The Black Crows Orb Freebird: for those who are there on business (as the sidewall claims) or have steep skiing on their mind.

The Black Crows Orb Freebird: for those who are there on business (as the sidewall claims) or have steep skiing on their mind.

 

Yellow. Evidently, made for those that are “there” on business. And 8000-meter peak worthy. A first look at the Orb Freebird.

 

Many of the 90mm category skis I have reviewed and/or skied over the years are decisively built for steep, firm snow. Skis like the Dynastar M-Vertical 88 and Fischer Transalp 92 have lots of camber, long turn radii, and long effective edge lengths that make them confident in the steeps but a bit unforgiving and certainly not easygoing. 

Black Crow’s 90mm offering, the Orb—featured on the cover of issue 1.0 of The High Route magazine—bridges the gap between something like the Camox Freebird or Voile V6 (easygoing, short radius, rocker, taper, etc), and the aforementioned more businesslike skis. With an 18m radius, a bit of taper in the tips and tails, and a touch more tip rocker and less camber than the other highlighter yellow skis in my current possession (Transalp 92), the Orb is at least a bit more easygoing. 

 

As if the bright yellow didn’t stake it’s claim already, “I’m here on business” is a suitable reminder.

As if the bright yellow didn’t stake it’s claim already, “I’m here on business” is a suitable reminder.

 

So far this winter, bigger skis have been necessary for the Teton’s high peaks (more to manage the wind effect than the powder), but I have had some excellent groomer runs at Snow King on the Orb. Where the Transalp 92 was great for its high-energy groomer-skiing attributes, the Orb feels more forgiving and intuitive without feeling soft or unengaged. Certainly, the weight (1970g/ski, including a Marker Alpinist Demo binding, reported at 1400g flat) plays a large role here. While you won’t catch me taking along a 1400g/90mm/173cm ski on my absolute biggest days or long, less technical spring tours, this size-to-weight ratio is enticing for steep, technical descents. 

 

The Black Crows Orb Freebird sports some camber under foot for better bite in form conditions.

The Black Crows Orb Freebird sports some camber under foot for better bite in form conditions.

 

Just a modest amount of tip rocker.

Just a modest amount of tip rocker.

 

Same same in the tails: a more traditional rocker profile, meaning not much.

Same same in the tails: a more traditional rocker profile, meaning not much.

 

We will report back with a full write-up on the Orb once we have some high mountain time. Among High Route contributors, Billy and Adam have significant time and descents under their belts on the Orb, including their Gasherbrum trip this past summer.

 

Orb Freebird Basics

Construction: Semi-cap and cap in tip area, otherwise, full ABS sidewall.

Core: Paulownia wood core with fiberglass-carbon strands mix, added Titanal reinforcement under the bindings.

Dimensions 173cm (mm): 126 / 90 / 112

Radius: 18m

Price: $850.00