Blizzard’s Flipcore baseline, the heart and soul of the Black Pearl 98, has probably been the most commercially successful execution of a double-rockered baseline since rocker first reared its ugly head (and tail) over a decade ago. Flipcore certainly has left a mark on the women’s market, where the Black Pearl franchise is a well-oiled sales machine.
The Black Pearl 98 isn’t the sales phenom that it’s little sister is, but then nothing can match the records being set by the Black Pearl 88. The reason for the sales imbalance is simple: the BP 88 is an everyday ski, the proverbial one-ski quiver if ever there was one. While the BP 98 could be the regular ride if the pilot is a strong skier, both physically and technically, but more often than not it’s going to a second pair reserved for powder and powder-ish days.
What makes Flipcore work is the core isn’t stressed into the rockered position at tip and tail; instead, the ski is molded in a reverse-camber position. As there’s no hinge point anywhere along its length, as soon as it’s tipped and pressured, the skier feels contact from end to end. This is why the Black Pearl 98 feels so balanced underfoot and helps explain its dead-even scores for Power and Finesse properties.
The Black Pearl 98 uses a Women’s Specific Design construction, but its shape is borrowed from the unisex Bonafide, a ski with a seemingly limitless envelope. Once upon a time, the two skis shared an identical lay-up, but women rejected this beefier version. Ever since the BP 98 shook off its dependency on a male construction, its reception has improved dramatically. The current incarnation of the Black Pearl 98 is mellow enough to merit recognition with a Silver Skier Selection.
Whether or not the Black Pearl 98 is right for you is answered by a simple equation. If you spend half your ski day (or more) as far from groomers as you can get, the Black Pearl 98 is your ideal mate. If you’re spending more than half your time on prepared slopes, hook up with its little sister.
