The Black Crows thread

[whambat]

That’s definitely the specs of the old one including the turn radius. How do we know those are Turdell’s? Did he post a pic while dropping a deuce? You think if they made him a custom top sheet they should have had the modern specs if they were trying to disguise it as the new one. That pic generates so many questions.

[TahoeJ]

Turdell’s skis have been discussed in depth in the FWT thread in recent years. So we’ve seen them on the podium and he’s stuck with the older version. Not sure about this year.

[yiu-han]

How do we know those are Turdell’s?

They are Turdell"s spec. A few of his pairs are floating around here in Sweden.

[Steffen1]

I'm wondering if it makes much sense to own both the Anima and a Nocta as I didn't come across anyone in here with that combo. Is the Anima just too similar to some of the other 105-110 BC skis and is the float significantly less than the Nocta? I do like that the Anima comes in a 194 and wish they made the Nocta in a longer length as my DW ski short for a 190 (I'm 6', 193 lbs).

The new Anima and prior Nocta could not be more dissimilar. (The latest Nocta appears more versatile so that would close the gap some.) I only tour with the Noctas as I hated them for resort. And agreed the 190 rides very short, for better and worse. Conversely, the current Anima screams resort in its weight, camber, and sidecut. Best resort-pow ski I've had the opportunity to try. Really stable in soft and rough chop. Heavy but maneuverable. I moved mine back to -1 this year and it dramatically improved leg efficiency. They still have poor float for the overall size but I don't think that's much of a criticism for resort use. For me personally the 194 was basically not good at all in pow on the recommended line. The tip dove greatly and I had to ski beyond a "centered" posture. Again, thats going to be very personal. I'm 6'4 205lbs.

I'll also add that I dont think the Corvus is a popular or common ski at all haha. No disrespect whatsoever, it just seems perhaps highly-represented on this forum by strong skiers/enthusiasts whom it works for. I haven't tried, but would like to, as soon as I get over my fear of flat tails...

Oh also, if you're tossing between the Nocta and Anima, a strong candidate to fill the middle ground might be the Mana 4. Its an absolute riot, unique in the market, and even less popular than the Corvus, understandably.

[MagnificentUnicorn]

^^^give your balls a tug and try a current gen Corvus. They’re not scary.


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[Skiwald]

The new Anima and prior Nocta could not be more dissimilar. (The latest Nocta appears more versatile so that would close the gap some.) I only tour with the Noctas as I hated them for resort. And agreed the 190 rides very short, for better and worse. Conversely, the current Anima screams resort in its weight, camber, and sidecut. Best resort-pow ski I've had the opportunity to try. Really stable in soft and rough chop. Heavy but maneuverable. I moved mine back to -1 this year and it dramatically improved leg efficiency. They still have poor float for the overall size but I don't think that's much of a criticism for resort use. For me personally the 194 was basically not good at all in pow on the recommended line. The tip dove greatly and I had to ski beyond a "centered" posture. Again, thats going to be very personal. I'm 6'4 205lbs.

I'll also add that I dont think the Corvus is a popular or common ski at all haha. No disrespect whatsoever, it just seems perhaps highly-represented on this forum by strong skiers/enthusiasts whom it works for. I haven't tried, but would like to, as soon as I get over my fear of flat tails...

Oh also, if you're tossing between the Nocta and Anima, a strong candidate to fill the middle ground might be the Mana 4. Its an absolute riot, unique in the market, and even less popular than the Corvus, understandably.

Say more about the mana 4, you’ve peaked my interest. FWIW, i did not like the softer Candides 2.0 and 3.0 or the mana 2. Love the current anima and the previous nocta. Did not like the new anima.

Also interested in people’s takes on the mirus cor. Thinking of getting it for ski coaching. Tight radius for technical drills/demos and twin tip for park demos. Not sure on length. 178 vs 184? I’m 5’8” 145 lbs. my fis SL skis are 165 but typically ski 180-190 for the rest of the quiver. Serpo in a 180, atris 184, anima in a 182 and 188, nocta in a 185.


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[whambat]

Looks like Virgile Didier qualified for the Freeride Challengers on the new Corvus. He previously skied what looked like the current version of the Anima in comps. He also posts a lot on the outgoing Corvus. I came across a video of his run but I can’t find it now. But there is a good still on this:

https://www.instagram.com/p/C3xsM56C...96NWhqNWY4Zg==

edit: here’s the video at 1:36:00
https://www.youtube.com/live/BFHXjbE...Inc2WucJIBItNU

[Stuntmonkey]

I've spent the last 5 days riding the 20/21 188 Corvus, and it's been a reminder of how versatile and fun this ski is. The flat tails scared me a bunch originally because I am much more of a fuck-around skier, and ride switch often, but there is enough rise that it's not really a problem if you are a centered skier.

To the point where if anyone has a NIP or fresh 22/23/24 model they want to offload, let me know. 188 and up.

