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Black Diamond Megawatt Ski
On those glorious mornings when there’s a double-digit number in the snow report, the super-fat, powder-addicted Black Diamond Megawatt Ski begs for untracked lines through bottomless fresh. This zero-camber beast returns this year with a fresh design for added pop and stability regardless of conditions. When the snow stacks up though, the Megawatt’s long rocker tip and massive underfoot width keep you floating along in a snorkel-puff nirvana.
- Long rocker tip, wide platform and zero camber provide unparalleled performance in deep powder
- Internal Wall Core Technology uses poplar with birch sidewalls for more pop and better edge hold
- Formula One geometry features three internal ribs for hard snow performance and improved turning
Bottom Line: Megawatt’s the name, powder’s the game.
Talk shop with all the gear freaks out there: ask 'em questions, upload/browse photos, and give your 2¢.
Booting the summit of Mount Nebo
By: Noah Howell
September 3, 2009
Review Title
By: Nick Devore
September 4, 2009
Some people like the Megawatts but they are just too big and sloppy for me, dont get me wrong they are loads of fun on deep days but I just all around prefer the new Zealots with a slight rocker tip. Without camber and side cut they just skip all over the place, I like a ski that cuts through the snow, not one that slides sideways when you try and turn. It is also a bit too wide for landing airs and is heavy for touring. Fun but not my favorite. Unless you can afford to have a full quiver including the megawatts for those 3ft utah days I wouldnt recommend it them. I have narrowed my quiver down to the kilowatts for groomer and bumps and hard resort days and the zealots for everything else. When traveling light to ski I would only bring my zealots, they preform surprisingly well on groomers and resort.
4 Comments Last Comment: October 17, 2009 by: Ben Lyman
By: Ben Lyman
October 17, 2009
awinstanle#: A friend who skis them says that they are so wide that you don't even have to worry about the landing, "because you're taking it with you."
By: E Lovely
October 14, 2009
sounds like he just needs more speed!!!
By: robsta
October 1, 2009
Thanks for this review Nick, it makes an excellent points rather than many of the "mega is teh best" ones.
Saving up for 182 Zealot, should work well in yurp conditions ...
By: awinstanle564865
September 19, 2009
They're too wide for landing airs?!?!?!
edgerly shredding the trees
By: Nick Devore
September 10, 2009
Holy cold smoke batman!
By: Andy Jacobsen
September 30, 2009
These skis are incredible. I can not say enough good things. The tip rocker make these skis very turnable even in the 188 length. So do not be afraid to buy them as long or a little longer than you are used to. For telemark skiers the dreaded "tip dive" is virtually eliminated by the unsinkable rockered tip on the Megawatt. The progressive flex gives this ski a nice tail that can handle hard charging skiers no problem yet this ski still seems to be the most user friendly fat ski I have ever skied. 5 stars really doesn't do it. As far as powder big-mountain boards go this ski is 6 stars for sure!
I have skied them at +2, which is where I always ski unless I'm in the park. They handle really well, especially since it shortens up the swing on them, and makes trees slightly easier. +1 wouldn't make a big, noticeable difference in the performance I don't think though.
By: Shane O'Donnell
October 29, 2009
Tom Jungst
By: tom jungst
September 14, 2009
I used the Megawatt's the past two years and filming for Greg Stump's, Legend Of Ahhhs. This shot was in the Lost Lake Cirque on the west face of Lone Peak, Big Sky MT. I love the Megawatt's but at the end of this day my knee was so swollen that Mike Mannelin had to carry them out or I'd still be back there! It was obviously worth it! Greg and I spent a lot of time talking about the influence of his movies on the development of skis and ski areas. It was in 1988 Schmidt and I stood on top of Lone and encouraged Johnny Bad, the owner to put a tram to the top. Now it is guys pushing the same limits out here that make this the future terrain. Despite the size of the ski I have been totally confident on almost every condition except steep bulletproof. I'm 51 so strengths of days long ago are gone and yet these skis breathed new life into the sport for me! My son and I were able to try the new mega's last spring and it was fun to watch him take right to them as well. So, I'm not crazy, these are a ski for the quiver IMHO.
Back in Blue!
By: Noah Howell
September 3, 2009
The same old trusty powder slayer with a fresh coat of paint. I still feel the way about them as I did when I first posted a review two years ago.
"Warning, this may read like a bad infomercial, but I'm really in love with these skis.
