Orange+black= already look kind of iconic.

Orange+black= already look kind of iconic.

 

A new, Orange, Black Crows ski arrived for testing the other day. A replacement for the Ferox? A wider Atris? Named after a Harry Potter character? A whole new beast of freeride Freebird? 

 

Black Crows Draco Freebird, 189 cm Metrics

Available lengths (cm): 176.2, 181.5, 189.2

Dimensions (mm): 139-112-127 [189.2]

Radius (m): 23

Mass (g): Claimed: 2050

Mount Position (cm from center): -5

Construction Highlights: Paulownia/Poplar core, partial ABS sidewall

Shape: Relatively long radius, tapered tip and tail

Profile: Long rockered tip, camber underfoot, aggressively rockered and twin tipped tail

Binding & Boot Pairing Tested: Kingpin Demo bindings, Tecnica Zero G Tour Pro

Similar Models: 4FRNT Hoji, Moment Deathwish, Black Crows Ferox

MSRP: $1149.95

Draco Freebird Dimensions (mm): 139-112-127 [189.2].

Draco Freebird dimensions (mm): 139-112-127 [189.2].

 

Let's get lost: the mark of the Black Crows brand—the sidewall poetry.

The mark of the Black Crows brand—the sidewall poetry.

 

Something that has always intrigued me about Black Crows is the diversity of offerings within their lineup. While some brands sell a lineup with X name + width, essentially slimming or widening from a base design, each ski in the Black Crows line is unique. From the 80mm Mentis, right on through to the widest Draco, the Freebird line is home to many ski-personalities. 

Perhaps a comparison with the famous “Pink ski” the Corvus Freebird is a good place to start. The Draco is a bit like a freestyle-Corvus. Designers add a twin tip and more tail rocker, as well as moving the mount 5cm forward (from -10cm on Corvus Freebird to -5cm on Draco Freebird). There are other differences too, like a slight weight and turning radius increase for the Draco. 

 

“Long rockered tip” = ample tip splay illustrated on the Black Crows Draco Freebird.

 

The Draco's tail rocker has the imprint of a playful ski.

The Draco’s tail rocker has the imprint of a playful ski.

 

In practice, it seems like the Draco will be a loose, playful powder ski that will likely be quite comfortable at high speed. I’m excited to compare with my favorite daily driver/powder ski the last few seasons, the 4FRNT Hoji. Despite some obvious differences in design (the Hoji has reverse camber and a flat tail), I can see them having a lot in common with the Draco. While you won’t catch me skiing backwards, we wrangled Slator Aplin to give his take as a more playful skier (and writer?).

Here is what Slator had to say about the Draco:

“I overheard online rumors of this new sexy orange addition to the freebird lineup. The rumors include language like ‘lightweight atris’ and ‘more playful corvus freebird’. I liked the sounds of that. The rumors grew when small snippets of video started to pop up. It was videos from inspirational Black Crows athletes like Sam Favret, Nikolai Schirmer, and Christina Lusti skiing on said sexy orange ski. The skis looked gently rockered on both ends. The skiing looked slashy and sassy.

“The curiosity to sample the newest offering from the freebird lineup hasn’t waned. I like rockered skis. Black Crows historically designs distinct and quality skis. I’m excited to see what the Draco is all about.”