The Black Crows thread

[Samski360]

I hope it is an Atris Freebird.

Me too! I have four days touring on the new Atris. So far I love it but it could definitely be lighter for a touring ski. Apparently Julian said he would never make an Atris Freebird, but maybe he’s seeing the light, considering so many BC athletes use the Atris strictly for touring (Nicholai, Lusti, etc)

[iriponsnow]

Corvus mounted.... FKNA Joey is a poor influence on me....

[Karl_H]

I don’t understand the reluctance to make an Atris Freebird. At least for powder touring in the Rockies, I think it would be way more popular than the other Freebirds.

Maybe I am off base, but it doesn’t seem that hard to reduce the weight of an Atris by ~200g without significantly changing the shape or flex pattern.

[waxman]

MEC has 35% off skis. 22/23 models as well. Noctas for $750 CAD. No 190s left though.

Not anymore. The frikkin skis just arrived in country mid December, the american venture capital group the owns MEC can't run an online store any better than the hippies that ran the co-op.

[SoVT Joey]

Corvus mounted.... FKNA Joey is a poor influence on me....

im sitting on my couch with lupos on and that’s all your fault. So I guess we’re even. Lol.

[g_man80]

My 2022 188 Corvus was just delivered. Hand flexing they seem quite stout. A bit stiffer than I was expecting. My two most recent skis were the 186 QST Blank and 188 Rustler 11. The Corvus will be my every day ski for the Wasatch. This includes upper mountain tech, trees, and crud, as well as noodling around greens and blues with my kid. I'm wondering if I'm going to be in for a bad time if using the Corvus for all things. Too demanding? Thinking either exchange for the 183 or return and continue the search for a Blank replacement. Considering the Atris, but wish they had a size between 184 and 189, and also worried about stability at speed through tracked up junk. For reference, 6' 172lbs.

[Robik]

My 2022 188 Corvus was just delivered. Hand flexing they seem quite stout. A bit stiffer than I was expecting. My two most recent skis were the 186 QST Blank and 188 Rustler 11. The Corvus will be my every day ski for the Wasatch. This includes upper mountain tech, trees, and crud, as well as noodling around greens and blues with my kid. I'm wondering if I'm going to be in for a bad time if using the Corvus for all things. Too demanding? Thinking either exchange for the 183 or return and continue the search for a Blank replacement. Considering the Atris, but wish they had a size between 184 and 189, and also worried about stability at speed through tracked up junk. For reference, 6' 172lbs.

You'll be absolutely fine in all those conditions. The only place where Corvus didn't shine in Wasatch was heavy April storm day, but I had Nocta on my feet that morning and obviously it was a better match for the conditions. The only reason I went with Katana 108 this year over Corvus is a more rearward mount point, but it's very personal. SovtJoey is daily driving his Corvuses at the East.

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[Pins and Skins]

To the BC collective:

Any thoughts on the differences between the Corvus and the Solis (besides the obvious radius/width/rocker profile)? Joey, I know you have both, care to comment? Be interested to know how they compare in various conditions.

[alpinevibes]

To the BC collective:

Any thoughts on the differences between the Corvus and the Solis (besides the obvious radius/width/rocker profile)? Joey, I know you have both, care to comment? Be interested to know how they compare in various conditions.

Comparing the Corvus Freebird to the Solis for touring?

[Pins and Skins]

Nah, not the FB as I know it's a completely different construction. The regular Corvus vs the Solis, for either a heavier touring rig and/or an all-mountain charger.

I know the Solis is meant to be specialized, but it seems to have a similar layup to the Corvus while having a more pronounced rocker profile (but still subtle) so wondering how it would ski vs the Corvus

Comparing the Corvus Freebird to the Solis for touring?

[Mustonen]

My 2022 188 Corvus was just delivered. Hand flexing they seem quite stout. A bit stiffer than I was expecting. My two most recent skis were the 186 QST Blank and 188 Rustler 11. The Corvus will be my every day ski for the Wasatch. This includes upper mountain tech, trees, and crud, as well as noodling around greens and blues with my kid. I'm wondering if I'm going to be in for a bad time if using the Corvus for all things. Too demanding? Thinking either exchange for the 183 or return and continue the search for a Blank replacement. Considering the Atris, but wish they had a size between 184 and 189, and also worried about stability at speed through tracked up junk. For reference, 6' 172lbs.

I think you’ll be fine. I’d happily daily my 188 Corvus wherever at 5’9” and 160lbs in all those conditions. Super capable ski. FWIW, I get along much better with mine mounted -2.

[iriponsnow]

Considering the Atris, but wish they had a size between 184 and 189, and also worried about stability at speed through tracked up junk. For reference, 6' 172lbs.

I have the 184 & its mounted forward some.... Thinking I may go 189 next time; Skis short due to running length; I'm 145# 5'9".

