Black Crows Corvus Freebird

**kathleenturneroverdrive** · 09-24-2018, 04:26 PM

Anyone on them? I'm considering the 188 + Shifts this year as an in bounds and light touring ski. Curious what people think - sounds like they're stiff and burly?

**auvgeek** · 09-24-2018, 04:48 PM

My wife skis the 175 Corvus Freebird as a touring ski and loves it. Says it’s damp and stable, but not so burly she can’t drive them with her Backlands (non carbon). My brother patrols on the regular 183 Corvus and is stoked on them. In fact, I just bought my wife the regular Corvus as an inbounds daily driver to replace her 171 Dakotas. If you like traditional mount points, I think you’ll be pretty happy.

**garuda** · 09-24-2018, 04:59 PM

I have a pair of 188s mounted with Fritschi Tectons. The set up has been great for pow touring and in/out resort ski. I took them to Cham and La Grave last year and they worked very well for pow, mixed conditions, steeps, etc. Maybe a touch less "burly" than the normal corvus, but a capable all around ski. They are not too hard to handle but do have relatively stiff tails, a traditional mount, and a fairly traditional sidecut. The edges on the freebirds are fairly thin, so beware if you like to ski over a lot of rock. Otherwise, two thumbs up for your proposed use.

Also, the above comments go for last year's cambered version. Not sure if the freebird changed this year, but I believe the regular corvus went to a full, low rocker profile. That will change the ski to likely be faster turning/slarving but maybe not as confident on hard snow, steeps and fast carves? It will only help pow performance though.

**kathleenturneroverdrive** · 09-24-2018, 08:09 PM

Thanks guys appreciate the response. Good point on the full rocker - I was going to snag last years but might go for the 2019 since the full rocker is probably more fun/maneuverable

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**Andyski** · 09-24-2018, 10:26 PM

Don’t think the 2019 freebird is full rocker, just the regular one: https://www.black-crows.com/corvus-freebird-skis

**::: :::** · 09-24-2018, 10:39 PM

Was thinking of putting dynafits on the 193 corvus (non-Freebird)

Anyone with experience doing that?

I’m 6-5, 210...thinking it’s a great mid fat touring rig for a guy of my stature

**auvgeek** · 09-25-2018, 07:07 AM

AC: my brother has a pair of the non-freebird 183 Corvus with Ions in NZ. He’s like 5’11” 185#. He’s not a weight weenie and says they’re fine. At your size, I think it could be a good call, depending on how light the rest of your touring partners like to go. The 192 0G 108 might also be a good choice.

**waxoff** · 09-25-2018, 08:10 AM

Originally Posted by acinpdx

Was thinking of putting dynafits on the 193 corvus (non-Freebird)

Anyone with experience doing that?

I’m 6-5, 210...thinking it’s a great mid fat touring rig for a guy of my stature

Are you talking about the 17-18 and earlier or 18-19 version of regular Corvus? I ask because of the changed layup, camber profile and lower weight for the 18-19 version. Also, there are some comparisons between tech and alpine binders on the earlier regular Corvus in this Blister Corvus freebird review if you haven't already read it.

**::: :::** · 09-25-2018, 09:07 AM

Def 17-18
I’ll check out that review

i'll check out the zerog too, thx

**kathleenturneroverdrive** · 09-25-2018, 09:39 AM

Originally Posted by Andyski

Don’t think the 2019 freebird is full rocker, just the regular one: https://www.black-crows.com/corvus-freebird-skis

You're def right about that - thanks

**Island Bay** · 09-25-2018, 12:34 PM

Originally Posted by kathleenturneroverdrive

You're def right about that - thanks

The regular Corvus is also listed as cambered. Their website is fuqd.
https://www.black-crows.com/corvus-skis

**Schemeboat** · 09-25-2018, 01:08 PM

I have a pair of the 183's from two seasons ago. Love them, ski them all over, patrol on them, broke my fuggin leg had a season ender on them, but skied out of it on them as well.
I am 6" 185lbs, and I like the shorter ski since WB has a lot of tree skiing. But also spent a week skiing the classics in JH and they worked out just fine.