[justo8484]

Skiwald, I got the opportunity to try out a pair of mirus cors last weekend. I came away torn between "this ski is kinda dumb" and "I think I really want a pair, " which reading it back now makes no sense. For context, the narrowest/turniest ski I own is a Line Vision 98 with tech bindings, and my daily driver is a Jeffrey 108, both in a 186. I found it pretty tough to find the sweet spot on the mirus the first run or two. The tight sidecut feels like it wants to be really driven and pushed into a turn, but the progressive mount (-4ish from center?) does not lend itself to drive the ski through the shovel, so it's got a kind of twitchy surfiness to it that once you figure out, you can get into a nice rhythm. It's also not nearly as soft as I expected it'd be. I've got no formal race background whatsoever, but it doesn't seem like how the mirus wants to be skied would translate to a good visual demo for coaching with due to its progressive nature.

[kc_7777]

Well I have some 115mm Pivots looking for a new home and I think I’m gonna get some 182 Animas. Never owned a BC before. The BC Anima makes sense to me…length, dimensions, profile, mount point.

I just gotta decide if I want the (cheaper at the moment) pink Anima Birdies or the regular
Anima

Reading back ~200 posts in this thread I picked up that the Birdie version is the same ski, just with a different topsheet?

Anyone have a straight pull on the 182 Anima? I’m guessing 180.5cm?


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[Skiwald]

Skiwald, I got the opportunity to try out a pair of mirus cors last weekend. I came away torn between "this ski is kinda dumb" and "I think I really want a pair, " which reading it back now makes no sense. For context, the narrowest/turniest ski I own is a Line Vision 98 with tech bindings, and my daily driver is a Jeffrey 108, both in a 186. I found it pretty tough to find the sweet spot on the mirus the first run or two. The tight sidecut feels like it wants to be really driven and pushed into a turn, but the progressive mount (-4ish from center?) does not lend itself to drive the ski through the shovel, so it's got a kind of twitchy surfiness to it that once you figure out, you can get into a nice rhythm. It's also not nearly as soft as I expected it'd be. I've got no formal race background whatsoever, but it doesn't seem like how the mirus wants to be skied would translate to a good visual demo for coaching with due to its progressive nature.

Thanks for the input! Will try to get my hands on a pair to demo.


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[Red7]

Cripple Creek Backcountry has some good sales on Black Crows. I just grabbed some Noctas for 40% off plus free shipping. The Animas are 50% off and if you are shorter and don't mind the girls color scheme, there's a pair of 182 Anima Birdies for under $300.

[kc_7777]

Cripple Creek Backcountry has some good sales on Black Crows. I just grabbed some Noctas for 40% off plus free shipping. The Animas are 50% off and if you are shorter and don't mind the girls color scheme, there's a pair of 182 Anima Birdies for under $300.

Thx Red!

Birdie is exact same build?

I’d be getting the 182 so can go regular or Birdie.


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[Skiwald]

Thx Red!

Birdie is exact same build?

I’d be getting the 182 so can go regular or Birdie.


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Yup! I have the 182 birdie and a 189 mens/unisex. Same great ski.

That’s a great deal.


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[kid-kapow]

Well I have some 115mm Pivots looking for a new home and I think I’m gonna get some 182 Animas. Never owned a BC before. The BC Anima makes sense to me…length, dimensions, profile, mount point.

I just gotta decide if I want the (cheaper at the moment) pink Anima Birdies or the regular Anima

Reading back ~200 posts in this thread I picked up that the Birdie version is the same ski, just with a different topsheet?

Anyone have a straight pull on the 182 Anima? I’m guessing 180.5cm?

same ski, just looks better

BC skis are usually 1.6 - 1.8cm shorter than stated.

Birdie is exact same build?

I’d be getting the 182 so can go regular or Birdie.

same ski, just better graphic imho. The Anima Birdie graphic is arguably the best of the range - pink and grey is never wrong.

[Wetdog]

The new Anima and prior Nocta could not be more dissimilar. (The latest Nocta appears more versatile so that would close the gap some.) I only tour with the Noctas as I hated them for resort. And agreed the 190 rides very short, for better and worse. Conversely, the current Anima screams resort in its weight, camber, and sidecut. Best resort-pow ski I've had the opportunity to try. Really stable in soft and rough chop. Heavy but maneuverable. I moved mine back to -1 this year and it dramatically improved leg efficiency. They still have poor float for the overall size but I don't think that's much of a criticism for resort use. For me personally the 194 was basically not good at all in pow on the recommended line. The tip dove greatly and I had to ski beyond a "centered" posture. Again, thats going to be very personal. I'm 6'4 205lbs.

I'll also add that I dont think the Corvus is a popular or common ski at all haha. No disrespect whatsoever, it just seems perhaps highly-represented on this forum by strong skiers/enthusiasts whom it works for. I haven't tried, but would like to, as soon as I get over my fear of flat tails...

Oh also, if you're tossing between the Nocta and Anima, a strong candidate to fill the middle ground might be the Mana 4. Its an absolute riot, unique in the market, and even less popular than the Corvus, understandably.

