2021 Black Crows Atris Birdie

The Atris Birdie from Black Crows is a highly capable, fun-loving, versatile freeride ski. At 108 mm underfoot, the Atris Birdie is plenty wide enough for powder skiing, which is supported by the abundant tip and tail rocker. A 20 m turn radius combined with slight taper in the tips and tails gives the ski a catch-free, maneuverable feel even when things get deep. The progressive rocker provides the maneuverability you need without giving up too much effective edge on firm snow. In other words, the Atris Birdie can transition from deep soft snow to firmer, packed/tracked out conditions without feeling unstable or unbalanced. The poplar wood core provides a stable feel underfoot with softer flexing tips and tails.

Michelle Parker, who needs no introduction, spends a ton of time on the Atris Birdie in a given season and her feedback tells the story of a highly versatile ski. Of course, Michelle Parker gets to ski a lot of soft snow, so in general she's going to need a wider ski as a daily driver than your average skier, but she emphasized the Atris Birdie's ability so handle a wide range of terrain. "If I could only have one ski for everything, this would be that ski. It performs best in powder, holds its own through crud, feels like a solid ski, yet also has a playful side to it. The Atris Birdie is my favorite ski." Considering she has access to anything Black Crows makes, and in theory just about any brand in the world if she decided to switch gears, saying the Atris Birdie is her favorite ski is high praise from Michelle. Christina Lustenberger, a guide in Revelstoke, BC and someone who spends a lot of time in big mountains shares the same sentiment as Michelle. Both of these ladies obviously put a ton of trust in the Atris Birdie and would be happy skiing it anywhere their skiing careers take them. "my go to ski! Spring missions, powder, to steep ski mountaineering lines. If you could have one ski this would be it."

You'll find Rhianna Borderick competing in big mountain competitions like Freeride World Tour qualifying events, but she also enjoys a fun, playful ski. For her, the Atris Birdie can fill both roles, and she mentioned she things it could be a good choice for a lady progressing into more freeride soft snow skiing. "The ski is quite light and agile for fast skiing and playful maneuvers. I personally love the tail rise for floaty butters in powdery pillows or switching over a roller and into a carve. I can also recommend the birdie to females who want to progress their skiing to that playful level. The forgiveness of the birdie allows you to ski in any condition and with a width of 108, the ski finds itself in the sweet spot between resorts skiing or floating through untouched powder." It's nice to know that despite its ability to charge and satisfy the demands of some of the best female skiers on the planet, it's not too demanding and is forgiving enough for developing skiers.

Overall, the Atris Birdie is a fantastic freeride/powder ski for a wide range of skiers. As we've seen in the feedback from these women, you can ski it fast and aggressively and the ski will perform well, but it also has a fun-loving playful side. Chances are you or I, or any mere mortal skier for that matter, won't have the opportunities these women have in terms of the terrain and snow conditions we ski on a daily basis, but that's okay. The Atris Birdie would be a fantastic choice as a powder day ski even for someone who doesn't have the opportunity to do so very often. It's nice to have a ski like this in your quiver for those memorable, deep powder days.