Black Diamond’s lightweight Verdict made predictable, reliable turns in just about every condition except the hardpack. Stability and carving were its standout features, as was its metronome like swingweight, which lulled you into an easy rhythm as soon as you started skiing it.

It did start to feel unstable as soon as you tried to hit high speeds on the groomed, and was not as versatile as some of the quicker skis in this category. Overall, the sense was that the Verdict would be a good pick for someone who wants a reliable ski for primarily off-piste all-mountain skiing, and who would mount this with an AT setup.