Skiing magazine: "Black Diamond redesigned its entire 2008 ski lineup. Full wood cores throughout provide exceptional snap and dampness. The Zealot know one speed: hell-bent. Gripes: Unwieldy at low speeds and anything tighter-than-super-G turns. Props: An AK-style charger. Give this monster lots of space and gradient. Tester's Take: 'BD has found a perfect ski construction for the ripping skier.'"

Powder Magazine: "By far the biggest ski ever from Black Diamond, the new, all-wood-core Zealot is designed to match the muscle of the best skiers, and even outdo them. Whereas some fat skis are soft in order to reduce the feel of riding a big stick, the Zealot makes no apologies for being stiff and rigid. The 192 is simply a badass."

Backcountry magazine: "BD's fattest-ever ski, in a 'user-friendly 182cm' and a limited edition 192cm aimed to 'express our relevance in ski culture,' according to BD. Translated: a statement ski for big lines and forces. But as nearly all west coast testers noted, the big, hard-charging ride comes at the price of easy turn initiation. Said one: 'Lots of mass [and] feels heavy. Flows in pow like napping in a La-Z boy. Tough to make quick turns.' Said another: 'Like standing on an aircraft carrier. Smooth at speed but slow to turn. Plows through everything.' Eastern skiers mostly thought that there had better be an alert body in the pilothouse. 'Not a quick turner - you've got to stay on top of them,' said one. 'All -terrain surfboards,' a veteran commented, 'they prefer wide-open spaces."