**waxoff** · 09-25-2018, 01:55 PM

Originally Posted by Island Bay

The regular Corvus is also listed as cambered. Their website is fuqd.
https://www.black-crows.com/corvus-skis

As far as I can tell the website has not been updated for 18-19 yet, kinda lame this close to winter...

**Andyski** · 09-25-2018, 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by SoooL

As far as I can tell the website has not been updated for 18-19 yet, kinda lame this close to winter...

Evo says the 19 freebird is cambered as well. Actually really interested in it if flat cambered, but I haven’t seen a single thing anywhere saying the FB is different this year

**waxoff** · 09-25-2018, 02:41 PM

Originally Posted by Andyski

Evo says the 19 freebird is cambered as well. Actually really interested in it if flat cambered, but I haven’t seen a single thing anywhere saying the FB is different this year

That's what I understand too, I mean the FB still being the same. However, the website doesn't show neither the updated regular Corvus nor the updated Camox freebird yet. That's why I think the site is not updated at all for this season.

**kathleenturneroverdrive** · 09-25-2018, 03:17 PM

Sounds like flat with rocker tip and tail for the regular Corvus. Not sure about the Freebird

**auvgeek** · 09-25-2018, 03:25 PM

This random youtube video said the camox freebird is the only one in the freebird series that get a redesigned for 2019:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDnNUgUujDU

**alpinevibes** · 09-29-2018, 09:01 AM

2018 Piolet d’Or winner Fréd Degoulet sending a casual 30 footer on 175 Corvus Freebirds. Dude rips!

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I ski the ZG108 as my regular touring ski and found the Corvus Freebird a more well-rounded ski, with minimal weight difference. A little more surfy and playful in heavier pow/chop, while still very solid through the middle/tail. Could be skied at the resort for sure and I can't imagine touring regularily on the true Corvus; 188 is like 2300g+

**XXX-er** · 09-29-2018, 12:37 PM

anyone notice black Crows have funny little sayings on them ? The one I looked at said " this is not a Banana "

Angle Parking had a pair of the Black Crow lazer cut skins, they are pretty light and of course he put a big cut in them cuz he is really hard on gear

**geo039** · 09-29-2018, 01:22 PM

Originally Posted by XXX-er

anyone notice black Crows have funny little sayings on them ? The one I looked at said " this is not a Banana "

Angle Parking had a pair of the Black Crow lazer cut skins, they are pretty light and of course he put a big cut in them cuz he is really hard on gear

Skins are made by contour the same as atomic , etc etc. Maybe bananas cost more?

**::: :::** · 09-29-2018, 03:02 PM

Originally Posted by XXX-er

anyone notice black Crows have funny little sayings on them ? The one I looked at said " this is not a Banana "

Just got a pair of Corvus
Sidewall says “for adults only”
& in the binding area “if you can read this, you’re not skiing”

**XXX-er** · 09-29-2018, 04:08 PM

perhaps its a french translation of that old favorite " Yes we have no Bananas "

I sat in on a PK with the Black Crow rep and he said something about the sayings being inside jokes that develop amongst the Black Crow guys

**alfajores** · 10-01-2018, 07:04 AM

I rode with a guy in Jackson Hole with them and he said it was great for low swing weight on the skin track and stiffness on the charge. He also had Dynafit Superlight 2.0 12 din on his skis that made me wonder if he spent much time outside the BC in general.

**smooth operator** · 10-01-2018, 08:42 AM

I love low swing weight on the skin track. Helps with my uptrack 360's.

**kathleenturneroverdrive** · 10-01-2018, 06:24 PM

I ended up with 188 2019 Corvus (non freebird). Just arrived today. Went with the heavier model because these will see 70% of their time inbounds.

Maybe they lightened it too - the 2019 188 comes out to around 2080g.

Oh and Freeze Pro Shop in Scotland has crazy prices on these. Mine were $679 shipped to MT.

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