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Expert Comparison: Blizzard Sheeva 9 Skis · Women's · 2023 vs Black Crows Captis Birdie Skis · Women's · 2023

Published on 02/08/2024 · 4 min readCompare Blizzard Sheeva 9 Skis · Women's · 2023 and Black Crows Captis Birdie Skis · Women's · 2023. Get expert insight below!
Elias Lawson, Ski Expert
Claire L, Ski Expert
Sara Beeken, Ski Expert
Contributed By Ski Expert Elias Lawson, Claire L, Sara Beeken, Mary Ahles, Daniela A and others

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Side by side comparison

Out of stock
Blizzard Sheeva 9 Skis · Women's · 2023
Out of stock
Black Crows Captis Birdie Skis · Women's · 2023
Price
$389.97
40% off
$389.97
40% off
User rating
--
5(1)
Ski type
Freeride, All Mountain
All Mountain
Skill level
Intermediate, Advanced
Intermediate, Advanced
Rocker profile
Rocker/Camber/Rocker
Rocker/Camber/Rocker
Tail profile
Partial twin tip
Partial twin tip

In the world of women's skis, the Blizzard Sheeva 9 and the Black Crows Captis Birdie are two standout options for the 2023 season. Both skis are designed for advanced female skiers who want to explore the whole mountain, but they each have their unique strengths and weaknesses. The Sheeva 9 is a hard-charging, versatile ski that excels in trees, groomers, and bumps, while the Captis Birdie is a playful, flexible ski that shines in carving and freestyle. However, the Sheeva 9 struggles in deep powder, and the Captis Birdie can have difficulty in deeper snow and crud. Ultimately, the choice between these two skis will depend on your personal skiing style and the conditions you typically ski in.

The Blizzard Sheeva 9 is a high-performance ski designed for advanced female skiers. It's the narrowest of the Sheeva line, making it easier to control than its wider counterparts. This ski is a hard-charger, excelling in longer radius turns and holding up well at high speeds thanks to its titanal underfoot. It's also versatile, performing well in trees, groomers, and bumps due to its tail rocker.

However, the Sheeva 9 is not ideal for deep powder days. While it can handle some soft snow, it won't float as much as the Sheeva 10 and 11 in powder. It's also not recommended for beginners or most intermediates, who would likely fare better on the Black Pearl line. But for advanced women looking for a narrower, free-ride ski that's great for quick tree turns and bumps, the Sheeva 9 is a fantastic option.

The Sheeva 9 is an all-mountain freeride ski that loves everything the mountain can throw at it. The smooth rocker-camber-rocker profile makes it responsive and stable yet super playful in softer snow conditions and on any type of terrain.

Elias Lawson
Ski Expert

The Black Crows Captis Birdie is a versatile ski that blends freestyle and carving into a one-ski quiver. It's lightweight and easy to turn, with a medium-soft flex that maximizes freestyle abilities. The ski's short turning radius and partial twin tip offer room to play, making it a fun and responsive choice for intermediate to advanced skiers.

However, the Captis Birdie can struggle in deeper snow and crud due to its softer flex. It's also not the best choice for skiers who prefer a stiffer ski. But for those who want a ski that's forgiving, easy to turn, and can handle a variety of conditions, the Captis Birdie is a great choice.

The captis birdie was my first freeski I've bought, and I've never been happier with a purchase than with these skis. They are playful, flexible skis that can still keep control over sharper, deep turns.

Claire L
Ski Expert

Similarities

Both the Blizzard Sheeva 9 and the Black Crows Captis Birdie are designed for advanced female skiers who want to explore the whole mountain. They both have a forgiving and approachable flex, making them easy to turn and responsive. Both skis are also versatile, performing well in a variety of conditions and terrains. They're both designed to be playful and fun, with the Sheeva 9 offering a hard-charging ride and the Captis Birdie offering a blend of freestyle and carving.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both skis are versatile and designed for advanced skiers, they cater to slightly different personas. The Blizzard Sheeva 9 is ideal for advanced women who want a hard-charging, free-ride ski that's great for quick tree turns and bumps. It's also a good choice for those who primarily ski on groomers and want a ski that can handle some soft snow.

On the other hand, the Black Crows Captis Birdie is perfect for skiers who want to blend freestyle and carving into a one-ski quiver. It's a more playful, flexible ski that's great for carving and freestyle. However, it's not the best choice for deep powder or crud.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to versatility, both skis perform well, but the Sheeva 9's ability to handle a wider range of conditions gives it a slight edge. For carving, the Captis Birdie's short turning radius and easy turnability make it the winner. In terms of freestyle, the Captis Birdie's partial twin tip and medium-soft flex make it the better choice. Finally, for powder performance, neither ski excels, but the Sheeva 9's slightly wider design gives it a slight advantage.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Blizzard Sheeva 9 and the Black Crows Captis Birdie are excellent choices for advanced female skiers. The Sheeva 9 is a versatile, hard-charging ski that excels in trees, groomers, and bumps, while the Captis Birdie is a playful, flexible ski that shines in carving and freestyle. The choice between these two skis will ultimately depend on your personal skiing style and the conditions you typically ski in. So, whether you're a tree-hugging speed demon or a freestyle carving queen, there's a ski out there that's perfect for you. Happy skiing!

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