2027 Black Crows Octo Skis

Model Year	Product Page	Ski Test Results	Chairlift Chat
2027	2027 Black Crows Octo Skis—Skis with bindings	2026 Black Crows Octo 2027 Black Crows Octo	2026 Black Crows Octo Ski Review
2025	2025 Black Crows Octo Skis—Skis with bindings	2025 Black Crows Octo	—

tester:

Daniel Carbonneau

Ability: Advanced
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 210
Days / Year: 35-45
Age: 55
Years Skiing: 40 off/on; regularly for last 17

Fast and controlled

Ski:

2027 Black Crows Octo Skis

Size Tested:

173 CM

Location, Terrain, Snow Conditions Notes

Hard packed front side groomer.

Did this length feel short, long, or just right? Would you recommend sizing up or down, or does it ski "true to size?" Would you choose this length for yourself?

These felt like the perfect length for me.

Scores

Floatation:9/10

Stability:9/10

Quickness:10/10

Playfulness:8/10

Forgiveness:8/10

Edge Grip:10/10

Versatility:9/10

Overall:9/10

What's your first impression of this ski? How did it feel?

Fun ski that loves to turn. Nice tight turns that felt stable.

For what type of terrain would you recommend this ski? Why does it perform well in that terrain?

All mountain.

What's the appropriate ability level and/or style for this ski? Why is it appropriate for that type of skier?

Love the ski. Could be my go to for East skiing.

Read the Full Ski Test →

tester:

Grant Wieler

Ability: Expert
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 200
Days / Year: 50
Age: 38
Years Skiing: 35

Freeride oriented

Ski:

2027 Black Crows Octo Skis

Size Tested:

185 CM

Location, Terrain, Snow Conditions Notes

Packed powder / granular. Edgable.

Did this length feel short, long, or just right? Would you recommend sizing up or down, or does it ski "true to size?" Would you choose this length for yourself?

Short.

Scores

Floatation:4/10

Stability:8/10

Quickness:8/10

Playfulness:7/10

Forgiveness:6/10

Edge Grip:8/10

Versatility:5/10

Overall:8/10

What's your first impression of this ski? How did it feel?

I was nervous at first, no metal and super light frontside ski on firm conditions. However these things blew me away. Incredibly stiff for the weight and allowed me to ramp up the speed! Uncomfortable outside of their preferred turning radius, but these are a tool. Stick them into short and powerful turns and they will reward you with tons of confidence in the turn explosive energy out.

For what type of terrain would you recommend this ski? Why does it perform well in that terrain?

Frontside carving.

What's the appropriate ability level and/or style for this ski? Why is it appropriate for that type of skier?

Intermediate to expert.

Anything else you want to tell us about your experience on these skis?

These were a hoot!

Read the Full Ski Test →

tester:

Hans de Boer

Ability: Expert
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 210
Days / Year: 40-60...
Age: 42
Years Skiing: 25 years

Turning isn't really necessary until you get scared.

Ski:

2027 Black Crows Octo Skis

Size Tested:

185 CM

Location, Terrain, Snow Conditions Notes

Nosedive turns > Rimrocks > Perry Merrill. Second run of the day, so still some cord, nice mix of packed powder and frozen granular.

Did this length feel short, long, or just right? Would you recommend sizing up or down, or does it ski "true to size?" Would you choose this length for yourself?

This was the correct length for me. I was a bit nervous at first because of the tight turning radius that I might want something shorter,and considered sizing down. However, you don't really feel the length, so they ski true to size.

Scores

Floatation:4/10

Stability:8/10

Quickness:10/10

Playfulness:8/10

Forgiveness:6/10

Edge Grip:9/10

Versatility:2/10

Overall:8/10

What's your first impression of this ski? How did it feel?

The first half of my run I couldn't figure these skis out. They were very light and nimble and seemed very poppy, but I just wasn't able to get them to engage. But finally on the last couple pitches on Perry Merrill I started to roll them more on edge and get a little more into the front of the boot and "boom" they came alive. They really want to be laid over with some energy and they act like springs under your feet. Being so light, they took no effort to transition from ending the turn to engaging the next turn. The more you pushed into the top of the turn, the faster that they engaged and finished the turn.

For what type of terrain would you recommend this ski? Why does it perform well in that terrain?

These skis are for laying trenches in the groomers. They just want to do fast, short radius turns until your legs fall off.

What's the appropriate ability level and/or style for this ski? Why is it appropriate for that type of skier?

You need to be an advanced to expert skier to appreciate what these skis have to offer. They need a skier who isn't afraid to roll them up on edge and not get thrown into the back seat when they turn on. That being said, an intermediate could handle these skis because they were very gentle if you were just using them to slide down the hill, but they'd be missing out on the true purpose of these skis.

Anything else you want to tell us about your experience on these skis?

