Review: Black Crows Serpo Skis · 2024

Published on 01/24/2024 · 3 min readCurated Expert, Maeve G., has tested this product to give you their unbiased, definitive take.
Maeve G., Ski Expert
By Ski Expert Maeve G.
7 photos
Photo by Maeve G.

The Curated Take

4.4/5

The Black Crows Serpo Skis are ideal for mid-high level skiers who prioritize carving and maneuverability. Excelling in groomed terrain, they offer a playful and stable experience at high speeds. While not ideal for hardcore powder skiing due to their 93mm underfoot width and limited crud-cutting ability, they are versatile enough for various conditions. The skis feature a progressive front rocker for quick turns, and their lightweight construction with a poplar-fiberglass core ensures an energetic ride. Best suited for skiers who enjoy a blend of groomed runs and off-piste adventures, these skis are a reliable choice for a fun skiing experience.

Ideal for
  • Excellent carving ski
  • Playful, maneuverable
  • Stable at speed
Not ideal for
  • Torsional softness makes it easy to "max out" for hard(er) chargers
  • Slim(mer) 93mm underfoot: not a hardcore "powder ski"
  • Struggles cutting through substantial crud
Durability
Maeve G., Curated Expert
I have only demoed these skis and don't have them kicking around the back of my Subaru. That said, my ski shop's demo skis get a lot of love (read:...Read more
Playfulness
Maeve G., Curated Expert
There are a couple of things that make the Black Crows Serpo skis a rip-roaringly good time: quick edge-to-edge transitions, middling ski stiffness, and an underfoot titanal plating paired with...Read more
High Speed Stability
Maeve G., Curated Expert
Honestly, I expected more chatter out of a ski this light. At 1,725 grams, the Serpo is no feather compared to some of its all-mountain relatives, but when one puts...Read more
Carving
Maeve G., Curated Expert
As I've noted in this review, the Black Crows Serpo is an excellent carving ski. A few notes, however: I noted, for lack of a better word, a slight failure...Read more
Versatility
Maeve G., Curated Expert
The Serpo, as we've covered, is a highly dynamic ski. Its ability to excel in different turn shapes makes it a weapon on groomers, trees, and bumps. That 93mm underfoot...Read more
Flotation
Maeve G., Curated Expert
While its narrower waist prevents it from being a "powder ski," its progressive front rocker setup, wide shovels, and lighter weight likely make it a good powder dabbler. For example,...Read more
Turn Ease
Maeve G., Curated Expert
I had so much fun the first time I took the Serpo out that I could not stop whoop-ing. These skis transition from edge to edge incredibly quickly, maintaining a...Read more

Curated Experts are not sponsored by brands. Their reviews are based on their honest experiences testing products.
About the ski gear
  • Model: Black Crows Serpo Skis · 2024
Test conditions
  • Where I’ve used them: During my ski breaks at Alta Ski Shop, primarily on groomed hardpack with forays into crud-y bowls.
  • How many times I've used it: 6

Expert Reviews of the Black Crows Serpo Skis

Maeve G. Black Crows Serpos are, first and foremost, fun. With Utah's long (and thankfully ended) powder drought, these skis were my go-to recommendation for any mid-high level skier looking for a good time. In short, the Serpos is a frontsider's hardpack dream: smooth edge to edge, playful, and pretty stable at speed. That said, the Serpos are neither a dedicated off-piste nor a true powder ski. The Serpos' progressive front rocker allows quick turn initiation and throws in some added float, but that 93mm waist prevents them from functioning as an ideal pow-day ski. They are party "boards": they can rip everywhere, but they excel in groomed terrain. If skiers like to sprinkle a few tree/bowl runs into an otherwise groomer-heavy routine, these skis will likely make them a very happy camper. 

Product Specs

Age GroupAdult
GenderMen's
Includes bindingsNo
Model year2024
Ski typeAll Mountain
Skill levelIntermediate, Advanced

Review Ratings

Durability

4/5
Maeve G. gave 4 of 5 stars. I have only demoed these skis and don't have them kicking around the back of my Subaru. That said, my ski shop's demo skis get a lot of love (read: rough use) over the course of a six-month season, and Black Crows skis tend to look better in April than their differently branded counterparts. These skis are durable and well made, but as the time-honored saying goes, tools, not jewels!

Playfulness

5/5
Maeve G. gave 5 of 5 stars. There are a couple of things that make the Black Crows Serpo skis a rip-roaringly good time: quick edge-to-edge transitions, middling ski stiffness, and an underfoot titanal plating paired with a poplar-fiberglass core. Softer skis make for forgiving skiing. Add a titanal plate and a wood-fiberglass core to that equation, and skiers get an energetic, damp, poppy-turning ski that won't wreak havoc on their quads.

