speed
By: dave.bidle902371
March 18, 2009
I've grown accustomed to making many short turns to keep my speed in check on my prior skinny skis, but this tactic is no longer necessary. Instead, you can just point these babies and go, they are relentless beasts in most backcountry conditions you will encounter- so be ready jet.
Nor For The Faint Of Heart
By: Alexander Klivecka
January 7, 2009
I'm 6'2", 165 lbs, rode these on Black Diamond 01s with RidStiff cartridges. Skied the 182's in 14 inches fresh at Alta on Saturday.
The first three runs on these were phenomenal, they CHARGE it in fresh snow, very stable, and really respond if you throw some weight into them. They definitely prefer longer radius turns, although you can force them into some medium-short radius if you really throw your body around (someone who weighs more than I do might have an easier time of it).
Once the snow got cut up, however, the performance of the skis started to slip. They just didn't seem to have the same energy and life that they did in the fresh. A real handful in the trees, not for tight spaces. I ended up switching back to my K2 Anti-Pistes at around 12:30 pm.
Just not versatile enough to be high on my list of favorites...
Change me.
Research out-of-stock versions:
Tech Specs:
- Lengths:
- 182cm, 192cm
- Dimensions:
- [182cm] 136mm / 110mm / 126mm; [192] 138mm / 110mm / 127mm
- Turn Radius:
- [182cm] 30m; [192] 33m
- Core Material:
- 3D CNC machined solid wood core
- Tail:
- Flat
- Binding System:
- Telemark, AT, alpine
- Binding Included:
- No
- Recommended Binding:
- No
- Weight:
- [182cm] 9.3 lb (4.2kg); [192cm] 9.7lb (4.4kg)
- Recommended Use:
- Big mountain skiing, backcountry freeride, touring
- Manufacturer Warranty:
- 1 Year
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