The Black Crows Navis Freebird may be the most versatile alpine touring ski we sell. That is why it has quickly become a favorite here in the Colorado backcountry and beyond. As a backcountry ski, the Navis Freebird is light enough to climb skintracks all day, whether for multiple laps or on one long tour...especially if you pair it with a light boot and minimalist binding. It is also heavy enough to make your descent worth the climb. Those downhill chops also make the Navis Freebird worthy of a hybrid touring binding, like the Salomon Shift or Marker Duke PT. While we do not recommend that many skiers run them in-bounds as their only ski for resort and backcountry (we pretty much shy away from recommending any backcountry ski for that), the Navis Freebird can handle all your touring needs. One of our staffers hunted steep and skinny couloirs in Patagonia on them a few years back. Another used them to mine local low-angle powder stashes along the Interstate 70 corridor for her first season touring. And dozens of mountain folks happily click into them to skin up Arapahoe Basin before or after the resort closes. What makes the Navis Freebird so versatile is that each of its specs strikes a balance. Abundant camber underfoot and directional tails make for reliable edge hold when you need it most. Lightweight and rockered tips float up in powder and track smoothly rather than hooking. Reinforcement plates and carbon hold up to mixed snow, while lightweight paulownia wood keeps weight down. With this balance, the Navis Freebird takes the Middle Way. That could mean it is the ski of Buddhist monks. Or maybe the crew at Black Crows are just really good at making skis. Similar skis: Blizzard Zero G 105, Atomic Backland 100.
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