These skis were mellow and fine as I tried to figure out how to make them turn on. Once I found the key to getting the switch flipped, they put a huge smile on my face. It's the kind of ski that you want to get first tracks down liftline after its been freshly groomed, knowing you'll get envious stares from people seeing you making identical, short railroad track turns like a slalom skier down the 13 pitch with the skis off the ground when transitioning turns.

Read the Full Ski Test →

tester:

Billy Annacone

Ability: Advanced
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 210
Days / Year: 100
Age: 72
Years Skiing: 62

Casual carving

Ski:

2027 Black Crows Octo Skis

Size Tested:

173 CM

Location, Terrain, Snow Conditions Notes

Stowe. Packed spring smooth and bumpy

Did this length feel short, long, or just right? Would you recommend sizing up or down, or does it ski "true to size?" Would you choose this length for yourself?

Felt like 173

Scores

Floatation:8/10

Stability:8/10

Quickness:8/10

Playfulness:8/10

Forgiveness:8/10

Edge Grip:7/10

Versatility:7/10

Overall:8/10

What's your first impression of this ski? How did it feel?

Initiates turns easily. Smooths out the snow surface.

For what type of terrain would you recommend this ski? Why does it perform well in that terrain?

Anything but firm hardpack. Will wash out.

What's the appropriate ability level and/or style for this ski? Why is it appropriate for that type of skier?

Intermediate to expert.

If you could change anything about these skis, what would you change and why?

No changes.

Read the Full Ski Test →

tester:

David Lowe

Ability: Advanced
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 167 lbs.
Days / Year: 2025-10-15
Age: 70 & 2 wks
Years Skiing: 60

Cautious w occasional bursts of speed & adventure

Ski:

2027 Black Crows Octo Skis

Size Tested:

167 CM

Location, Terrain, Snow Conditions Notes

Chin Clip, National, Cliff trail-Nosedive, Sunrise, T-Line. Soft corn, end of day. Bumps and cruisers.

Did this length feel short, long, or just right? Would you recommend sizing up or down, or does it ski "true to size?" Would you choose this length for yourself?

Shorter than other 2 test skis, by intent. Feels short for this playful a ski. I’d go longer in different conditions or earlier in day. Tired, late heavy snow.

Scores

Floatation:7/10

Stability:6/10

Quickness:10/10

Playfulness:10/10

Forgiveness:8/10

Edge Grip:5/10

Versatility:6/10

Overall:9/10

What's your first impression of this ski? How did it feel?

Light, bouncy, quick and responsive.

For what type of terrain would you recommend this ski? Why does it perform well in that terrain?

Flexibility and short length (167 after skiing two 88s at 176 length previously) and the Octo’s 14M turning radius combine to make this a fun ski for bumps. IF I OWNED THIS SKI, I’D SKI MORE BUMPS! It performed great edge to edge on the soft cruiser slopes too so it built confidence despite its lightness, at least in these conditions. Not sure how it would hold on ice as that all melted into corn this morning.

What's the appropriate ability level and/or style for this ski? Why is it appropriate for that type of skier?

Beginner to expert. It is so responsive that anyone can turn them.

If you could change anything about these skis, what would you change and why?

Maybe more stability for icier conditions. I’d have tried a longer (173? was offered) ski if snow was not so heavy and if on less worn legs. Maybe tomorrow ;-)

Read the Full Ski Test →

tester:

Jeff Carpenter

Ability: Expert
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 155
Days / Year: Around 50
Age: 56
Years Skiing: 51

Smooth and fast

Ski:

2027 Black Crows Octo Skis

Size Tested:

173cm CM

Location, Terrain, Snow Conditions Notes

Stowe Gondola spring corn snow conditions

Did this length feel short, long, or just right? Would you recommend sizing up or down, or does it ski "true to size?" Would you choose this length for yourself?

Skis true to size but I should have sized up a bit as it felt a bit short for me

Scores

Floatation:5/10

Stability:6/10

Quickness:7/10

Playfulness:7/10

Forgiveness:6/10

Edge Grip:6/10

Versatility:6/10

Overall:8/10

What's your first impression of this ski? How did it feel?

The Octo was really fun to make short snappy turns down the fall line and easy to carve on the loose frozen granular but you would likely sense the lack of metal in its construction while trying to make higher speed carving turns on hard snow.

For what type of terrain would you recommend this ski? Why does it perform well in that terrain?

This would be a great choice for people looking for an approachable ski for advancing their carving skills or just having fun making short to medium radius turns.

What's the appropriate ability level and/or style for this ski? Why is it appropriate for that type of skier?

Beginner through expert due to its approachability and versatility.

If you could change anything about these skis, what would you change and why?

Nothing it's well designed and constructed for its purpose.

Read the Full Ski Test →

2027 Black Crows Octo Skis

2027 Black Crows Octo Skis

GET THIS SKI WITH BINDINGS AND FREE MOUNTING:

2027 Black Crows Octo Skis with Salomon Strive 14 GW Bindings

$1,228.95

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