Black Crows

Black Crows Ski Poles Black Crows backpacks Black Crows All Terrain Ski Black Crows Big Mountain Ski Black Crows Birdie Ski Black Crows Freebird touring ski Black Crows Junior Ski

Black Crows – For adventures off-piste and on the slopes

Black Crows is an independent French freeski brand based in Chamonix. It was founded in 2006 by freeskiers Camille Jaccoux and Bruno Compagnet with the aim of combining performance-oriented products with a distinctive design. Today, the range includes skis for on-piste, all-terrain, big mountain and ski touring, as well as ski poles, skins, bags and clothing.

The brand is aimed primarily at skiers who want to combine functionality, modern freeski design and a clear focus on different types of terrain. The choice is determined less by eye-catching aesthetics than by the specific intended use: a resort ski prioritises different requirements to a wide big-mountain ski or a lightweight Freebird touring ski.

What Black Crows products are available?

The brand focuses on skis. The range is complemented by ski poles, ski skins, rucksacks, ski bags, spare parts, and technical and everyday clothing. The product ranges are tailored to different types of skiing and can be combined accordingly.

Skiing	Trail, all-terrain, freeride and ski tours	Terrain, driving style, centre width, length and construction
Poles	Resort, Freeride, Tour und Junior	Length, material, grip and adjustability
Ski skins	Ascent on touring skis	Compatibility with model, length and width
Bags and rucksacks	Transport and route operations	Capacity, carrying system and intended use
Clothing	Skiing and leisure	Weather protection, insulation, freedom of movement and fit

➡ Black Crows offers a cohesive range of products; however, your choice should always be based on the actual intended use.

What does Black Crows stand for?

Black Crows describes itself as a design-focused freeski brand that aims to combine functionality with visual identity. Its designs are characterised by geometric topsheets, high-contrast colours and the recurring chevron pattern. The design ensures high brand recognition, but is only one part of the product development process.

The brand’s origins in Chamonix shape its positioning. The terrain around Mont Blanc ranges from groomed slopes and technical off-piste routes to major freeride runs and ski touring destinations. The product range is correspondingly broad, covering resort, all-terrain, big mountain and ski touring.

The Corvus is regarded as the original Black Crows ski and embodies the brand’s big-mountain roots. Since then, the range has been expanded to include more accessible all-terrain models, piste-oriented skis, junior models and lightweight touring skis.

➡ The Black Crows originated in freeriding, but today they cannot be reduced to simply being wide powder skis.

How do you choose Black Crows products?

When making a selection, you should first determine the type of product and then the specific intended use. For skis, snow conditions, skiing style, ability and height are key criteria. You should then compare the technical specifications of the specific product.

Determine the intended use: piste, all-terrain, freeride or touring.
Describe your driving style: precise and fast, versatile or playful.
Compare product features: width, length, weight and construction.
Choose the right accessories: bindings, skins, poles or a carrying solution.
Select a specific model based on the technical specifications.

Different selection criteria apply to clothing and equipment. Here, the focus is on weather protection, weight, freedom of movement, pack size and compatibility. A touring pole, for example, must meet different requirements to a fixed resort or freeride pole.

Who is Black Crows suitable for?

The range is aimed at different target groups depending on the product and model. All-terrain and resort skis may appeal to skiers who mainly ski in ski resorts. Big-mountain products are more suited to experienced skiers who require stability, float and control in off-piste terrain. The Freebird range is designed for ski touring and strikes a balance between low weight for ascents and performance on the descent.

Skiers who combine piste and off-piste skiing
Freeriders who specialise in variable snow conditions
Ski tourers looking for lightweight, downhill-oriented kit
Riders who prefer to ride at their own pace
advanced and experienced skiers with specific requirements

Not every product is automatically high-performance. What matters is how well the specific model is tailored to your needs. Width, flex, rocker, radius and weight vary significantly across the range.

Black Crows for piste, freeride, touring and racing

The brand is primarily positioned in the all-terrain, freeride, big mountain and ski touring segments. For sporty skiing on groomed slopes, there are resort skis and narrower all-terrain skis. Wider big-mountain models are available for long runs and soft snow, whilst the Freebird series covers the ski touring segment.

Black Crows, on the other hand, is not a traditional racing brand for FIS slalom or giant slalom. Individual skis may be tuned for a sporty yet smooth ride, but they are not automatically equivalent to specialised racing skis. In freeride races or competitions in open terrain, big-mountain models can be a suitable option, depending on the course and the skier’s profile.

Advantages and potential limitations

✓ Wide range of freeski equipment	Products for piste, off-piste, powder and ski touring
✓ clear categories of use	make it easier to find your way around at first
✓ independent design	high recognition value
✓ Matching accessories	Skis, skins, poles and bags can be combined
⚠ Significant differences within the brand	Check the model and technical specifications carefully
⚠ Not primarily intended for traditional motor racing	not a typical FIS race organisation
⚠ Wide freeride skis are not suitable for every situation	On hard surfaces, greater power may be required
⚠ Lightweight touring gear sets priorities	A low weight may come at the expense of damping

FAQ

Where does Black Crows come from?

Black Crows was founded in Chamonix, France, in 2006. The brand is closely linked to the freeskiing and mountaineering culture of the Mont Blanc region.

Is Black Crows just a ski brand?

Skis form the core of the range. In addition, Black Crows offers, amongst other things, ski poles, skins, bags, rucksacks, clothing and spare parts.

Is Black Crows purely a freeride brand?

No. The brand has its roots in freeriding, but the range now also includes resort, all-terrain, touring and junior products.

What does ‘Freebird’ mean at Black Crows?

‘Freebird’ refers to the touring focus within the range. The skis feature lighter constructions designed to combine efficiency on the ascent with performance on the descent.

Which Black Crows products go well together?

Touring skis, for example, can be combined with suitable skins and adjustable touring poles. For resort or freeride skis, fixed ski poles and suitable carry bags are the obvious choice. Compatibility should be checked for each specific product.

Sources and further links

Infobox

The Corvus is the brand’s original ski and still symbolises Black Crows’ big-mountain roots to this day. Today’s range is considerably broader and also includes piste, all-terrain, touring and junior products.