When you go on holiday in the mountains, finding the perfect ski can turn a week on the slopes into an unforgettable experience. To meet this challenge, we tested the Black Peuf Skimium skis, in adult and child versions. Versatility, performance and fun were the watchwords of this test.
Designed to appeal to both amateur and experienced skiers, these models promise great stability on hard snow, good manoeuvrability in powder and reliable behaviour in transitions between terrains. Our aim? To find out if these models really do live up to expectations, for a comfortable and enjoyable mountain experience for all the family.
Read on to find out what we think of these skis with their exclusive design, designed to meet the needs of young and old skiers alike.
Black Peuf Skimium skis: test methodology
To evaluate the performance of the Skimium Black Peuf skis, we carried out two test sessions in the Pyrenees, in a variety of conditions that were ideal for assessing their versatility.
The first session took place on 1 January 2025 in Saint-Lary, on perfectly groomed pistes in bright sunshine and cold temperatures. The snow conditions were mainly hard, providing ideal terrain for testing the grip and stability of the skis. The Skimium shop in Saint-Lary is a must for anyone looking for great equipment, professional advice from Pierre-Yves and attention worthy of the best.
A second session, on 4 January 2025, in Peyragudes, with milder temperatures and bright sunshine. The snow conditions were typical of spring, perfect for assessing manoeuvrability and performance on soft snow. The Skimium shop in Peyragudes is located on the Balestas zone at the entrance to the Peyragudes resort, making it very accessible and practical for collecting skis when arriving at the resort by car. Philippe, the shop manager, gives practical advice on how to use the skis.
We evaluated the Black Peuf Skimium skis according to precise criteria: manoeuvrability, grip, stability, versatility and performance on hard snow and spring snow. This diversity of conditions and tester profiles has enabled us to check whether Black Peuf Skimium skis live up to their promise as ‘all-terrain’ skis for all the family.
Adult model: M-Black Peuf 80 by Dynastar
Category: All-Mountain skis Recommended retail price: €599 inc VAT
Designed to adapt to a wide variety of snow conditions, the M-Black Peuf 80 combines cutting-edge technical design with an intuitive gliding experience. Its Hybrid Core technology, incorporating modern materials to absorb vibrations, ensures both robustness and comfort. With a skate width of 80 mm and a curve radius optimised to 13 m (for a reference size of 178 cm), this ski offers manoeuvrability and stability, key elements for all-mountain performance.
Feedback from the field
Two skiers with different profiles tested this model at resorts in the Pyrenees:
- A man (180 cm), with 172 cm skis.
- A woman (168 cm), alternating between 165 cm skis in Saint-Lary and 156 cm in Peyragudes.
A versatile and accessible ski
The Dynastar M-Black Peuf 80 Adult Ski stands out for its versatility and lightness, making it a wise choice for intermediate skiers. According to our female tester, ‘these are lightweight skis, which makes travelling much easier’. Although the rental binding is slightly heavier, this doesn’t detract from the overall experience, thanks to the ski’s All Mountain structure, which is ideal for adapting to a wide variety of terrain and conditions.
What’s most surprising, according to the tester, is ‘the absence of vibrations despite the lightness of the ski’. Although it’s not very torsionally rigid, it remains stable at moderate speeds, offering a precise response in wide turns and small jumps. For progressing skiers, it guarantees a reassuring experience without disruptive vibrations. ‘The M-Black Peuf 80 offers excellent stability and intuitive handling, which allowed me to quickly gain confidence on a variety of slopes.’
- The man particularly appreciated the stability and precision of the M-Black Peuf 80, especially on hard snow, where he experienced a pleasant glide and intuitive handling, thanks to Hybrid Core technology.
- The woman highlighted the 156cm model’s enhanced manoeuvrability in spring snow conditions, making turns even easier and smoother.
- The testers were unanimous in their praise for the ski’s versatility, adapting to both groomed pistes and softer terrain.
A reassuring ski for progress
With a 13m radius, the M-Black Peuf 80 offers a compromise between manoeuvrability and stability. ‘This ski turns well at low speeds”, said the testers, making it particularly well suited to regulating speed and improving turns. Although a wide runner can slow down transitions between turns, this ski makes up for it with remarkable solidity, perfect for doing diagonals or skids, without annoying vibrations.
Performance on all types of snow
One of the strong points of this model is its versatility on and off piste. Whether it’s on packed snow or in deeper conditions, ‘it offers great stability and easily traverses heavily snow-covered areas thanks to its rocker’. This ski has a reassuring feel, even in the most varied environments.
The design of this model is a success: ‘it appeals to both men and women’. However, its white colour can pose a problem in the event of a fall in virgin snow, a point to bear in mind for off-piste enthusiasts.
Children’s model: M-Black Peuf 80 by Elan
Recommended retail price: €209.95 inc.
This ski is specially designed for young skiers learning to ski. It incorporates U-Flex technology, which makes it 25% more flexible than the average ski, making it easier to turn and giving better control. This makes it ideal for children who are just starting out or who want to progress quickly. Its light weight also helps to reduce children’s fatigue. Two children (aged 8 and 10) tested the Child model.
A ski designed for ease and progress for young skiers
Elan’s Black Peuf children’s ski is an excellent choice for young skiers, whether beginners or improving. Easy to handle, it stands out for its ability to deliver fluid, intuitive turns. As the 8-year-old tester put it: ‘With these skis, I was able to turn easily and felt confident on the slopes’, an ideal ski to accompany first descents with confidence.
This model, designed for learning, may lack responsiveness at high speeds or off-piste, making it less suitable for very advanced young skiers looking for more advanced performance.
Lightweight and practical for children
One of the major advantages of this ski is its lightness. ‘It’s easy to carry because it doesn’t weigh too much”, commented our tester, a crucial aspect for children who sometimes have to walk in their ski boots, which are often uncomfortable and heavy. This feature allows the youngest skiers to move around effortlessly and make the most of their day on the slopes.
An attractive design for younger skiers
The design of the Black Peuf particularly appealed to the 8-year-old tester, who found it ‘ideal for young children’. The graphics and colours are visually appealing, but the slightly childish feel might not suit older children or those wanting a more mature look.
