- Buyer’s Guide reviews
- In words
- Technical specifications
Buyer’s Guide reviews
The charts show our impressions from testing
Product info
Category average
In words
Intro
The Impulse range enjoys real crossover appeal in the world of skimo. The focus here is on solidity rather than weight, with the titanal plate providing optimal grip on hard snow and excellent damping on chop. Carbon has been switched out in favor of fiberglass and poplar for impressive downhill performance. Designed for lift skiing and short uphills with a hybrid binding, or pure skimo with a tech binding. The line ranges from 98 mm underfoot—also available as a women's model—up to 114 mm.
On the snow
Anyone familiar with Black Diamond's previous offerings can forget the lack of stability and easygoing nature. The Impulse is a solid ski, able to satisfy a wide range of skiers. This ski bears all the hallmarks of the brand in terms of shape and geometry, but the reinforced structure makes it effective on all kinds of terrain. The shovel, so prone to chatter in the Helio, here aids turn entry and stays planted even on hardpack, instilling confidence. When exiting turns the tail pushes and accelerates. It easily switches from medium to wide turns, and from powder to chop, remaining a steady, yet fun ride. The extra weight compared to the competition makes itself felt in ascent, but are we really so sure that everyone is looking for ultralight skis that are no fun on the downhill? As far as we're concerned, the Impulse should be considered a benchmark for many other brands.
Lab
Slightly concave at the tip, resolved after seven passes through the machine. No structure, barely any wax. Good edges 1.7 x 2.05 mm at 88.6°, base bevel 0.95°. Finish a little rough but good overall, sidewall protrudes in places, some rust, sharpness needs adjusting.
Technical specifications
Construction
sidewall
Materials
poplar, glass fiber, titanal
Base
sintered polyethylene
Available sizes
175, 182, 189
Released in
2025
Made in
Austria
Price
750 €
Declared specsMeasured by us
We measured the length 182 to get all the details
182 cm
Length
XXXXX
132 cm
Tip width
XXXXX
119 cm
Tail width
XXXXX
98 cm
Waist width
XXXXX
N/A
Edge contact
XXXXX
N/A
Camber
XXXXX
N/A
Tip rocker
XXXXX
N/A
Tail rocker
XXXXX
1.790 g
Individual weight
XXXXX
N/A
Left weight
XXXXX
N/A
Right weight
XXXXX
18 m
Sidecut radius
XXXXX
N/A
Load-bearing surface
XXXXX
N/A
Tip torsion
XXXXX
N/A
Center torsion
XXXXX
N/A
Tail torsion
XXXXX
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