[MagnificentUnicorn]

My 2022 188 Corvus was just delivered. Hand flexing they seem quite stout. A bit stiffer than I was expecting. My two most recent skis were the 186 QST Blank and 188 Rustler 11. The Corvus will be my every day ski for the Wasatch. This includes upper mountain tech, trees, and crud, as well as noodling around greens and blues with my kid. I'm wondering if I'm going to be in for a bad time if using the Corvus for all things. Too demanding? Thinking either exchange for the 183 or return and continue the search for a Blank replacement. Considering the Atris, but wish they had a size between 184 and 189, and also worried about stability at speed through tracked up junk. For reference, 6' 172lbs.

The 188 will be fine. In spite of the stiffness they are very maneuverable. The rocker and relative lightness help.

After a few days on the 188 I didn’t hesitate to take a trade for 193s. I prefer them in any type of snow over my MFREE 108s, which I use as a powder ski if there’s more than a foot of new snow

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[Mustonen]

The 188 will be fine. In spite of the stiffness they are very maneuverable. The rocker and relative lightness help.


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This. The word flickable keeps coming to mind, at least compared to other 10X chargers. I think this is becoming my “not sure what I’m gonna run into”/travel ski.

[MagnificentUnicorn]

This. The word flickable keeps coming to mind, at least compared to other 10X chargers. I think this is becoming my “not sure what I’m gonna run into”/travel ski.

They’re not the best in deep pow but passable and still really fun. They are awesome in crud but are so easy to throw sideways to dump speed or making quick direction changes. On softer groomers they trench. I’m becoming less enamored with ski that have large tapered tips with tons of splay. The Corvus just slices through weird snow similar to the original Invictus and Cochise.


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[Samski360]

Any interest in a mentis 178 FLAT quiver killed for plum guides at 313mm? I skied it once, but I get too rowdy for a ski like that. It skied good for its size and weight, but who the fuck am I kidding I never have interest in using it for it’s potential, too much weed and chill for that. Like 500 flat with skins shipped. I’ll post them in gear swap later. I have the mentis special skins.

Joey - Thoughts on the Mentis? Considering adding a ski in that class to the quiver. I have Camox that has been my do everything mountaineering/objective oriented ski. Wouldn’t mind a lighter ski, but not at the cost of it skiing substantially shittier.

[SoVT Joey]

Joey - Thoughts on the Mentis? Considering adding a ski in that class to the quiver. I have Camox that has been my do everything mountaineering/objective oriented ski. Wouldn’t mind a lighter ski, but not at the cost of it skiing substantially shittier.

it doesn’t ski terribly. Skis like a zero g 85. Capable and will do what ever you want. It’s very light. Very well built. The skin system is great. If you want a light ski set up, it fits the bill.

I just don’t care about how much longer it takes being a pound or two heavier per foot, I’d rather take my time and spend more time outside.


oh and the Solis vs Corvus, Corvus is more stable, longer running edge, less rocker, and has a faster tip splay. I know the Solis skis well in open alpine but I have no idea about trees and fresh powder. I never grab them for fresh snow. I use them for hard and shitty variable snow when touring. They ski well enough that if I was shorter I would consider a alpine clamp on them and ski them in bounds. The are definitely heavy for touring but provide excellent capabilities in anything you find.

[kid-kapow]

I don’t understand the reluctance to make an Atris Freebird. At least for powder touring in the Rockies, I think it would be way more popular than the other Freebirds.

Maybe I am off base, but it doesn’t seem that hard to reduce the weight of an Atris by ~200g without significantly changing the shape or flex pattern.

It probably just makes too much sense. I mean, making a lighter version of your most popular ski as a dedicated option for touring is probably too bland a solution for BC - everything needs to be its own thing in this lineup!

so yeah, any such relactance sounds odd, and more based on a preconceived notion than an actual analysis of the curreent 50/50 -> touring market.

I fondled some Atris 184s last week, and man - the shovels / section ahead of the binding area seem very soft. It made me curious to try them back to back with DPS Koala 103s, a similar shape, if with narrower shovels that is also a fair bit stiffer. I enjoy k103s a lot.

[SoVT Joey]

I think you hit that spot on. And in all reality the weight of the Atris is not that heavy. I’m more then happy to tour on mine with duke pts, that’s why I quiver killed them. Same goes for the nocta, if you are going to find the killer snow, why sacrifice the ride down. It’s the difference between powder finding missions and touring.

[Pins and Skins]

Thanks a lot buddy. You read my mind re the Solis. I am having a pair of 180s mounted up with Pivots for resort shredding. Seems like no one has done this so will report back when I get a chance to get out...

it doesn’t ski terribly. Skis like a zero g 85. Capable and will do what ever you want. It’s very light. Very well built. The skin system is great. If you want a light ski set up, it fits the bill.

