Did you forget your snorkel on your deepest powder day? That’s okay because the 2024 Black Crows Nocta will keep you afloat no matter how deep the snow is. If you couldn’t tell by the Nocta’s motto, “Unsinkable according to European standards” and snorkel talk we are talking about a powder ski. Some major changes have been made to the 3rd generation 2024 Nocta including a new construction, shape, and profile. The changes made have made it a bit more versatile than the previous models with a focus on energy and on-trail performance. Most powder specific skis will have a completely rockered profile that resembles a banana shape, but the new Nocta will have reverse camber with a healthy amount of tip and tail rocker. The overhaul of this legendary ski has caused some uproar from its dedicated followers. However, we think the changes are for the better in terms of making a powder ski more than just a one-trick-pony.

One of the changes made for 2024 is the change in its wood core. For the 3rd generation Nocta, more poplar is used than previous models along with some paulownia. This change makes the core a bit denser and more robust, making the ski higher performing when on trail and connecting powder stash to powder stash. Reinforcing the wood core, a fiberglass laminate is used to provide some dampening qualities and torsional stiffness. Fiberglass is a great choice of materials for a ski like this as it is lighter than a metal laminate and is a bit more responsive and energetic. The combination of these materials accumulates to a weight 3800 grams for the pair, which is relatively light for how stable and responsive the skis are. All good things for a true powder ski! When it comes to the flex pattern, the 2024 Nocta has a somewhat directional style flex pattern. Soft in the tips, firm underfoot and behind the bindings, and then soft again in the tails. What this does is make them more stable at higher speeds as well as provide energy to the turns and making edge to edge transfer of energy smooth and instinctive.

When it comes to the shape of these powder hunters, we see some big numbers to go along with these big skis. The Nocta’s sidecut has a maximum forebody width of 145mm, 122mm underfoot, and a maximum tail width of 135mm. Very telling of its powder application and floatation focus. The sidecut generates a turn radius of 19 meters, which is extremely short for a ski of this genre. Typically powder skis like this generate turn radii of at least 20-21 meters. The short turning radius is indicative of the Nocta’s agility and playfulness. As mentioned earlier, the 2024 Noctahas got a bit of reverse camber to its shape. Not only does this generate energy but it assists with carving performance and edge grip. A lot of skiers typically ski within the resort and on a powderday will end up on trailto both connect stashes as well as get back to the lift for another run. With the addition of camber, those treks on trailare a bit more enjoyable as there is now a good amount of carving performance to be had. For those people that are taking the Nocta to big mountain faces where conditions are unknown, camber is certainly something you would rather have than not. Big mountain faces will regularly have areas of wind-blown firm snow that full rockered skis have a tough time gripping onto. But the new Nocta has remedied this with its camber and now skiers can have confidence traversing or descending in these conditions. Therefore, making them more versatile than ever before!

The changes made to the 2024 Nocta are truly refined and have certainly increased its overall versatility as a powder ski. Subtle changes to the core have made the Nocta more responsive and energetic. While major changes to the shape have increased carving performance on trail and edge grip in tough big mountain scenarios. Intended for those magical days where you feel weightless and truly unbound, the Nocta will have you soaring through the snow in effortless fashion. Happy powder hunting!