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Hard-charging backcountry freeriders choose the Black Diamond Havoc Ski, and it has awards from Powder Magazine and Skiing Magazine to back it up. Crud killing, uphill skinning, powder surfing, and switch stomping are child's play for this ski. Black Diamond gave the Havoc a deeper 3D pocket design for more progressive flex and snap in hard snow. A full-wood core adds a bit of weight but a lot of guts, so this ski will still be good to go after a couple seasons of serious use. Whether you're a tour nut with one eye in the park, a tele junkie with quads of steel, or you just go big all around, the Havoc is sure to quiet all of your whining about floppy backcountry boards.
Hi, I am 6'2" 215 lbs and a pretty good skier. This coming season will actually be my first season on ski patrol. I have never really been into my equipment and am looking to learn more. I am definitely looking to get into more alpine touring.
Would this ski at 185 be a good length for me? Please let me know and if there is any information about this ski.
I believe in the quiver and the Havoc rounds out the skinny end of my tool bag really nicely. This is the ski for slicing and dicing in the sketchy steeps. I love how quick it is to come around and grab hold of the slope. It's light and we all know that's right, but she'll also rip fast and solid once things open up. I find it's too narrow for pow, but I'm a big fella trying to make tele turns and I need a bigger platform underfoot.
Size=185cm, I'm 6'2" 190lbs, skied with O1 binding and Scarpa T1 or T-Race
I'm 5'5", 125#, ski aggressive. Have my resort teles, need bc teles. Not much of a tree guy. I like a variety of turns, quick or long and sculpted. West and east skier. Use Scarpa t2x. Thinking bd voodoo in a 165cm. Good choice? Thanks.
Great all-around ski for everything except the deepest days. Extremely snappy, while these skis love to turn they have no problem opening it up a little for some high speed carving. Light enough to not weigh you down on those long tours yet burly enough to hold an edge on 50 degree ice. I would recommend these skis a single quiver ski for most places. In Utah and other places that get large amounts of snow regularly I would prefer something a little bigger like the Verdict as an all-around ski. I am 5'11", 155 and ski very aggressive and the 185 feels perfect for me.
I am 5'7/157 and currently have the Rossignol B3s as my all mountain ski and they are very versatile and loyal under all conditions, although it chatters at higher speeds. I ski pretty much everything under any conditions and I want to switch to AT and I wonder what ski to choose for 60~70/30~ out-in. The Havocs 165 seem to be very much what I am looking for, but as light skier I still would like to count with the responsiveness of the B3 on deep snow. Could someone advise?. Other skis seen are: Mt.Baker, Rapid Transit and RT86. What do you think?. I am bit lost here as there are so many good options!
this is was my go to ski for many years. I spent two years patrolling using this for everything except powder. you won't find a better ski for the maritime snow pack of the cascades or sierras. the 175 was a bit short so i would go with the 185 next time
With no easy way to get there, the Coalpit headwall remains a Wasatch classic. With an approach of 5,000'+ the Havoc was my ski of choice for this line.
So I'm thinking about getting an AT set up.Pretty much decided on Dynafit bindings.For skis I'm stuck trying to figure out if I should swap out the bindings on my 2yo 184 Mantras or go with something lighter like 185 Havocs or even lighter the 181 K2 Mt.Baker.Kinda concerned about the K2's soft flex.I'm 6'0" 190 lbs. and aggressive skier.
New to AT, planning to learn. @6-1/215, probably need a 185, right? Any recs on boot/bindings? Ski strong throughout resort, mostly all ungroomed and looking to take BC day trips.
I ski fritschi freerides with the BD Havoc. I like this option because it provides a nice setup that I can toggle between resort and backcountry. The binding works with both an Alpine and AT boots. I still ski an Alpine boot in the Backcountry to save $. You might consider a lighter, more svelte binding if your trying to keep the weight down: http://www.backcountry.com/store/DNF0014/Dynafit-TLT-Vertical-Race-Ti-Binding.html.
