Tl;dr: Today, we are going to take a deep dive into the world of Black Crows skis and explore their wide selection of products. The brand provides a variety of freestyle skis ranging from all terrain to big mountain to mountain touring.

I got hooked on skiing at the early age of two at the tiny ski hill five minutes from my house. I grew up ski racing and followed the natural progression to freestyle/backcountry. My love of gear led me to work at the Patagonia store in Burlington, VT, then in the ski department at my local ski shop, and eventually to Curated. I love helping people find the perfect gear for their adventures and sharing my passion for snow.

This article outlines the merits of the different Black Crow skis and how to find the best fit for each skier type. If you have any questions, reach out to any of our Curated Ski Experts.

Who is Black Crows?

Black Crows is a high-end ski brand created in Chamonix, France in 2006. The co-founders Camille Jaccoux and Bruno Compagnet are both pro freeride skiers who were looking to match style with function in their skis. Not finding this in the conventional ski market, they decided that it was up to them to make the market for freeride skis. Their first ski was the Corvus, which was a 107mm underfoot, heavy, big mountain charger ski. Its unique shape was designed to crush through any heavy snow and remain stable at extreme speeds.

The brand is now world-renowned, with ambassadors like Kajsa Larson, Nikolai Schirmer, and Sam Favret. Black Crows manufactures all of its products in Europe with three key lines: all terrain, the big mountain, and mountain touring. In 2014, they lauded a line of women-specific skis titled the Birdie series and have now expanded into poles, outerwear, and accessories.

What to Consider When Buying Black Crows Skis?

Where are you looking to use your skis?

Where are you looking to use your skis? Do you mostly ski powder in the Rockies or icy slopes on the East Coast? Different skis will have features that are best suited to different snow conditions.

What is your skiing ability?

Are you just learning, going a few times a year, or racking up 100+ days a season? Another important factor to consider is skier age, height, and weight.

How much are you willing to spend on skis?

How much are you willing to spend on skis? Are you looking for multiple pairs for different conditions or a single pair of skis that can do it all? Black Crows are a high-end brand and, therefore, are more expensive than generic skis. Price varies between the different skis depending on their make.

What are the Different Types of Black Crow Skis?

When purchasing skis, the first question to ask is what terrain would I like to ski on? Is it groomed, gentle slopes, icy couloirs, tight trees, or hitting rails in the park? That will help to determine the type of ski you are looking for. Each type of ski is crafted to fit the specific needs of the conditions the skier wishes to use them on. Black Crows are made for more advanced skiers, but that being said, accessibility varies between different models.

All Terrain

All terrain, or all mountain skis, are perfect for the skier looking for a piece of equipment that can do it all. From carving corduroy to hitting the park to finding fresh powder stashes in the trees, the Black Crow all terrain skis are designed to handle anything.

Benefits

• These skis are designed to handle a wide variety of terrain.
• All terrain skis are extremely easy to find either on Curatd.com or at your local ski shop.
• Since these skis are made for diverse conditions, there are many different ski shapes and features that can cater to different skiing styles.

Be Aware:

• Not for specialized terrain

Big Mountain

Big mountain skis are designed to withstand the toughest and gnarliest terrain. They need to be able to charge through heavy powder on extremely steep slopes and maintain stability at high speeds. This means that they are heavier and wider than other types of skis.

Benefits

• Able to cut through all snow types
• Stable at high speeds
• Great for floating on powder

Be Aware:

• Heavy
• Not for beginners
• Not suitable for gentle slopes

Mountain Touring

Mountain touring skis are specifically designed to be lightweight for uphill travel, yet sturdy enough to handle almost any snow conditions. These skis are efficient for hiking, but typically not as stable when using them at the resort for primarily downhill skiing.

Benefits

• Lightweight underfoot for uphill travel.
• Maneuverable through woods and in tight terrain.

Be Aware:

• Not suitable for carving on groomers
• Less stable at high speeds

Features to Look for When Buying Black Crows Skis

There are eight key factors in a ski profile that make them suitable for different conditions and skier types. They are as follows:

Length

The length of a ski is based on skier height as well as the purpose of the ski. For example, longer skis are better for faster speeds on groomed trails, whereas shorter skis are good for moguls when a short turn radius is needed.

Width

The width of a ski is measured underfoot and typically ranges from 75mm all the way to 122mm. Wide skis help the skier stay afloat in powder snow, while more narrow skis are lighter and better for carving turns.

Camber

Camber is the arc of the ski profile. It arches in the middle and becomes flat at the tip and tails. When skiing, this arch is pushed down to make contact with the snow for stability when making carving turns. Traditional ski models have a camber, while newer types of skis are partially cambered or fully rockered.

Rocker

While the camber arches in the middle, a fully rockered ski sits flat on the snow underfoot and is lifted at the tip and tail. This allows for maneuverability off groomed trails and provides flotation in powder. Most all terrain skis are slightly cambered with slightly rockered tips and tails, which makes them universally usable on and off trail.

Radius

The turning radius of a ski dictates how tight or wide a skier can make a turn. Skis with a narrow underfoot width with wider tips and tails will make tighter turns, and skis with a wide underfoot in comparison to tip and tail width will make broader, arcing turns. The side cut radius ranges from 15m all the way to 22m for big powder/big mountain skis.

Weight

Ski weight is a major factor when it comes to touring skis. The lighter the ski, the easier it is to travel uphill. However, lighter skis are harder to control on rough terrain. If you plan to use skis on resort only (or big mountain skiing), heavier skis can push through large amounts of snow and give stability.

Flex

The ski flex is how hard or soft the ski is; a softer ski will respond more easily, while a stiffer ski will give more direction and speed.

Material

Black Crow skis are made from a laminated core, with some models containing a titanium strip for heaviness and speed. The core is sandwiched together with composite layers of fiberglass. Bases are made of P-Tex, a polyethylene plastic, while the top sheet is fiberglass.

How to Choose the Right Black Crows Skis for You

Here are two different curated customers looking to find a ski that satisfies their specific needs. The things to take into consideration are the skier type, terrain, height, budget, and any key features they need in a ski.

Ollie:

Ollie is a 35-year-old living in Jackson Hole and working as a ski patroller. He wants to buy a new pair of big mountain skis for his annual heli skiing trip to Alaska. He is 6'4'' and 180 lbs.

Features Miles should look for:

• A big mountain ski
• A heavy, beefy ski for steep terrain and variable conditions
• A ski width between 110-120 mm
• A ski length of 185 cm and up

Black Crows Ski Examples: Black Crows Anima Skis

Ellie:

Ellie is a 25-year-old graduate student who recently moved to Denver for school. She skied a bit in high school but is looking to get back into it now that she lives in Colorado. She plans to ski mostly on groomed trails but also wants a ski that can float in powder. She is 5'7" and 130 lbs.

Features Miles should look for:

• An all mountain ski
• A cambered ski that can hold an edge on groomed trails
• A ski width between 95-102 mm
• A ski length of 155-165 cm

Black Crows Ski Examples: Black Crows Camox Birdie Skis · Women's

Find the Best Black Crows Skis for You

Black Crows is a well-known and respected brand for many reasons, including the versatility of their lineup, style, durability, and superior performance. This is especially true for intermediate to expert skiers looking for a product at the top of their class. At their very core, these skis are meant to be fun and playful for a truly epic time on the mountain.

If you need help selecting which Black Crows are the best for you or anything else ski-related, please reach out to one of our Curated Ski Experts for free, personalized advice.