Blizzard’s Black Pearl 88 is the super-model of the women’s market, a mega-star that for the first time in the annals of ski sales sold more units in the U.S. than every other ski, men’s or women’s. The Black Pearl had been the anchor of Blizzard’s women’s line for several years when the brand rolled the dice and re-designed it 3 years ago. The switch to a Women’s Specific Design (WSD) was part of an umbrella initiative called Women to Women to create a community of women whose shared experiences could contribute to design directions.
As applied to the Black Pearl 88, WSD sought to retain the feel of a wood core ski in a lighter overall construction. The key to the weight reduction lies in greater dependence on a top layer of unidirectional carbon fiber and carbon stringers in the dual prepreg glass laminates. Compared to previous Pearls, the WSD version came out 15-20% lighter and 20% more torsionally rigid. A further upgrade a couple of seasons ago gave the Pearl a little more shape and more snow contact in the forebody, making an already very good ski great.
The reason thousands of women have jumped on the Black Pearl 88 bandwagon is that all these refinements have resulted in a ski with a huge population of potentially perfect partners. Anyone from a first-time ski buyer to a seasoned vet with decades of experience can hop on a Pearl 88 and have the time of her life. Noticeably light and silly-easy to turn, it’s easy to balance on for intermediates and a gas to cut loose on if for skiers that have the skills. “Loved this ski! ” trills Skylar form Aspen Ski and Board. “The edge hold at faster speeds was outstanding. The ski was easy to turn and felt very stable.” Mary from Sturtevant’s of Sun Valley “loved how this ski handled on a charging groomer and off piste.”
The Pearl’s on-demand dual personality is the principal reason so many women have made it their everyday ski. “Great all-around ski,” agrees Clare from Peter Glenn, who put the Pearl though its paces at Aspen. “I skied a little longer than I originally thought I should,” Clare confesses, “but it plowed through end of the day slush nicely while still maintaining an edge on the afternoon ice on the other side of the mountain.”
For its all-terrain virtuosity and forgiving personality, we again recognize the Black Pearl 88’s suitability for seniors with a Silver Skier Selection.