Black Diamond Voodoo, Machine and Kilowatt Reviews
These three skis have been put into demo at Wilderness Sports Perisher by Black Diamond. If you are down that way before the season finishes drop by and take them for a spin.
Today was a sad enditment of how fast the snow has thawed. I thought we'd have an epic spring, but instead with 7 days left in the season only the Village Idiot and the Quad (to Mid-Station) were open at Perisher Blue today. The snow was firm when we started skiing but quickly deteriorated by the timewe had finished skiing at 12:30pm.
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Black Diamond Voodoo 185
Dimensions: 124-88-113
Radius: 22.5m
Weight (Pair): 3.5kg
Binding: BD O1 with Mid Stiff Springs
The Voodoo is the widest of Black Diamonds Effecient Series of skis. They are 200g lighter than the Havoc, which shares the same dimensions with the Voodoo.
The first thing I felt with these skis, even before I hopped onto the lift was wow they feel long. The 185 Voodoo, along with the other skis I skied on today all measure short. The 185 Voodoo skied more like a 190. After that initial impression these skis performed pretty much how you would expect a BC orientated approx 90mm underfoot ski to perform. They had a moderate edge hold, stable but not super stable and very forgiving. These skis would be a fine choice for a bigger, intermediate to advanced skier who rides his skis rather than driving them. There would be better choices for that skier if he was looking for a resort ski but he could do a lot worse than a pair of 185 Voodoos for Australian BC. A bit more burly than a Jak BC (and heavier) but not quite as much oomph as a resort orientated 90mm underfoot ski like a BD Havoc or Movement Thunder.
Black Diamond Voodoo 175
Dimensions: 123-88-112
Radius: 21.0m
Weight (Pair): 3.3kg
Binding: BD O1 with Mid Stiff Springs
I found the 175 Voodoo was surprisingly much more enjoyable than its longer stable mate. I normally prefer slightly longer and stiffer skis than most in Australian Ski Resorts but this time I found myself leaning towards the 175 rather than the 185. The 175 held a cleaner carve and even delivered a bit of pop at the end of the turn. Otherwise the 175 skied like a shorter version of the 185 Voodoo. These skis would suit a regular sized version of the skier I'd recommend the 185 Voodoo to.
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Black Diamond Machine
Black Diamond Machine 174
Dimensions: 123-79-108
Radius: 17m
Weight (Pair): 3.4kg
Binding: BD O1 with Mid Stiff Springs
The Machine is Black Diamonds hard snow, carve turn orientated ski. For an 88mm underfoot ski it has a surprising amount of edge hold. The Machines flex and turn radius also make it a great performer off the piste as well as on. Good edge hold, stability, a nice amount of pop and an ability to cruise as well as charge makes the machine a good choice for an advanced to expert skier who wants one ski to do it all. The Machine is on the stiff side and not the most forgiving ski I've skied so I wouldn't recommend it to intermediate skiers, but if you know how to drive a ski and want one ski for groomers, resort and BC this ski would be a great choice.
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Black Diamond Kilowatt 165
Dimensions: 125-95-112
Radius: 21m
Weight (Pair): 3.2kg
Binding: BD O1 with Mid Stiff Springs
Black Diamond really confused me with the 165 Kilowatt. I have no idea why they would only send such a short length to Wilderness Sports for demo. I would have loved to have skied the 175 and 185 lengths but I think I got a good idea of how they will ski from the 165.
The 165 Kilowatt was another ski that skied how one would expect. It was stable, blasted through spring slush without any worry and they even had good edge hold for a 95mm underfoot ski. When pushed the Kilowatts returned the skier with a nice little bit of pop. The 165 would be a good ski for a lighter intermediate to expert skier who avoids the groomed runs and likes to spend their time off piste or BC. I guess that the longer lengths would be solid off piste and BC chargers. I look forward to having a ski of the longer lengths next winter.
Richard Hocking