How do you make 4" feel like 8", 8" feel like 16" and over 2 feet of snow the most fun you've ever had. Behold the Megawatt! Hands up, or hands down the best powder ski I've ever had the pleasure of playing with. We've had some really deep days this winter and it's nice to finally be on a ski that I can say is fat enough. No more wallowing and poling your way out when the slope flattens, these boards bring the fast flotation. The front rocker helps in several ways. The ski turns quickly, it eliminates the classic tip dive tele tumble and makes crusts, upside down pow, and variable snow a pleasure. Accidentally ended up not skiing powder one day and it was a big surprise to find they actually rail on the hardpack as well. They have acquired the nickname "Mega-what", due to all the questions folks ask when they are seen touring around the backcountry. With big skis comes more weight to lug around and I'm down with "light is right", but these are worth every pound and they come with me whenever there's fresh snow on the ground now. If I wasn't clear, I like them very much and highly recommend them if you ski powder often."
Tons o' Fun!
By: matchew34347191
October 22, 2009
These skis are a blast on big pow days and even on days when the slopes have tons of tracks. The Megawatts the crud skiing from bump to bump. Not for all mountain skiing, but I still enjoyed them on front side trails while working towards the back country.
What kind of bindings work with this wide a waist? I cannot find
What kind of bindings work with this wide a waist? I cannot find a binding with brakes that span 125mm. Additionally, will the brakes need to be greater ( > ) than 125mm or greater than or equal ( ≥ ) to 125mm?
By: shamp.jeff
October 28, 2009
You can get marker royal family bindings with brakes that are 130mm wide. So either the griffons or jesters or baron or duke. You might have to purchase the 130mm brakes separately though.
By: Lukas Duddleston
October 28, 2009
Mega, Justice, Verdict
By: tom jungst
September 14, 2009
So many choices. Play day at the Bird, march 09
Review Title
By: E Lovely
October 14, 2009
I love these skis but the mounting point is way old school/tele. Get them mounted a bit forward (3 to 6cm) for maximum pleasure. Nice and floaty, kill crud and are stable on groomers. I am remounting mine with Dukes. I'm told that the rocker is okay for skinning with these, especially if you aren't going for 6k vert on an icy track.
The Best Ski of 2008
By: John Bresee
September 21, 2009
This ski is fantastic in all off-piste except firm. They get a bit twitchy at very high-speeds.
I am about 5'10" and 160 ... right on the line for either
I am about 5'10" and 160 ... right on the line for either length. I got to ski the 178's last year on several deep days and loved them. I unfortunately never got to take out the bigger size. I didn't feel like the 178's were floppy or not enough ski for me, but wonder what I am missing on the bigger boards, I ski a 178 Legend Pro most days. I am not really into going as fast and straight at all times. What size should I get??? With the giant shovel what does the larger size really feel like?
By: freunder1297417
September 10, 2009
The general rule of thumb with rockered skis is to go 5 to 10 cm longer than you normally go, because the rocker makes it more maneuverable and you have less edge contact on harder snow. This make it easier to ski in both pow and on the groomers. I would go with the larger size, you will get more floatation in the pow, and more stability in all conditions. The ski is really nimble, fun and easy to ski. The 188 is the way to go. I skied this ski for a little bit last season in the 188 and really enjoyed it. I would feel like a little awkward on the shorter version. I'm 5'8" 160, so roughly the same size as you.
By: Matthew Tabrys
October 1, 2009
I would say go with the bigger size. I am pretty much the same size as you and have skied the 188 and because of the long rocker and the shorter base contact they actually ski shorter than their printed size. Be ready to go fast and get buttery with those turns.
By: Will Cardamone
September 30, 2009
Write your answer here...I would probably say get the larger size, the shovel tip allows for easy turning and the surface area actually is alot smaller than the length. If your going for the megawatts you may as well go big right.
By: Nick Devore
September 10, 2009
Change me.
Research out-of-stock versions:
Tech Specs:
- Lengths:
- 178cm, 188cm
- Dimensions:
- [178cm] 147 / 120 / 126mm; [188cm] 153 / 125 / 130mm
- Turn Radius:
- [178cm] 38m; [188cm] 42m
- Construction:
- Double Torsion Box Wrap
- Core Material:
- Poplar & birch
- Base:
- Sintered
- Tail:
- Raised
- Recommended Binding:
- Any
- Weight:
- 10lb 10oz (4800g) per pair
- Recommended Use:
- Big lines, deep snow, touring, and resort
- Manufacturer Warranty:
- 1 Year
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