Why we chose the Black Diamond Cirque 78: Lightweight, responsive, efficient
Lengths (cm): 161, 169 & 177
Sidecut (mm): 110 / 78 / 99 (169 cm)
Radius: 18.5 m (169 cm)
Rocker Profile: Rocker-Camber-Rocker
Weight (per ski): 980g
Price: £650 / €700 / $850
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While Black Diamond may have branched away from their ski mountaineering heritage with the all-new Impulse line of freeride skis, their commitment in creating high-performance ski touring skis remains at the heart of what they do – and this can be seen with the impressive Cirque 78.
“Their commitment in creating high-performance ski touring skis remains at the heart of what they do”
The Black Diamond Cirque 78 is the lightest ski in Black Diamond’s diverse range of touring skis. With a waist width of 78 mm, a pre-preg carbon layup and Paulownia wood core, you’ve got a pair of skis that remain hyper-light on the uphill and uber stiff to hold their own on the down.
Black Diamond Cirque 78 Build
First thing to note is, of course, that sub-1kg weight per ski. The 169 cm length comes in at 980 grams per ski. Pair these with a race binding, like the ATK Kuluar, and you’ve got a setup that’ll come in lighter than most dedicated ski touring boots.
Black Diamond has achieved this (lack of) weight by, quite unsurprisingly, opting for a carbon build. Now, if you’re unaware, carbon offers the highest level of strength at an extremely low weight penalty. Weight has been further stripped by using pre-impregnated carbon laminates. Pre-preg carbon uses exact amounts of epoxy resin when laminated, rather than traditional wet layups, where extra resin could be used, increasing the weight of the ski.
