2022 Black Crows Atris

Brad SchauermanThe Black Crows Atris is a walking contradiction, and we love it for that. It’s light, fun, and playful, but at the same time, this ski means business. It’s certainly one of the more split-personality skis we see come through here, and I mean that in the best way possible. Black Crows does a great job in making a ski with a simple poplar wood core and fiberglass laminate act, feel, and behave like a much more interesting ski. With more of a tapered tip than tail, but still a turned-up tail, the Atris has a personality disorder that thrives on fun. Able to rip around the backcountry as easily as it does through the park, the Atris loves to be put to the test, and for the most part, it comes out on top. As one of the lighter ~108 mm underfooted skis out there, it does have a touring component to it if you wish, or it can be used exclusively in the resort, or for us easterners, a great powder day option. For those in lower-snow areas, this will serve well as the wider end of your quiver, but there’s a lot of skiers in a variety of areas who could (and should) use this as their daily driver.

Brad Schauerman skied the 178 and found it to be just right. He scored the ski all 4’s with the exception of a 3 for forgiveness. We actually have a bunch of great pictures of Brad on these skis, ripping some big, solid, and round turns, so we know it can be done. Those consistently high scores are very impressive for a 108, or for any ski for that matter, so it does show the versatility and well-roundedness of these playful freeride skis. Brad notes that the Atris is a “very fun ski in the soft mashed potato snow. Easy to carve and very comfortable at high speed but also makes super fun short turns as well. Good both on and off-piste and in a variety of snow conditions. Very impressed.” A lot of our testers also noted the ability of the ski to remain smooth and stable through chunky snow at higher speeds, showing the range of the Atris on the high end of the spectrum.

Both Dana Allen and Harrison Gorham skied the 184, and both found them true to size and a good length. Dana scored the Atris 5’s out of 5 for both forgiveness and overall impression, with 4’s for all other categories save for playfulness, which earned a 3. Like Brad, though, we’re seeing some really consistently high scores for this ski, which is on the rare side for such a wide-bodied stick. We’re not complaining, it’s very nice and refreshing to see, especially those 5’s for overall impression. Dana notes that the Atris was “torsionally stiff, so this board will hold an edge with the best of them. Longitudinally forgiving though, so it doesn’t beat you up when it gets choppy. Very stable at speed, decently poppy and playful, and super stable on landings. Not as active as some skis (somewhat dampened) but that’s not a bad thing. Overall a really good ski and could be a daily driver for many - East or West.” Harrison has an astute comment for the Atris, noting that he “loves this! Strong, but soft and playful. Lays a strong turn with the ability to wash it out, but not floppy. Floats in the crud tremendously. Feels heavy, but skis light.” That’s certainly the dual-nature that we’re looking for when it comes right down to it. Skis that are supposed to be versatile and playful do need to have multiple tricks in their bag.

Both Harrison and Dana nail it perfectly, that they are smooth and supple, while being strong and stable at the same time, and this is the crux of a versatile freeride ski like the Black Crows Atris. By making a ski that a lot of skiers will enjoy in a variety of conditions and terrain, but with an emphasis on softer snow and more playful skiing, both the aggressive experts and the mellower, but advancing crowd will love the range and capabilities of the Black Crows Atris.