#3 on this list
Black Pearl 94
Blizzard
The Blizzard Black Pearl 94 is tailored for confident intermediate to advanced skiers looking for a balanced, playful, and versatile platform across the entire resort. Built wider than its frontside-focused siblings, this ski bridges the gap between groomer carving and off-trail freeride exploring in mixed snow, wind crust, and moderate powder. Blizzard builds the ski around its TrueBlend wood core, which arranges different densities of wood stringers throughout the ski length to create a softer tip and tail alongside a firmer, supportive midsection. This engineering allows the Black Pearl 94 to bend easily into turns while maintaining solid underfoot stability and rebound. Weighing approximately 1,840 grams in the 170cm length, it has sufficient mass to track reliably over tracked-out surfaces without demanding constant, aggressive muscle input. The ski balances playfulness and control well, though it sits firmly in the middle of performance extremes. It does not possess the pure ice grip of the narrower Black Pearl 88, nor does it deliver the absolute high-speed charging dampness of dual-metal constructions. Skiers who prefer a stiff, locked-in tail to launch out of carves may find the slightly rockered tail releases a bit too readily under heavy pressure. **Highlights** - TrueBlend wood core for balanced longitudinal flex - Versatile 94mm platform handles firm pack and soft snow equally - Substantial 1,840g weight (170cm) smooths out tracked terrain - Rockered tip and tail allow easy pivoting and release - Highly adaptable across diverse ability levels **Watch-outs** - Not as bite-oriented on icy pistes as narrower carvers - Tail release may feel too loose for dedicated frontside racers
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#4 on this list
Black Pearl 88
Blizzard
The Blizzard Black Pearl 88 is designed for skiers spending the majority of their time on groomed trails, firm snow, and moderate resort bumps. It caters to a wide spectrum of ability levels—from advancing beginners seeking a stable carving foundation to seasoned experts who prefer a fast, precise edge-to-edge transition across variable piste conditions. With an 88mm waist and tight sidecut dimensions (127.5-88-109.5mm in the 170cm size), this ski initiates carves with exceptional immediacy. Blizzard’s TrueBlend wood core provides a steady, progressive flex pattern that holds tenaciously through firm, hard-snow turns without requiring bone-crushing pressure. The construction absorbs moderate chatter well and stays calm at speed, offering the classic, locked-on feeling that frontside enthusiasts depend on. The clear trade-off is flotation. At 88mm underfoot and with modest rocker splay, the ski tends to trench rather than surf when fresh snowfall exceeds a few inches. While it handles hardpack bumps and smooth groomers with precision, navigating heavy, chopped-up powder or breakable crust off-trail demands precise fore-aft balance and considerable work from the pilot. **Highlights** - 88mm waist delivers quick, precise edge-to-edge transitions - TrueBlend wood core tuned for predictable frontside flex - Exceptional edge hold on firm snow and morning ice - Low-fatigue turn initiation suitable for progressing skiers - Solid edge stability through medium-radius carves **Watch-outs** - Poor flotation in deep or untracked powder - Can feel grabby in dense, wet off-piste slush
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Specs side by side
| Spec | Black Pearl 94 | Black Pearl 88 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Women's All-Mountain | — |
| Waist Width | 94 mm | 88 mm |
| Weight | 1,840 g (170 cm length) | — |
| Core Material | TrueBlend All-Mountain Wood Core | — |
| Profile | Rocker-Camber-Rocker | — |
| Approximate Price | $800 | — |
| Dimensions | — | 127.5-88-109.5 mm (170 cm) |
| Core Type | — | TrueBlend All-Mountain Wood Core |
| Rocker Profile | — | Rocker-Camber-Rocker |
| Target Terrain | — | Groomers, firm hardpack, resort bumps |
| Target Ability | — | Intermediate to advanced |
| Approximate MSRP | — | Around $750 |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
Black Pearl 94
- Intuitive turn initiation and release across varied terrain
- TrueBlend core yields damp stability without exhausting stiffness
- Versatile 94mm footprint floats well in moderate fresh snow
- Broad sweet spot suits progressing intermediates through experts
- Lacks the absolute bite of narrower carvers on hard ice
- Soft-releasing tail lacks aggressive race-style rebound
- Not buoyant enough for deep, untracked powder days
Black Pearl 88
- Quick and predictable edge-to-edge transitions on firm snow
- Balanced flex pattern accommodates intermediates without holding back experts
- Exceptional vibration dampening and edge security on hardpack
- Low-fatigue turn initiation suitable for full-day resort skiing
- Lacks sufficient surface area and tip rocker for deep powder flotation
- Can feel deflective when charging through heavy, wet off-piste crud
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