Black Crows: Fad or Fab?

[::: :::]

Not so sure they suddenly became popular as much as they suddenly became more broadly available

but maybe one leads back to the other

[Ted Striker]

My pair of '19 Daemons (non tech bro in Seattle chiming in here) were made in Slovenia, and they seem to be super high quality. Got about 15 days on them, barely have a scratch.

Yeah, my 4FRNTs were made in the same factory, and they were tough as hell. People can - and will - argue every other bit of minutiae, but the quality is there.

[mattig]

Not so sure they suddenly became popular as much as they suddenly became more broadly available

but maybe one leads back to the other

Gonna vote for the latter because you and I talk plenty about skis, yet I never heard you mention them as something for which you were waiting to become available. But my therapist says I should consider that my friends can have occasional thoughts or conversations that don't involve me, and that doesn't mean they aren't my friends.

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[PNW_Skier206]

Who the fuck cares if they’re hipster skis? This argument is ridiculous. Are they good or not? That’s all that matters.

I don’t own a pair but everyone I know on Black Crows has a quiver so they must be keeping them around for a reason.


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[CascadeLuke]

Yup ^^
I’m very fond of mine. To me they’re good. I bet BC has designs I’d pass on given the chance- just like any other manufacturer.

[MHSP1497]

Yup ^^
I’m very fond of mine. To me they’re good. I bet they’d have designs I’d pass on given the chance- just like any other manufacturer.

Good to hear. Wife demo’d some Atris Birdie’s and fell in love. Her pair should arrive this Weds. Not my thing but she was blown away.

[McDee]

Their first ski was a 196cm xxl competitor, based in cham. It doesn't get more tgr than that, so as for the hipster thing...

Edit: maybe that's a bit harsh, but brand perception def seems different over here than in North America

[hercule33]

Their first ski was a 196cm xxl competitor, based in cham. It doesn't get more tgr than that, so as for the hipster thing...

And DPS did not start out by making skis for dentists... This coming from someone who owns a set of DPS skis.

[hercule33]

One of the founders of Black Crows, Bruno Compagnet. Not calling him a hipster, but just making a point about American hipsters copying Europeans...

[hercule33]

This is Camille Jaccoux, the other cofounder of Black Crows, complete with a fedora and black crow sunglasses. Again, not calling him a hipster but emphasizing that American hipsters copy Europeans.

[roQer]

In the Alps, at least in my ski area, Black Crows are way over being hip no more. It’s just another major ski brand like Atomic, Blizzard, etc. You see all kind of folks on them, from dads and moms, bloody beginners, intermediates to hard core ski mountaineering types.
Their skis are being produced in Bulgaria, Ukraine, Slovenia, Austria, you name it. Just check the „made in“ tags on the current line. You’ll be surprised. So hardly to put a boutique brand status on them. They do clever marketing, did create a higher coolness factor and design obviously shapes which are well embraced by a broad customer base.
Because you see Black Crows all over the place here, making them rather really mainstream, I‘d prefer to put my money elsewhere. However, I got me the new Corvus and am really happy with it. So it’s not like they don’t know how to make a fine ski.

[bodywhomper]

Not so sure they suddenly became popular as much as they suddenly became more broadly available

As a former retail ski buyer, ^^^, that's my take...

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[SKIP IN7RO]

more broadly available

and heavily discounted via Sierra trading Post

[Gorilla]

Prior to taking on Julien Regnier, BC were, essentially, a French PM Gear* that outsourced their manufacturing. Skiers skis, loved by insane Chamoniards and few others. Now they are a major ski brand that has parked itself in the freerando spot very effectively.

Main question here is just how much did Armada screw up by firing Regnier? He's clearly not the only mind behind BC's success but the guy is clearly a fucking genius.

*I had two pairs of 179s, two pairs of 186 Lhasas and a pair of 191s. This is not a PM Gear diss.

[nyskirat]

They definitely put together some sweet stoke FWIW.

https://www.blackmail.ski/en/

[ex-powderbroker]

Both fad and fab. Not DPS at all.

But the Noctas in particular are fucking amazing skis. Favorite powder ski ever. Anima Freebirds are pretty damn great for touring as well.

I originally came across the brand a few years back when I saw some 91mm Orbs for like $300 at the end of the season. I needed something narrower for my quiver so figured I'd give them a shot. Was blown away by how much I enjoyed them. Kept going from there. Also have some Atris I'm quite fond of as a playful alternative to my Wren 108's. Only ones I haven't clicked with were the Navis Freebirds - they weren't bad, just a bit catchy on the tails for my taste.

they’re not hipster, but i knew about them before they were cool

[kathleenturneroverdrive]

I live in the us. 10yrs to Europe feels more like 10 weeks to my ignorant American ass.

Not a knock on the skis. Maybe they're great. I won't know for a while. It's ok with me if you like them. It's ok with me if you don't. You are very handsome and talented, and nothing I say should be considered a threat to your black crow affinity.

Overnight popularity perception could have a lot to do with the fact that I didn't know anyone who had any last year (or even earlier this year) and have suddenly heard of 4 or 5 among buddies. If I get black Crows now, I'll be a follower, and we mustn't be followers. If only I was more hip to European vibes, I could simply think of my friends as behind the European times and thus do what I want, but alas!



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“They’re popular now so I can’t ski them and be a follower” = the most hipster post in this thread

[TahoeJ]

Main question here is just how much did Armada screw up by firing Regnier? He's clearly not the only mind behind BC's success but the guy is clearly a fucking genius.

Exactly, that's the other reason I called them the Euro Armada. He did a Blister Podcast last year and talked about how much he enjoyed skiing a few days on the Mantra and how it inspired him to redesign the Corvus without camber. Not many designers would admit something like that - too much ego and close-mindedness usually.

[2FUNKY]

Holy shit, this thread is hilarious.

[CascadeLuke]

“They’re popular now so I can’t ski them and be a follower” = the most hipster post in this thread

My thoughts exactly. Couple anti comments here read like that to me.

and heavily discounted via Sierra trading Post

Current BCs on Sierra = 0
Instead Blizzard, DPS, Kastle, Fisher, Head, K2

Maybe you missed your opportunity [emoji14]

[schindlerpiste]

In the meantime, starting tonight at 7pm, Cole Sport will have more than a few pair of your favorite 2019 Black Crows on sale at 50% off.

[roQer]

Exactly, that's the other reason I called them the Euro Armada.

Armada skis is owned by Amer, same as Salomon and Atomic. The skis are made at Amers European factories. Amer Sports is a Finnish company residing in Helsinki. Recently a consortium led by Chinese Anta Sports made a bid to acquire Amer.
So not exactly an American boutique brand anymore.

[doebedoe]

Both pairs I've been on demoing were pretty fucking dialed.

The thing that bothers me most is how few people on them even get why they are called Black Crows. I loved the homage to those fallen in the mountains. #YesThisComplaintIsHipsterAsShit

[TahoeJ]

Armada skis is owned by Amer, same as Salomon and Atomic. The skis are made at Amers European factories. Amer Sports is a Finnish company residing in Helsinki. Recently a consortium led by Chinese Anta Sports made a bid to acquire Amer.
So not exactly an American boutique brand anymore.

I'm aware of that. I'm saying prior to the acquisition. Of course Black Crows is now larger than Armada ever was, or it certainly seems that way. I wouldn't consider them a boutique brand anymore - maybe 5-6 years ago. Which is why the whole "hipster" comment is funny to some of us, which you seem to understand very well from your side of the Atlantic.

[TheK12]

Definitely the “it” ski brand right now, at least in Tahoe.