The OG Crow gets a modern update
The Black Crows Corvus is the original black crow. It was the first ski they produced and has accumulated a cult following over the years. So when we heard there was a new Corvus in town, we were excited to get on it and see how it stacks up in the busy world of mid-fat skis. Read on to hear our staff’s thoughts in our Black Crows Corvus review.
The 108mm-112mm category is crowded. It’s also one of the hottest categories to build skis in now, as folks gravitate towards wider skis for stability in deep conditions while retaining some agility for tight terrain. Personally, in big-mountain terrain, I have no desire to be on a 115mm ski when navigating chutes or lining myself up for a drop. At the same time, having a wider platform than your ~100mm skis gives a more solid platform for landings and more stability at speed and in deep snow. So, it is the sweet spot in big-mountain skiing, and what I’d recommend to anybody looking to ski in steep and deep terrain.
Black Crows Corvus Review: Field Notes
The new Black Crows Corvus has one major difference over previous models: it has camber. Not a lot—the camber is relatively low especially when compared to some other models in this range. But, it’s still a difference than the flat camber and full rocker shape of the previous version.
There’s also a notable change to the tail shape. It’s more tapered, versus the old Corvus’ flat tail. There’s significant tip and tail splay and rocker, increasing maneuverability in deep snow. The width gets a little wider too, bumping up to 110mm underfoot.
Inside, there’s still metal in the ski, with just one sheet versus the old two. The flex is definitely supportive, but not as stiff as previous ones, particularly in the tip and tail. Underfoot still feels like it has some gas. Overall, the Corvus still wants to blend maneuverability with a hard-charging style. Check out the profile in Matt’s quick review below.
We’ve gotten on the Corvus a few times this season at Loveland Ski Area and had it at our Powder7 ski test for loads of staffers to get on. Personally, at 5’8″ and 130lbs, I skied the 181cm pretty happily. But for tighter terrain and most of my daily skiing, I’d certainly would choose my more standard size of 176cm. This is definitely a ski you can size up on if skiing in open terrain, in-between sizes, or just prefer a longer ski.
One amazing thing this year? The ski is offered in a (relatively) full size run, from 169cm to 191cm. So our shorter and lighter riders who prefer something under 170cm, but still want a ski with some “grr” have an awesome option. Note: We originally had info that the 186cm was the longest length available, which is fortunately, not true! Disregard those comments.
Groomers
You shouldn’t expect the Corvus to carve the heck out of a groomer, considering the category of ski it lives in. But, it is stable, predictable, and frankly easier to ski on this terrain than the old version.
The addition of camber adds a lot of skiability when feeling lazy on the groomers after laps on high alpine or steeper big-mountain terrain. The ski is more energetic and has more rebound than the previous flat camber edition. And, while it obviously doesn’t have a carving ski’s camber profile, it offers a nice ride down trails.
The long radius allows you to open turns up when you want, but the deep rocker doesn’t punish you if you want to slide and slarve around with tired legs. Having a sheet of metal feels less quick than something like the Atomic Bent 110, but certainly more supportive when the trails are icy.
For me, the increased energy from the camber allows you to get the ski over on edge relatively easily for a 110mm ski. But, that said…it’s still a 110mm ski. So while you can ski the groomers and get around the mountain, check out the fully capable Black Crows Atris and Justis if carving performance ranks as one of your top priorities even in a wider waist width class.
Sam B.: “Snappy and responsive with a lot of pop from turn to turn. Solid option for someone who wants a happy medium of directional stability and playfulness.”
Bumps and Trees
All right, here we go. Let’s get these bad boys off trail. Once you get into some tighter terrain, the updates to the Corvus feel phenomenal. It drifts through bump lines and trees. Turning felt intuitive, much more than an upsized ski should feel.
What I really liked is how accepting the Corvus was of different styles. It’s pretty happy with a more directional skier who is pressuring the shovels all the time. Or, if you ski with a more centered stance, it happily releases and pivots around bumps and trees. Of all the skis I can think of in this waist class, the Corvus does this the best. Which is very fun for folks who like to do a little bit of everything or play with their style.
Like Matt, I also didn’t find the Corvus to be particularly “lively” compared to something like the QST Blank or a Blizzard Rustler 11. So it works well for people who like a planted ski and prefer to swivel the ski through terrain, versus taking a more dynamic style with snappier turns.