I just don’t care about how much longer it takes being a pound or two heavier per foot, I’d rather take my time and spend more time outside.


oh and the Solis vs Corvus, Corvus is more stable, longer running edge, less rocker, and has a faster tip splay. I know the Solis skis well in open alpine but I have no idea about trees and fresh powder. I never grab them for fresh snow. I use them for hard and shitty variable snow when touring. They ski well enough that if I was shorter I would consider a alpine clamp on them and ski them in bounds. The are definitely heavy for touring but provide excellent capabilities in anything you find.

[Samski360]

It probably just makes too much sense. I mean, making a lighter version of your most popular ski as a dedicated option for touring is probably too bland a solution for BC - everything needs to be its own thing in this lineup!

so yeah, any such relactance sounds odd, and more based on a preconceived notion than an actual analysis of the curreent 50/50 -> touring market.

I fondled some Atris 184s last week, and man - the shovels / section ahead of the binding area seem very soft. It made me curious to try them back to back with DPS Koala 103s, a similar shape, if with narrower shovels that is also a fair bit stiffer. I enjoy k103s a lot.

The new Atris is definitely soft in hand flex, but they don’t feel noodly at all. Very poppy and playful. In soft snow there’s a lot of energy loading up the ski and bouncing between turns. Definitely not a charger, but neither was the previous version of the Atris. The new Atris definitely likes to go fast though, especially in soft snow. Even though the tip is fairly soft, it doesn’t fold, IME.

Overall I think the old Atris felt floatier and surfier whereas the new Atris feels a little more playful. Kind of prefer the old Atris for resort and new Atris for touring.

[alpinevibes]

I think you hit that spot on. And in all reality the weight of the Atris is not that heavy. I’m more then happy to tour on mine with duke pts, that’s why I quiver killed them. Same goes for the nocta, if you are going to find the killer snow, why sacrifice the ride down. It’s the difference between powder finding missions and touring.

Exactly. Beyond the reality that the weights aren't insane, I think Julien just wants the Atris to be what it is and have it's own lane. The Ferox was a gesture towards a towards an Atris-ish, ~200g less touring option, but obviously that didn't blow minds.

My wife has now had a week on her new '23 Atris 178 and loves them. We got her '22 Atris Birdie 178 and she never jived with them for some reason, despite loving her 1st gen Atris birdie in 178.

That said: Selling her 2022 Atris Birdie 178 drilled once for Aattack 13 at 285mm and 2016 Atris Birdie 178 w/ Axial 3's at 286mm. Holler if you're interested, both are in good shape

[Stuntmonkey]

Exactly. Beyond the reality that the weights aren't insane, I think Julien just wants the Atris to be what it is and have it's own lane. The Ferox was a gesture towards a towards an Atris-ish, ~200g less touring option, but obviously that didn't blow minds.

My wife has now had a week on her new '23 Atris 178 and loves them. We got her '22 Atris Birdie 178 and she never jived with them for some reason, despite loving her 1st gen Atris birdie in 178.

That said: Selling her 2022 Atris Birdie 178 drilled once for Aattack 13 at 285mm and 2016 Atris Birdie 178 w/ Axial 3's at 286mm. Holler if you're interested, both are in good shape

I would be interested in the '22s for my wife. Pretty long for her but fuck it why not. Hahah.

[Karl_H]

Exactly. Beyond the reality that the weights aren't insane, I think Julien just wants the Atris to be what it is and have it's own lane. The Ferox was a gesture towards a towards an Atris-ish, ~200g less touring option, but obviously that didn't blow minds.

The Beast 108, Wildcat Tour 108, Vision 108, and maybe even the Raven seem more Atris-like than the Ferox. The rocker profile of the Ferox looks may more similar to the Navis than the Atris.

I think the lesson here is not that a lighter Atris is a bad idea, but that the Ferox was a weird design that did not appeal to very many people.

[kid-kapow]

The new Atris is definitely soft in hand flex, but they don’t feel noodly at all. Very poppy and playful. In soft snow there’s a lot of energy loading up the ski and bouncing between turns. Definitely not a charger, but neither was the previous version of the Atris. The new Atris definitely likes to go fast though, especially in soft snow. Even though the tip is fairly soft, it doesn’t fold, IME.

Overall I think the old Atris felt floatier and surfier whereas the new Atris feels a little more playful. Kind of prefer the old Atris for resort and new Atris for touring.

thanks for the beta - super interesting to hear how people are getting on with them

The 108 to 105 move makes a ton of sense from a market segmenting move imho, as does making them more nimble and lively. They should appeal to a ton of skiers.

And in all reality the weight of the Atris is not that heavy. I’m more then happy to tour on mine with duke pts, that’s why I quiver killed them. Same goes for the nocta, if you are going to find the killer snow, why sacrifice the ride down. It’s the difference between powder finding missions and touring.

also true - the system weight with light tech bindings is more than acceptable and should ski really well

Even when people have terrible taste in bindings and want to copy Schirmer