Black Diamond

Bergstolz's big ski test has been taking place every winter for years now - at the end of March 2025, we found the best freeride conditions in Hochfügen, Zillertal. At the end of the season, Ms. Holle meant good once again. Dozens of skiers tested freeride skis from over 25 brands in four different categories. We took a closer look at a few models from the large selection and summarized our impressions in this article.

The legendary PowderGuide snow depth prediction game will be at the Freeride Testival stops four times this winter - and each time you can win great prizes. PowderGuide will be present at all stops to hand out the prizes directly. At the third stop in Warth/Schröcken from March 7 to 8, 2026, you can take home unique prizes from Head, Fritschi, Black Diamond, Contour and Forest Skis worth over 2,000 euros!

In his search for a new freeride glove, Baschi Bender, a long-time PowderGuide photographer, has always taken a very critical approach due to his on-and-off job. This time he seems to have made a really good catch.

The danger of avalanches accompanies us winter sports enthusiasts, but modern equipment such as avalanche airbag backpacks can significantly improve the chances of survival in an emergency. Various scientific studies have investigated how effective avalanche airbags actually are. In a study on the effectiveness of avalanche airbags by Haegeli et al. (2014)[1], it was found that an inflated airbag can prevent around half of all fatalities in avalanche victims caught in an avalanche of size 2 or larger. The non-deployment rate found is 20% and is therefore the limiting factor of the airbag.

Attention to all mountaineering enthusiasts among you: The screws on the Neve Strap crampon (green version 2024) can loosen, causing the heel cup to come off the crampon. Those affected can return the crampons.

The last Advent competition is here. This time you can win a freetouring weekend from 15-17.03.2024 in Pitztal for 2 people, including overnight stay and ski pass!

The Black Diamond Recon LT avalanche transceiver can unexpectedly switch to search mode even though the rotary switch is in the transmit position. The malfunction can be rectified by updating the device firmware to version v1.3 or higher. Black Diamond is conducting a voluntary recall for the device.

With the Session Knit gloves by Black Diamond, you won't get cold fingers on your powder runs any time soon!

The 2022/2023 season is currently in the starting blocks. The first snow has fallen, but there's not much going on in the terrain yet. Nevertheless, Christmas is already approaching, more or less suddenly! As suitable gifts for freeriders and ski tourers is always welcome, we are once again presenting the PowderGuide editorial team's Christmas wishes this year.

Pieps/Black Diamond is calling for a functional check to be carried out on most of the current avalanche transceivers it produces:

Once again this year, the Alpinforum will not take place at the Insbruck trade fair as usual, but digitally. The top-class presentations are therefore accessible to everyone with an internet connection, either as a live stream on Friday or later on YouTube.

Most of the avalanche transceiver and airbag manufacturers were not represented at the virtual ISPO. Ortovox presented a talking avalanche transceiver at the same time as but not "at" ISPO. ABS announced a new release mechanism for airbags for 21/22 and Black Diamond presented an avalanche transceiver similar to the Pieps Micro in Black Diamond colors. There was little else new to report in this area of equipment.