Review: Black Crows Serpo Skis · 2023
By Ski Expert
Leo Cocchiara
Black Crows Serpo Skis · 2023
$539.97
$899.95
40% off
6 photos
The Curated Take
3.9/5
The Black Crow Serpo is an all-mountain ski best suited for advanced skiers who prefer speed, stability, and long arching turns. With a 93mm waist and a mix of Titinal and Fiberglass core, this ski provides excellent carving ability and high-speed stability. It also shows surprising nimbleness in tight features, like moguls and trees. However, it is not ideal for skiers who favor a playful, buttery style, or for conditions with more than 5-6" of powder. Despite its premium price, it offers great value for those seeking high performance in most conditions.
Ideal for
- Great for stability at high speeds
- Good for carving with smooth edge to edge transitions
- A versatile and durable ski for advanced all-mountain skiers
Not ideal for
- Long turn radius makes it difficult for short, quick turns
- 93mm underfoot makes it not ideal for deep powder
- Has a flat, square tail with a metal core, so it's not the most playful
Flotation
The Serpo is a very East to West ski so if you typically get 1-3 powder days in a season if you're lucky, don't sweat it when it comes to...Read more
Carving
The 93mm waist width and the more traditional square tail of the Serpo make it easy to lock into your carving turns and use those tails to launch into the...Read more
High Speed Stability
The Black Crow Serpo hungers for steep fall lines at top speeds. It has a 20 meter radius which is long for a ski that's 93mm, plus it has a...Read more
Playfulness
Playfulness typically refers to a softer flexing ski that likes to smear its turns, butter its way through technical features, and be happy to go with your flow. That is...Read more
Durability
There's a saying that, if you can't afford to scratch it, you can't afford to ski it. The Serpo stands up to considerable use and abuse. That's what they're made...Read more
Turn Ease
Some skis are designed to engage in easy quick changes of direction. Other skis are designed to stay locked in and stable as you make big GS arching turns down...Read more
Versatility
The only conditions the Serpo finds its limits in is powder deeper than 5-6". It's happy to hit side hits and kickers, rewarding aggressive input as you charge through all...Read more
Expert Reviews of the Black Crows Serpo Skis
Leo Cocchiara The Black Crow Serpo is a 93mm underfoot all mountain ski with a longer turning radius that makes it ideal for the advanced hard charging skier that wants stability at speed while making long arching GS turns. It's stiff with enough rocker in the front of the ski to make it decently playful for those strong enough to wield it, but it's not the ski for the loose and playful skier that wants to butter around the mountain.
Product Specs
| Age Group | Adult |
| Gender | Men's |
| Includes bindings | No |
| Model year | 2023 |
| Ski type | All Mountain |
| Skill level | Intermediate, Advanced |
Review Ratings
Flotation
3/5
Leo Cocchiara gave 3 of 5 stars. The Serpo is a very East to West ski so if you typically get 1-3 powder days in a season if you're lucky, don't sweat it when it comes to picking the Serpo as a one ski quiver. While it's not the ski I would want for days that are deeper than 5", it's definitely going to handle those days better than your skis from 5-10 years ago.
Carving
5/5
Leo Cocchiara gave 5 of 5 stars. The 93mm waist width and the more traditional square tail of the Serpo make it easy to lock into your carving turns and use those tails to launch into the next direction with more power. The progressive tip rocker is flexible enough to press down and really initiate that turn from the front.
High Speed Stability
5/5
Leo Cocchiara gave 5 of 5 stars. The Black Crow Serpo hungers for steep fall lines at top speeds. It has a 20 meter radius which is long for a ski that's 93mm, plus it has a mix of Titinal and Fiberglass in the core which is exactly what makes it such a perfect ski for delivering stability at speed. Roll those edges side to side as you let gravity take you. You'll feel smooth and in control.
Playfulness
3/5
Leo Cocchiara gave 3 of 5 stars. Playfulness typically refers to a softer flexing ski that likes to smear its turns, butter its way through technical features, and be happy to go with your flow. That is not what the Serpo is. The Serpo's idea of playfulness is free falling down the face before moshing its way through a mogul field. If that sounds like you, then you're in for a good time.
Durability
4/5
Leo Cocchiara gave 4 of 5 stars. There's a saying that, if you can't afford to scratch it, you can't afford to ski it. The Serpo stands up to considerable use and abuse. That's what they're made for.
The glossy finish helps reduce weight and makes the signature aesthetics of the ski shine. If you're the person that slams your edges against each other while sitting on the lift, the top sheet will get a bit scarred up, so be good to them and they'll be good to you.
Turn Ease
3/5
Leo Cocchiara gave 3 of 5 stars. Some skis are designed to engage in easy quick changes of direction. Other skis are designed to stay locked in and stable as you make big GS arching turns down steep faces and never wobble. The Black Crow Serpo is definitely the latter, but that doesn't mean it's bad at skiing tighter features like moguls and trees. In fact it's really fun for that, though it definitely takes a little more skill and muscle than other options.
Versatility
4/5
Leo Cocchiara gave 4 of 5 stars. The only conditions the Serpo finds its limits in is powder deeper than 5-6". It's happy to hit side hits and kickers, rewarding aggressive input as you charge through all mountain conditions. It's definitely not the ski you want to take into the terrain park except for a few playful jumps.
FAQs
What was your favorite moment with this gear?
Leo Cocchiara I got to spend a day on the Black Crow Serpo at Loveland Basin here in Colorado, which is known for having some big steep run outs as well as great trees and moguls. They really delivered when I was hauling on icier hard pack, but still gave me a floaty nimble tip that made moguls and trees a breeze and made the most of my favorite sections.
Why did you choose this product?
Leo Cocchiara Knowing these had a stiffer personality and a longer turn radius, I wanted to see just how well they would hold when I pushed them to the limits of both speed and agility. I was really happy with how they held up in both tests.
What is the value for the money versus other options?
Leo Cocchiara Black Crow is known as a premium ski brand and their price definitely reflects their reputation. In the grand scheme, this is a ski geared towards people who are invested in the sport and looking for that ski they can absolutely fall in love with, and for that, it's worth every penny.
What do you love about this product?
Leo Cocchiara The Serpo has a long turn radius and a Titinal core that make it really fun and exciting for steep GS fall line turns, while still being impressively nimble in tight features like trees and moguls. An advanced skier that likes to go fast and hold a clean edge while having plenty of all mountain capability would definitely enjoy this ski.