High Speed Stability

5/5
Maeve G. gave 5 of 5 stars. Honestly, I expected more chatter out of a ski this light. At 1,725 grams, the Serpo is no feather compared to some of its all-mountain relatives, but when one puts 1,725 grams next to the heft of a more traditional carving ski, holy smokes! The Serpo is a light ski performing like a much heavier one.

Carving

5/5
Maeve G. gave 5 of 5 stars. As I've noted in this review, the Black Crows Serpo is an excellent carving ski. A few notes, however: I noted, for lack of a better word, a slight failure mid-carve when really muscling this ski. Granted, I'm more of an aggressive than a playful skier, so the Serpo's middling flex is likely the culprit here. Yes, this ski operates to the best of its ability with a hard charger at the helm, but it falls ever so slightly short when skiers try to bump hip on corduroy. This note, however, is so negligible that I didn't even want to take a star off my carving review because this ski is still so fun and holds an edge through ice, crud, and high water. That mid-flex does mean, though, that the Serpo is an ideal ski for both mid-level skiers looking to grow and experts looking for a good time.

Versatility

4/5
Maeve G. gave 4 of 5 stars. The Serpo, as we've covered, is a highly dynamic ski. Its ability to excel in different turn shapes makes it a weapon on groomers, trees, and bumps. That 93mm underfoot falls short in a few circumstances. The Serpo could be better at cutting through crud. It does a fine job, but a wider, stiffer ski would do better. If someone is looking for a powder ski, that 93mm underfoot width would also knock the Serpo out of contention. Unfortunately, I didn't get to ride these skis in powder, but the Serpo's wide shovels and relatively lightweight likely allow it to perform relatively well in overnight powder.

Flotation

3/5
Maeve G. gave 3 of 5 stars. While its narrower waist prevents it from being a "powder ski," its progressive front rocker setup, wide shovels, and lighter weight likely make it a good powder dabbler. For example, I wouldn't take this ski out on a deep powder day, but a little off-piste powder poking would probably be very fun on these skis.

Turn Ease

5/5
Maeve G. gave 5 of 5 stars. I had so much fun the first time I took the Serpo out that I could not stop whoop-ing. These skis transition from edge to edge incredibly quickly, maintaining a deep carve/solid edge hold. Given their mid-range turn radius (20), I didn't expect the Serpo to be as responsive and maneuverable as they were. They have a long, effective edge (not a ton of tip and tail taper) and soft shovels, which makes turn initiation an absolute breeze. As a result of that edge-to-edge quickness and a longer turn radius, the Serpos can switch it up: narrower, slalom-y turns are just as possible as ripping GS-style ones. Their classic camber structure and a double titanal plate underfoot make for a super turn-y, responsive ski.

FAQs

What is the value for the money versus other options?

Maeve G. Black Crows 2024 Serpo ski will currently run about $900. This is a standard market price for a high-quality, high-performing ski from a well-respected and reputable brand. The Serpo is often compared to skis with similar capability profiles, like the Fishcher's Ranger 96 ($799.99 on Fischer's official website), Nordica's Enforcer 94 ($799.99 on Nordica's official website), or Kastle's FX 96Ti (most commonly listed at $1,099). These skis are also high-quality, high-performance skis with similar waist widths: "all-mountain" skis on the skinnier side of the genre. The Serpos stand out, when compared to this field, for retaining their playful, forgiving nature while providing enough stability and consistency for their hard-charging riders.

What do you love about this product?

Maeve G. As I've mentioned a few times throughout this review, the Black Crows Serpo Skis were fun. They're quick and versatile, and I could throw them up on edge. They're virtually a one-ski quiver. In short, the Serpo is a reliable ski. It can take me where I need to go, and I'd have a good time getting there.

Find out if the Black Crows Serpo Skis is right for you

Answer a few questions and get personalized recommendations from an expert.
Quiz takes about 3 mins
product-image

Shop Skis on Curated

Black Crows Serpo Skis · 2024
$629.97$899.95
Faction Prodigy 1 Skis · 2025
$274.48$548.95
Line Honey Badger Skis + Quikclick Bindings · 2025
$329.97$549.95

Browse more Black Crows Skis

Völkl M7 Mantra Skis · 2025
$552.47$849.95
Faction Dancer 1 Skis · 2025
$374.48$748.95
Atomic Bent 85 Skis · 2025
$449.95
Rossignol Sender Soul Pro Skis + XP 10 Bindings · 2025
$269.97$449.95
Faction Prodigy 2 Skis · 2025
$324.48$648.95
K2 Reckoner 92 Skis · 2025
$259.97$399.95
Blizzard Black Pearl 88 Skis · Women's · 2025
$699.95

Browse more Black Crows Skis

Read next

New and Noteworthy