Blizzard updated the graphics on the Black Pearl 98 since we tested, but nothing technical has changed about the construction or performance of this ski. The latest topsheets are pictured above.
October 2019The Black Pearls are a ski for the ages, crushing in nearly every one of our metrics except for Playfulness and Carving.
The Black Pearls outclass most of the competition when urged to faster tempos. While the stiffer skis in the bunch, still surpass them in high-speed fortitude — the Black Pearls are no dud. The Pearls have enough rigidity and dampness to conserve their strength through both winged carve turns as well as holding-on-for-dear-life fun-as-heck crud turns. Their Carbon Flipcore technology allows them to hold an edge on firm snow easily; even glacial ice leftover from the early season didn't start them to chattering.
While they can certainly hold an edge, carving is not the forte of the Black Pearls. There simply isn't the zippy rebound of the Rossignol Soul 7 HD W to launch you onto your next set of edges. Although they have one of the tighter turn radii in the group, at 16.5m, they don't feel like they love to swing it so snug as that. However, in general, they feel fairly quick edge-to-edge despite their width underfoot and are easy enough to turn. They just don't feel like a “carving ski,” if you're looking to lay down deep tracks on groomers. You'll appreciate their abilities to butter and smear and move fluidly through tight spaces more than their carving faculties.
The Black Pearls finished fairly strong in this category, where their width underfoot keeps them afloat. However, without the incredible rockered tips which the Rossignol Soul 7s bear, it's impossible for them to truly compete. We did feel that the experience of skiing powder on these skis was more of a traditional experience, but relative to those skis with massively rockered front ends. They have enough width that we didn't dive completely beneath the surface, and yet we were still able to be “in” the powder rather than “on” it. We enjoyed!
This is a crud-munching ski. They are stiff, and that solidity is reflected in their capacity to muscle their way through uncompromising snow. For those women who love to cut up the cut-up stuff, the Black Pearls are a superior option.
Unfortunately, this is where the Black Pearls slide down the scale. They are quite a versatile ski, but “lively” does not describe them. They are a bit boring when it comes to rebound and springy-ness. They're quick enough to turn, but there's never a feeling of being propelled into your next turn by the skis. You have to give them direction; they won't take over on their own. If you love the sensation of pressure build-up and spring-back, the Rossignol Soul 7s and the Elan Ripstick 94 Ws take the cake.
The Black Pearls are no strangers to skidding and skimming, and therefore they perform fairly well in the moguls. Some testers suggested they ski a little longer, given their lack of extensive rocker, and therefore feel slightly clumsier in tight bump terrain. If you imagine yourself a Hannah Kearney as you bang your way through zipper-lines, consider the Elan Ripsticks as a flexible ski which skis a little shorter and likes to twist quickly.
For such a rugged ski, its price makes it a steal. This is one of the best value-for-money purchases you could make from our selection of test skis, another being the Elans Ripsticks. The Black Pearls were forced to run the gauntlet in our rocky early season testing, and came out surprisingly unscathed, causing us to believe they are quite durable as well as versatile. The full sidewall construction adds resilience as well as torsional rigidity. The top sheet is also notable; the beautiful feather design shimmers and sparkles in the sunlight even when there are no fresh flakes to supplement the kaleidoscope.
If you are a strong upper-intermediate to expert skier who is looking for something reliable in a variety of situations, the Black Pearl is an excellent choice. This is the Ford of all-mountain skis. If a Maserati or a Porche is more up your alley, have a gander at the Ripsticks or the Soul 7s.
