Updated for 2024, the Black Crows Solis is a highly specialized ski that is designed for the descent of the steepest faces. This is not your everyday ski by any means. But for those that are consistently doing extreme mountaineering missions on the steepest of faces, the Solis is certainly a ski that you need in your fleet. Its highly specific purpose translates to an uncommon shape and construction. This idea of highly specialized skis with purpose driven design is a theme found throughout Black Crows as a brand. The Solis is highly technical and intended for extremely steep couloirs, chutes, and faces with firm to variable snow conditions. Pivot ability and edge grip are the main pillars of this ski’s philosophy because of this application. Although not the most versatile, the Solis should be considered by those that will use it for its intended purpose. 

The 2024 Solis sheds some weight in comparison to the 2023 version while using the same materials. In the 180cm, the pair weight3600 grams which is a great weight for a ski with this application. The core consists of paulownia and poplar, which is reinforced by glass layers and carbon fibers that run the length of the ski. Paulownia and poplar are energetic, responsive, and predictable materials that complement the use of these skis. In other words, these materials helps with maintaining edge contact with the snow and therefore more grip on the steep firm snow. The glass layers and carbon fibers provide strength and torsional stiffness to the ski so that edge contact and grip can remain consistent and confident when side sliding. Underfoot, there is a titanal binding plate for lightweight technical bindings to ensure a high degree of safety and confidence throughout the descent.

When it comes to the shape of the 2024 Black Crows Solis, that is where things start to get interesting. A relatively straight sidecut and long turning radius translates to an extremely long effective edge when in the steeps. The steeper the pitch, the more reliable they will be. For sidecut dimensions of the 180cm length, the Solis has a maximum forebody width of 126mm, waist width of 100mm, and a tail width of 108mm which produces a turning radius of 25 meters. This is fairly long considering its waist width but that is intentional. A lot of skis that have a tighter turn radius tend to hook when in very steep terrain, which can put the skier off balance in very dangerous, exposed, areas of the mountain. The Solis takes away this hooking by having a slightly straighter sidecut.Another type of turn that is commonly used when skiing extremely steep terrain is the skidded of smear turn because speed and balance can be more easily controlled. The Solis’ shape is designed around these turns as well as maximizing edge grip. So, its rocker/camber/rocker profile makes sense as turn initiation is smooth with tip rocker, edge grip is high with camber, and tail release is easy with tail rocker. The rockered tail is where the magic happens when it comes to steep skidded and smeary turns as the tail can slide over and through the snow with less effort.

The newly updated 2024 Black Crows Solis is highly specific and has a very specialized application that only a select group of skiers will be doing. Although not the most versatile, they are exceptionally high performing when in the setting for which they are designed for. If you are an expert skier that needs a specialized ski for extreme missions into the steepest of couloirs, chutes, and faces, the Black Crows Solis is the ski that you want to have on your feet.