I agree completely with your assessment of the Anima. I’m on 194’s and I have had tip dive issues as well in really deep, especially lighter snow at slower speeds, but in more supportive snow and at higher speeds the float seems good. I mounted my with Marker Schizos as I was suspicious of the - 6cm mount point. Sliding them back a cm or two definitely helps with deep snow tip floatation, but affects their ease of pivot and firmer snow turn initiation. They kind of lose their magic. I’ve found they ski best on the recommended line. Skiing steep powder at higher speeds they float fine. A really great resort ski.

I also have the Corvus and really like it as well. I got a deal on 193’s and thought I bit off more than I could chew, but they are really not that difficult to ski. Like the Animas, they need some speed to come alive, maybe more so, and want to ski the fall line a bit more. Really good float for 107 waist and they rail groomers. That flat tail is slightly rocketed and is easy to release, powerful when you want to push through a turn in the deep or hard pack. Don’t be afraid of them. They’re great. I would recommend skiing one length shorter than your Animas. For me 188 might have been a bit better choice, but the 193’s are proving very manageable. It’s not the big scary ski everyone seems to think it is.


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[kc_7777]

same ski, just looks better

BC skis are usually 1.6 - 1.8cm shorter than stated.
same ski, just better graphic imho. The Anima Birdie graphic is arguably the best of the range - pink and grey is never wrong.

Local shop is price matching on 2024 182cm Animas (~$500US/$699CDN)...for either regular topsheet or the Birdie topsheet Animas.

Can see my wife getting the 176cm Anima Birdie (as she says her 178 Line Outlines are "tingy") so I am leaning to regular topsheet for me. I do like the pink/grey though.

I have both gold and raw pivot 15s. Gold would prolly work best on the regular topsheet, raw definitely on the Birdie? Pumped to try some Black Crows.

[kid-kapow]

Can see my wife getting the 176cm Anima Birdie so I am leaning to regular topsheet for me. I do like the pink/grey though.

I have both gold and raw pivot 15s.

sounds like an awesome his and hers, differentiating with the binders. Birdies look a lot sharper imho.

that being said - I am not sure I would recommend the Anima though. There are other skis in this segment that arguably are better imho - the Anima is kinda sluggish (too much weight at the extremities). Skis like Koala118 and BO118 are arguably better skis imho. You might be between sizes, but the misses would prob be really happy on BO118 176s at -2 from rec as long as she is a fairly proficient skier (she needs to be to like Animas too imho).

[kc_7777]

sounds like an awesome his and hers, differentiating with the binders. Birdies look a lot sharper imho.
that being said - I am not sure I would recommend the Anima though. There are other skis in this segment that arguably are better imho - the Anima is kinda sluggish (too much weight at the extremities). Skis like Koala118 and BO118 are arguably better skis imho. You might be between sizes, but the misses would prob be really happy on BO118 176s at -2 from rec as long as she is a fairly proficient skier (she needs to be to like Animas too imho).

Thx kid.

The BO118 at -5cm is a good option that I've considered for her, as she definitely likes "heavier" skis. Her other skis (besides the 178cm Line Outline) are a 172cm Enforcer 104 Free and a 163cm Head SuperShape e-Rally. She typically skis the mens version of skis. And ya she's proficient...she grew up skiing in the Kootenays and has worked/skied in Canada/Europe/Colorado....she skied my Mantra 102s and said they were easy (she's 5'6", 127 lbs).

KC

[samp]

I got some v2 Noctas back in 2018. Skied them a few times but never really clicked with them and they've been sitting around since then. Finally got them back out this Thurs/Friday for the 110cm we got in Whistler and man are they fun in soft snow. Can't believe I've been sleeping on them for 6 years.

I didn't really gel with the reverse camber first time around but I definitely get it now, just so easy to pivot in soft snow. On the flipside, even in soft bumps 122cm is too wide for me, and they need to be kept on edge on groomers. Can definitely see myself skiing them more often on 20cm plus resort days.

Shitty tip pic included.

[halliday]

Sometimes it takes a while to find the groove of a ski. Good thing you didn't sell them.

[TahoeJ]

So is the Nocta done for? I have the special edition orange ones from last year but I almost want to buy a backup pair if that’s the case.

[Qilimanjaro]

Tbh when I first saw it here it made no sense and still doesn’t. Why update the ski and cancel its production in a year, unless there are some quality issues?

new Nocta seems well received, can’t find any 185s on sale in yurp

[MNazWIcoWA]

Curious about folks experiences with:

1) Anima vs newest Nocta for PNW pow/crud ski? I am seeing some decent sales that have piqued my interest in both. Newest Nocta just looks better, but Anima seems probably more suitable and less specific use for the PNW i.e. take it out on a pow day and also days after when the snow gets super dense and chopped up aka cascade concrete.

2) Not seeing a ton on the Draco Freebird. Really like where they are going with that for a touring ski. Anyone repping it out west i.e. Tahoe, Oregon, Washington?

[mr_pretzel]

So is the Nocta done for? I have the special edition orange ones from last year but I almost want to buy a backup pair if that’s the case.

How do you like the v3 vs v2?