Matt: “I love the blend of long sidecut with deep rocker. It makes a ski that wants to charge down the fall line but can also easily drift and slash and smear if you want to get loose.”
Tyler J.: “Super maneuverable, easy to push around and pivot on a dime. Stable at speed and feels safe on landings. This ski attacks everything with more grace and agility than its predecessor.”
Mixed Snow and Powder
At this waist width, it’s fair to expect some pretty high performance from this ski. Not only in bottomless powder but in tracked-up snow and heavier chop. For me, the Corvus delivered in all of these snow conditions.
It floats well for 110mm underfoot, and felt almost comparable to the Anima (my go-to pow ski) with the surfy feel. The deep rocker and softer tip construction really help with that. I loved the way it surfed and felt intuitive in deep snow, and I could see this feeling quite maneuverable on a really deep day.
Getting the snow into some heavier chop, I was wondering how the new softer tip would perform. To my surprise, it felt like it tracked well through chop and led to a smooth ride. For me, it felt easy to take a more aggressive stance with more pressure on the shovels, or relax into a centered stance while still feeling all the performance.
Most of the power and stability come from the midfoot of the ski, and it feels supportive underneath you to plow through conditions. I never felt like the ski was going to wash out on me, or have the tip deflect in such an unpredictable way I couldn’t recover. So for me, it felt very confidence-inspiring, which is exactly what I want out of a ski in this category.
John T. “All around solid. Can release and slash them when you want. I thought they had good float for the size, and nice support on landings and choppy runnouts. I think a lot of people can get along with them.”
Downside?
While I got on great with the 181cm Corvus and thought it stayed stable through heavy snow, that is typically a size up from what I would normally ski for your average ski day. Several other testers (on lengths at what they would normally ski) felt like they were looking for a little more.
Matt: “Maybe an unpopular opinion, but I would love this ski to be heavier! More weight really blast through the tough stuff.”
Sam B. “Wasn’t as charging as I expected. I think I’d want them in a longer size.” (Sam rode the 186, and would normally ski 190+).
I think the softer tip prevents this ski from feeling full gas. It increases intuitive turning and makes it easier to change things on a dime, but doesn’t provide the full confidence some people might want for high-speed charging down the fall line. I think sizing up aids in that for our aggressive skiers who want predictability through the whole of the ski.
At the same time, the ski is still very stout underfoot. That gives you muscle to power through things and provides solid edge hold. For me, a more progressive flex where the ski gets softer towards the tips and tails, can feel more compliant than a uniformly stiff ski. Stiff skis tend to ride more rigid or static, or buck you if you get off your line. And it’s not like the Corvus is a noodle.
Zack: “A bit too stiff and long for me in off-trail terrain. This is perfect for an advanced technical skier who likes it stiff!” (who skied the 186cm, and normally likes around a 180cm).
Black Crows Corvus Review: Bottom Line
With tons of new skis in this category like the Atomic Bent 110, Volkl Revolt 114, DPS Koala 111, and of course the hottest ski from last spring, the Rossignol Sender Free 110, I could understand cries from core skiers about this ski becoming more “normal”. Changing the camber profile from full rocker to cambered certainly makes it more traditional. In a world with so many ski options, core skiers are jonesing for anything unique or off-the-wall shapes.
But frankly, the skiability is much, much better now. You can easily slarve a turn and pivot. The old ski pivoted, but with a bit of work, and felt a bit sluggish. It was also fully locked into that turn with the flatter tail. This ski felt intuitive. At the same time, it doesn’t feel like a rehash of the skis I mentioned above. Black Crows were able to lock a unique feel, even if the profile and shape look more like other skis in this category.
It feels drifty and smeary, with plenty of ski to flex into. It’s not as heavy and bulky as the old version, but still offers plenty of platform for landings and deep snow. It’s more responsive in tight terrain. To boot, the shape and construction work for lots of ski styles.
If you’re a Corvus fan, this ski is worth a shot. I think you’ll come away with a similar feel in terms of a swively, charge-y, and damp ski. If you’re new to the Corvus, we think it works well for advanced to expert riders looking for something on the stiffer side, but balances playfulness with directional stability. The sort of, Golidlocks ski, if you will. Funny enough, I think that’s exactly what we said about the Atris, and the Anima, and the Justis…
