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Review: Black Crows Draco Freebird

By

Gavin Hess

Black Crows Draco.

The Draco has a loose tail, and each turn exists in a gray area (a slarve perhaps?) of tail sliding and carving. This opens up a world of nuance where it feels intuitive and easy to scrub a bit more speed with more tail washout, or drive the tails for more of a carving sensation.

  Black Crows needs no further introduction around these parts; their Green, Pink, and Red topsheets are ubiquitous in the North American ski touring scene. The Chamonix-based brand has enjoyed huge popularity and “cool factor” in recent years, owing not just to bright topsheets and great marketing but also a wide variety of good skis.…

Responses

  1. Slim

    Gavin,
    Which skis WOULD you choose these as a “high avalanche danger, meadow skipping ski” ones that don’t feel a bit “boaty” at low speed and require a lot of input. ?

    1. Gavin Hess

      Of things I have skied – I’d look at something like a DPS 112, one of the OGSO super rockers (cheaper option). My main criteria here is lots of surface area and sidecut. If they are sufficiently long to avoid low speed tip dive, the Reverse camber options from 4FRNT/Heritage Lab and others are also great fun.

      While I haven’t personally skied it, the Line Pescado seems like the ultimate low angle powder ski.

    2. Jason Albert

      Can confirm the DPS 112 is a pricey option. It’s a fun ski, if not “boaty,” a term Gavin used in the review, that I like. For me, I’m enjoying the 112 RP Pagoda Tour, but I enjoy them a bunch more with a beefier boot: Transalp Pro/ZG Tour Pro. The bigger boot makes them less “boaty” and more performance oriented. Also can indirectly confirm the OGSO Corbet’s SR UL is still a keeper for these conditions. My friend in Wyoming on these planks loves them.

  2. snowsailor

    Hi Gavin, thanks you for the great review.
    Does the Draco or the Hoji accepts more of a forward stance with pressure on the shovels? Which one would you recommend as a dedicated powder touring ski for a rather directional skier?

    1. Gavin Hess

      The Draco seemed to play more friendly with a more forward stance – the Hoji works well with with some tip pressure at high speeds, but it needs a bit more balance.

      While neither would meet the traditional qualification for a directional ski, the Draco would likely be my pick. When I think of directional powder skis, more subtle tip rocker and a pintail come to mind as desirable features. I’m blanking a little on more examples, but the Moonlight cruiser comes to mind as a powder ski that can (needs to be) be driven from an aggressive, forward stance, and has the mount point to compliment at ~-11 or so.

      1. snowsailor

        Thank you Gavin, that is very helpful. Does what you say apply also when comparing the Draco 181 to the Hoji 184? Which from the two is floatier?

        The Moonlight seems a bit too directional for my taste. Did you have any experience with the Locator 112?

        1. Gavin Hess

          Those are the lengths I have the most time on- so everything I said would apply well. I’m not sure it’s a simple answer as to which is floatier- they have similar surface area and lots of float in all but the deepest or really upside down snow, and both need some speed to come alive.

          I took a couple runs on a locator 112 a few years ago, it is much more comparable to the moonlight than the hoji or Draco. I remember feeling like the tail feeling somewhere between extremely supportive and sort of punishing. The upside being that a well executed turn felt like being shot out of a cannon, in a good way.

          1. snowsailor

            I recall you mentioned in a post that Hoji was your favorite powder ski. After having skiing the Draco as well, which from the two is now your personal preference?

            1. Gavin Hess

              The Hoji is still my preference – I’m pretty sold on reverse camber for most soft snow oriented touring.

              1. snowsailor

                Is it because of the advantage on breakable crust or other reasons as well? Do you have any experience with mounting them at -1cm?

          2. Peter H

            What length Hoji do you like, Gavin? Have you skied the Faction La Machine 3 Mega?

  3. Stevie G

    How would these compare to a Moment Wildcat 108/Deathwish (or lighter Tour versions)? The Dracos appear to sit in the middle on paper with waist width and mount point with similar weight, turning radius and twin tip design.

    1. Gavin Hess

      I haven’t spent much time on Wildcats, but I would suspect a very similar feel to the Draco, given all of the similarities as you pointed out.

      The Deathwish is a unique beast. It skis, in many ways, more similarly to a flat/reverse camber ski than a rocker-camber-rocker ski. Perhaps owing to the ‘flatness’ underfoot in the triple camber design. Given this, and the great edge hold the triple camber provides, it has more of the on/off feel vs the consistent super loose tail of the Draco.

  4. Stevie G

    Have you been on the new Corvus (not Freebird)? I’m curious what similarities and differences they have with the Draco Freebird since they seem very similar on paper.

    1. Billy Haas

      Hi Stevie,

      Full disclaimer here, I’ve been an athlete for Blackcrows for a while, but I can probably help describe the difference between the two skis as I’ve skied on them both now extensively.

      Personally, I had the same thought about the skis; similar width, radius, weight, ect… but I do find them to be quite a bit different.

      The Draco is as described, it’s easy to ski yet strong and a good ski for riding fast and loose. I find myself grabbing this ski more for powder days/storm skiing, and works well in playful terrain. It does have some camber to hold and edge, but it is an easily maneuverable ski. You also notice that the mount point feels a bit more towards the center.

      The Corvus (Not FB), is a bit lighter weight wise and skis a bit more like a “daily driver” in my mind. I am bringing this ski on powder days, but also for variable skiing, and have already skied some corn snow with it and it was a blast. It’s got a wide turn radius, but doesn’t feel that way. You also notice the slightly forward mount on it, and I’d recommend mounting this ski -1cm back (Got this tip from my friend Beau) and I really like that.

      I am 5’11” and 150# and I ski Draco and Corvus in the 175cm and 176cm respectively, some would call that short but I like it.

      Long story short: Draco more playful and freeride inspired, and the Corvus is more of an all arounder. Last thought, the Corvus FB is also a great ski that is in this category. I’d describe that as even more traditional of shape / “fall-line charging” then the normal Corvus which feels a tad more loose. Spectrum of playfulness Draco > Corvus > Corvus FB.

      Hope that helps, let me know if you have any questions.

      Billy

      1. Stevie G

        Billy,

        Thanks for your detailed response from experience with all 3 skis. I’ve got a couple follow up questions.

        I’m curious what you mean by “It’s got a wide turn radius, but doesn’t feel that way” in regards to the non-FB Corvus.

        What is your rationale behind the 176cm choice? I’m 4 inches shorter (same weight) and am on the fence between 176 and 181.

        What boot are you skiing it with? I’m planning to use my ZGTP and ATK FR15.

        Stevie

      2. Stevie G

        Did you change the mount point on the Draco as well or do you find the recommended line suits it well?

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