If you pay attention at all to ski industry trends, you may have noticed a recent surge in popularity for all-mountain frontside skis around 88mm underfoot. Black Crows does not miss a beat, so naturally they narrowed and revised the mens Orb and introduced an all-new ski in that category for the ladies: the Orb Birdie. Built to the same specs as the regular Orb, the Orb Birdie packs an H-shaped double titanal plate and 3D construction into a surprisingly lightweight package. Like preeminent similar models, these skis are intuitive and quick in and out of carved turns. They hold strong edges and snap through bumps with loads of energy. Black Crows is known for making playful skis, so even these carvers have some of that ultra-fun DNA. The Orb Birdie slots as another ski from the geniuses in Chamonix that upper intermediate to expert women skiers will love. Similar skis: Nordica Santa Ana 88, Blizzard Black Pearl 88, K2 Mindbender 88Ti Alliance.