I am thinking about replacing my BD Crossbows (178s; setup: G3 T/9s - Scarpa T1s) with the Havocs. I am 5'9"/175lbs, ski 60/40 resort/BC here in New England. I do make it out to the West a few times a year for some BC skiing, but ski primarily here in the trees. Question is, 175 or 185s?
That's a preference call there. In trees I like to ride a bit shorter a ski, just so I can be a little more relaxed, but resort skiing and your size you would probably benefit from a mid size ski here. The 185 should be decent, but will force a little more aggressive style out of you in the trees.
Excellent ski in the crud and if you want to carve on the groomers. However, there isn't a lot of flotation in deep pow. I tested these at Alta this weekend. That being said, the Havoc is an excellent all around ski if the conditions are variable.
how do these skis compare with the k2 obSETHed a friend of mine told me to check these out instead of them. im looking for an all mountain powder ski and im 6'2" about 175?
Just had my first day in the backcountry on these. The skiing conditions were horrible, or so I heard someone else say. I didn't notice. I was loving it! These skis hold an edge like crazy, and allowed me to slice and dice some very ugly icy terrain with out batting an eye. I'm amazed. This is my first true AT ski, and I may never go back to dedicated alpine gear. Have mounted with Fritschi Free Rides which also blew me away. I'm 5'8" 150lb and an all mountain expert skier. I used the sizing chart to select the 165cm ski. Loved the short and light length today. Hopefully they'll perform well cruising groomers also.
I'm 5'10" and a little heavier at 190. I ski 65/35 BC to resort and am wondering if I should get these in 185, or if that would be too long. Or if I should get the Verdict's in 180.
Depends on where you are skiing. If you are skiing in the west (tahoe, jackson, utah etc.) then I would definitely go for the 180 Verdict because they are quite a bit better in the pow. If you are skiing in the east then you will probably prefer the skinnier Havoc for its quickness and carving ability.
I just picked up a pair of these for a killer price (225 still in plastic) to use in the teton range backcountry area. So mostly for powder. Will these handle powder just fine? I;ve noticed a few reviews that appear to say no on the pow.
Havoc or Atomic RT86? I am looking for a tele ski to do a bit of everything, though I will be spending most of my time at the resort in the East. I need something to hold an edge and carve. I am an aggressive tele-skier who likes to turn and who likes speed. 10+ years on telemark skis. I really like the reviews of the Havoc, but I am concerned about it not being very quick edge to edge and not holding well on the firm and on the ice. I am worried that the RT86's might be too light for speed and for varied snow. Any suggestions?Thanks.
I use the Havoc as my go-to tele ski.I skied VT for the past 8 years, including trips to the oh-so-icy Tuckerman's, and these were my ski of choice. Ive had nothing but good luck with the 185 in gnarly tree lines, crust on dust, mank, bumps, high-speed groomers, and park. THis really is my all-mtn ski. I recently moved to MT and the ski still works for days up to 2' pow. I highly recommend the Havoc for telemarkers, esp people who want a responsive ski. The critics about ice probably dont know how to tune their skis nor hold an edge. Buy em. You'll be stoked you did.
it would depend on what kind of skiing you like to do, the 175 wold be quicker in trees, however i am the same build and liked the 185s better, remember it being a twin tip they ski shorter, so i found when i was laying out long fast turns the shorter ski seamed like i was skiing on a 170. i would go with the 185
tried the zealot and verdict on the same day and those are great for the deep pow, this is great for all around lovin'. compared to a k2 I felt like they are more responsive and hold their edge more. seems like everyone is going WIDER these days so as far as wideness goes your not going to be the top of the class but these still do great floating in the stashs you find along the way. these coupled with a BD 01 will make your 09 season epic.
looking to spring on a new pair of twin-tip mid fats, and slapping some AT bindings for my first true backcountry set-up... I'll be skiing in-bounds a majority of the time, but will be seeking the OB more and more... I'm caught between the BD Havocs and Line Prophets, seeing pros and cons for each... Anyone have some advice for me making my selection?
the two skis you picked are quite different. torsionally they are both quite stiff however i think the BD is a much snappier ski. however, i am sure you would be stoked with either setup. personaly i ski on a 185 havoc and i love em. for an groomer, crud, mank, anything but powder, it is a great ski.
