Not tested this year’s, here is our review for last year although I must confess 95mm is a bit of a step up in fatness for me. The general verdict on all the BD range was that they were too stiff for mortals and needed good, fit riders to get the best out of them.
http://pistehors.com/backcountry/wiki/Gear/Black-Diamond-KiloWatt
Here is the ditzy but cute Julia Ebser telling us about the 2008 range
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jXaVploeg8
Here is what Thomas Hodel tells us of the 2009 range:
We have made our skis softer this year (this was a critism of the 2008 range). The construction has been updated and comes from the Verdict with strips of birch close to the edges to give better edge hold and less vibrations.
This year Ski Magazine says the following:
This is the straightest ski in its category with a radius of 24.5 meters. The kilowatt is fairly rigid but wide with 95mm underfoot. The ski is fairly different in its conception and in its target audience and you need to have some fitness.
On the piste it is ok without creating any sparks. It feels safe for strong skiers who need to make quick stops or to turn abruptly. It has a stiff tail with a shovel that floats well the ski is really for off piste. Its weight and measurements make it a good candidate for ski touring or slackcountry use (Duke, Diamir etc) even if its stiff tail makes it problematic in crusty snow.
Not really meant for resort use but comes into its own for freeriding where snow changes with altitude and aspect. For skiers with a good a technique.
Here is a video of Julia talking about the 2009 range (yes we just can’t get enough of Julia).
http://video.mpora.com/watch/tGh1o8ab6/
Reading between the lines I don’t think Ski Magazine likes the Kilowatt. They reccommend the Head Peak 82 and the Blizzard Titan Cronus IQ Max in the same category although both a signifcantly skinnier.
