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Someone please get the limited edition Black Pearl 88s
- Thread starter Verve
- Start date
scandium
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
O
Or the purple and gold?
I still have to pick up my skis and boots! Haven't yet checked in about the new BP's. I'm actually not sure what size I should get- my old BPs are 153, the new ones are available in 152 and 157. I should probably stay with 152 as it's the closest unless there is a reason to size up with the new construction. Anyone have an opinion? (I'm 5'0" = 152.4 cm for reference).
Phil just mounted the purple/gold pivots on his Heritage Labs. Drool worthy!!
They would look good on the LE Black Pearl though...
I thought the shortest lengths are 152 and 158.
In any case, I haven't been on a BP88 in a few years. I say I'm 5'0" but not quite any more, 110 lbs. The last time I demo'd was at Taos. Wanted the 152cm but ended up on the 145cm because another petite Diva got the 152. I was surprised that I had a good time with such short skis. It was an odd week because even though it was mid-season, there was no black terrain open. My Taos instructor was much happier I was on short skis, compared to the K2 model, 88 underfoot, 156cm. The speciality for Taos Ski Weeks is teaching how to ski bumps, from small to huge.
Think that other petite diva was me!
There have been at least 5 different construction changes in the Black Pearl line. I have liked all of them except one that was (maybe) two changes ago. That year was when K2 came out with the Mindbender 88 that was really good and I thought... ugh oh, someone just bested the Black Pearl.
Later K2 changed their MB construciton and Blizzard amped up the BP construction.
Blizzard still excels in this category
Later K2 changed their MB construciton and Blizzard amped up the BP construction.
Blizzard still excels in this category
You liked the 152cm BP88, right? Of course, the current model is somewhat different.
Yep, mid-Feb 2018. You and I did the Women's Ski Week that happened to be that week. The important perk (that doesn't exist any more) was 4 days of free demo skis from the resort ski shop.
I demo'd the BP98 @152cm for a day towards the end of the week. That was after 9 inches of snow so there were some small soft bumps around.
The 2024-25 and 2025-26 version has a bit more shape and is a tad stiffer than the 2018 model. It is alot more responsive and comes around quicker.
OK so what does that mean for ski length relative to past pairs? If I like my old 153s, should I go with 152, or 158 (@marzNC is correct it's 158 not 157-- all even #'s). I'm aware that 1cm of difference is not very big (0.4 inches for us metrically-challenged folks!)
kapowder
Certified Ski Diva
They do look gorgeous. I can't find a full shot of them yet but I did find this other IG clip where you can see they come in 170. I wouldn't be surprised if you ski longer than that, though.
Blizzard Tecnica | It’s almost time to let the wolves out—celebrating 10 years of Women 2 Women. Stay tuned, skiers. | Instagram
388 likes, 17 comments - blizzard_tecnica on October 17, 2025: "It’s almost time to let the wolves out—celebrating 10 years of Women 2 Women. Stay tuned, skiers.".www.instagram.com
Benefiting the Hilaree Nelson fund would be really lovely.
Ohhh soo cool! So neat to see brands supporting artists. This one was painted by a Taos ski patroller!
I'm actually working on 4 sets of topsheets for Telluride-based Wagner Skis! I'm using snowmelt collected at each mountain to create watercolor paintings of Big Sky, Snowbird, Alta, Grand Targhee, and one more yet-to-be-determined skiing destination. They'll drop October 2026 and I'm terrified but also excited! Here's a peep at Topsheet #1 which will feature Alta and Snowbird.
Attachments
The sizing changed with the more recent construction(s), where we had a 159 to 166, now we have 158 to 164. The earlier Black Pearls had more rise tip and tail so if I were normally on a 166, I'd likely go to the shorter 164 instead of up in size to the 170.... That being said, I used to ski that in a 166 and I got the 170, so I'm going against my own advice.
I'm a rebel that way ;)
OMG. So beautiful. So unique. What a marvelous idea to use snowmelt to create the images. I can't wait to see them.
Oh my gosh, this is so exciting. Do A-Basin!!!!!! Congrats!
(I would probably literally buy 2 pairs if you all end up choosing A-Basin so I can ski a pair and hang a pair
).
RCL
Certified Ski Diva
Gorgeous!!