Trying to decide between 175 and 185cm Havoc for BC touring and climbing. Am 5' 11'', weigh 160lb (naked), expert older skier, like trees, steeps, and ability for short turns rather than speed. Currently use 183cm for alpine resort use, and would not want shorter for that, but I'm wondering whether the 175 Havoc would be better for touring given width (more than my alpine skis) and the benefits of reducing weight and length for carrying. Any advice?
For BC use, I would say go with the 185. They will be able to handle the variable conditions easier (everything from powder to corn to crud to hardpack). However, if you really do enjoy skiing a shorter ski, the 175 will work as well. It is really a matter of personal preference.
I just got a pair of these and a friend said that I should "de-tune" the tips and tails. I was wondering if that was really useful to do and how to do so if it is.
It's not that big a deal but it does help, if you have a sharpening stone for edges just take the edge off, or a lot of ski shops won't even charge you for it.
I am still new at the whole tele thing with about 30 ski days last year and I want some new backcounty planks. I am debating between the bd havocs, bd voodoos, and k2 anti piste. Any suggestions?
BD made a great ski here. Combined with my fritschi freerides this has been a sweet setup. I'd like to try the newer model but mine still have a lot of life left after skiing them hard for two seasons in the Wasatch.
I am looking for a solid backcountry performer. I have a pair of ethics (don't like much to small on waist), and am looking for something new. I am comparing the Havocs with the Atomic Kailas, anyone know which is better or if there is another ski I should consider? Thanks.
OK so I am giving up on my painful Tele learning curve and going to a Ron/AT set-up...focusing on Havoc for my "one ski" with Dynafit TLT Comfort and probably Dynafit Zzero C TF boot...I ski advanced alpine; BC Inter... but my heart is in BC and skinning up to ski down is my future..snow here [Wallowa Mts] is mostly powder..but I really want to be able to ski it all and crust happens here a lot....185 and 5'10"...Havoc, Verdict or Kilowatt or ??? what is the real world difference on the snow with these skis? Any advice welcomed..thanks.
Havocs will do. You may want to split the difference and get the verdict. How much of a "weight weenie" are you? Thats the real question. I skin with beefy skis and binders cause the downhill is all I have in mind. If you are just out for long tours then go light weight. Remember, more ski= more skin.--------------I am officially disappointed in you for giving up on teleing.
Right here:http://www.backcountry.com/store/BLD1105/Black-Diamond-Ascension-Custom-STS-Climbing-Skins.htmlOrder the right length and any width that's wider than the waist (I'd go 110 on Havocs) and then cut them down and voila! Custom shaped skins._____________________________________You might also want to check out the G3 skins, in my opinion they have a much superior tip attachment that reduces snow buildup on the tip._______Look for BD's custom skins that may be already cut EXACTLY for your exact BD skis and length.
I'm 6' and weight 165lbs, intermediate skier. This is going to be my only ski for resort and BC. Would have gone 175 but reading this....185?Also how does this stack up against the G3 Spitfire and Karhu Spire? Pros' and cons?
I can't help you with the comparison with the other skis, but I'd definitely go with the 175s. My coach is about the same size as you but he's sponsored by Black Diamond and skis and races professionally on the 185s. If you're intermediate, I'd go 175.
Go for the 185s for sure. That'll give you enough bounce to power through your turns. If you're super aggressive and these aren't stiff enough, send them back and go for the same size in the Verdict.
Im 5'6 and weigh 155 I want the Havoc to be my all around ski. I ski some tight steep chutes in the Wasatch backcountry with variable crud and pow. Should I go 165 or 175?
Absolutely. The Havoc is a very stiff ski. My ski coach is 165 pounds and teles competitively, and he uses the 185s. 175 will be plenty of ski to handle until you start throwing yourself into your turns a bit more.
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