2021 Black Crows Corvus Freebird

The Corvus Freebird from Black Crows has been given some tweaks and updates for the 2021 ski season, and the result is a ski that's better than ever before. The Corvus name is well-known among Black Crows fans, much in thanks to the stiffer, heavier, big mountain charger. This Corvus Freebird, however, is part of the Black Crows touring collection and is designed to be efficient for the ascents and stable, playful, and fun for the descents. I mean, it's practically hot pink, so how could it not be fun? For 2021, Black Crows has reduced the amount of rocker and extended the sidecut. You get a more stable ski at speed with more precision in and out of a turn. A poplar wood core is supported by fiberglass and carbon, and a titanal reinforcement plate underfoot. As we've found, these titanal binding layers typically provide a little extra stability underfoot, and in this scenario, they also allow for a deeper drill depth to accommodate for new hybrid touring bindings.

We reached out to a bunch of Black Crows athletes who've been testing these skis for well over a season now to round out our own thoughts on the new Corvus Freebird. Christian Pondella had a lot of good things to say about it, and quickly mentioned it's his go-to ski for just about any conditions. "This is my do everything ski. It floats well, skis powder well and works great on harder steep terrain. If I am going into the backcountry and know I will encounter lots of different types of snow this is the ski for me. Basically, the one ski quiver for backcountry skiing." With the extended sidecut and reduced rocker, the Corvus Freebird is more versatile than ever before. It's always been a blast in soft snow and powder, but it handles firmer conditions and steeper, more technical terrain quite well too. That added stability is noteworthy as well, something that Doug Workman really appreciates. "The Classic Crow. Big touring ski with a more traditional sidecut. Built to go fast and straight."

Matthias Giraud chose to compare the Corvus Freebird to the Corvus. Remember, the Corvus is a reverse camber ski with two sheets of metal. On paper, it seems quite different than the Corvus Freebird, but based off Matthias' response, it has a similar overall feel and goal. "For me, the Corvus is the heart and soul of Black Crows, powerful, precise and still a forgiving ski in demanding conditions. The Corvus Freebird offers all of that as a streamlined version, a light, hard charging ski full of heart." That's really valuable feedback. If you've skied a Corvus before and enjoy its performance, but wished it was a little lighter for touring, the Corvus Freebird is the ticket. Christin Lustenberger rounded out the responses on the Corvus Feeebird by noting how well it does in variable snow conditions, "Strong ski for under your foot. Great spring ski when snow settles and firms up." The changes to shape and the added metal laminate underfoot really seem to have beefed this ski up quite a bit.

If you want an alpine touring ski that's going to be a blast in powder, while also handling variable conditions and remaining stable and responsive, the Corvus Freebird should most certainly be on your list. Did we mention it's pink? Not just any pink, but pink pink. Maybe not everyone will like it, and that's fine, but we're digging the unapologetic hot pink graphics on such a ripping ski. Although it sits in the touring collection, we certainly wouldn't scoff at anyone who chooses it as a resort ski. Plenty of performance, plenty of stability, and just as versatile inside the ropes as it is outside them.