Like any outdoor enthusiast, I love talking, buying and reading about all the latest gear. I have been skiing since I was small and finally bought my first pair of skis back in 2017 after my first few pay cheques from a summer job. Now, after using them for three seasons, I feel informed to review them through the lens of design engineering and compare them to what’s new on the market today.
My skis are a pair of 2017 Black Crow Orbs. To anyone who doesn’t ski (or just doesn’t care all that much about ski brands) Black Crows is a relatively young company that was born in Chamonix in 2006. Its founders, Camille Jaccoux and Bruno Compagnet, were two quite different characters but brought together by a shared, deep passion for skiing. Camille had skied on the French mogul team competitively but quit skiing and came to London in his early twenties. Meanwhile, Bruno lived full time in the mountains; guiding canyons in the Pyrenees for the summer months and skiing in the winter. One crow was comfortable in the city life; a slick, fashionable, black sheep of the ski world with a mind for marketing looking for something new. The other, was a freeride icon who rocked baggy clothes and dreadlocks, touring around in his beaten-up van hunting big lines. These contrasting urban and reggae styles were united by their frustrations on what was being offered on the ski market in the early 2000s. Freeride (skiing/boarding away from the marked and bashed piste on natural terrain, usually in deep snow known as powder) was becoming increasingly popular within the masses but these two skiing purest couldn’t find everything they wanted in one ski. During dinner together in Chamonix, or so the story goes, in 2005 they discussed what would their perfect ski be. They dreamed of something playful and aggressive, a ski that “combined a wingspan big enough to withstand high-speed turns and a shape which could endure sudden changes in direction”- Black Crows. From this description Christophe Villemin helped design and produce 350 units of the Corvus model; this ski was a Frankenstein-like mash-up of the best features of from virtually every freeride ski in existence. This reliable yet nimble big mountain ski caught the eye of skiing enthusiasts with its bright pink graphics. It was new, exciting and started a journey for Black Crows which has since produced 86 different models, branched out to ski accessories and collected several awards. It was important to explain the origins of the company to give context to any review. The rocker (don’t worry all will be explained), tail flex, tip shape; every aspect has been designed and refined to simply bring skiers joy.
Now, back to my Orbs. This design approach of putting skiing enjoyment as the primary objective saw them branch out to a variety of sizes and shapes to cover more of the mountain. Essentially; wider skis are more suited to deeper snow to spread the skiers weight out and help them float, narrower skis can go faster over groomed piste by rolling from edge to edge quicker. The typical range for skis would be between a 68mm to 122mm waist (the ski width underfoot) and everything in between includes resort, freestyle, touring and all mountain. Orbs have produced for over a decade and each year an improved version is released. The 2017 model have a 91mm waist, a classic camber and a 17% tip rocker - camber and rocker describe the side elevation curve of a ski or snowboard. A classic camber means the mid-section of the ski rises upward naturally but flexes in the turn to provide pressure on the tip and tail. The Orb’s front rocker gradually bends the front tip upwards to mimic the more extreme shape of freeride skis to help the ski break heavier snow and ride above it. Meanwhile, the flatter tail gives grip and the ability to control speed in turning. The Orb features double titanal plates laminated with fibreglass to give the ski stiffness and control at high speeds. Titanal is a metal alloy who’s name is thrown around a lot in ski design. It is an isotropic material, meaning it is consistent in any direction, and is approximately 85% aluminium with zinc, magnesium and copper. This stiffness can definitely be felt in the ride on hard, icy faces and in high speed turns. This ski is sturdy and gives a sense of confidence to ride more aggressively on the piste without compromising a waist to handle deeper snow. The fat, freeride style edges are durable but can still bite in during steep, carving turns. Earlier models of the Orb were criticised for limited mobility at slower speeds and struggling in tighter turns but the design progression has evolved it into a high performing ski that can handle itself anywhere. For me, it was the perfect ski to enjoy cruising the piste fast and encourage me to venture of into any snow condition with something I trusted to carry me.
This is not an advertisement for Black Crows but simply a reflection on the ski I have the most experience with and an explanation of why I respect their brand. Other skis on the market today that interest me are Atomic’s Bent Chetler and Faction’s Candide ranges. Both were designed in conjunction with top level skiers Chris Benchetler and Candide Thovex. Chris Benchetler is a particularly interesting skier, surfer and artist. He has worked with Atomic for over a decade designing his own skis for his use as a professional skier. More recent models have taken inspiration from the tip and tail shapes of surfboards to encourage the smooth flow over the snow to be like a surfboard cutting through waves. Benchetler has always expressed how similar surfing and skiing are and how doing both has improved his flare and style on skis. He also designs the graphic wraps for his skis and, since completing murals and other projects, is an artist in his own right. Candide Thovex has pushed the boundaries of skiing and that’s communicated through his ski-filmmaking. His playful style of skiing and humorous videos is mirrored in the Faction ski range. The five different skis of various widths are light and fun with twin rockers to encourage air on and off pistes.
I think I have made it clear that I could discuss skis and skiers all day. I am in awe of how far skis have come particularly in the last 20 years. For hundreds of years they were heavy and wooden, used as functional modes of transport with metal, rigid bindings. With the rise of other adventure sports through the eighties such as snowboarding and surfing; their influences on skiing are clear. It became about having fun on the mountain and specialising skis to allow skiers to do new things. Manufacturing and design has made these things possible but it is the personal connection to a pair of skis that engages the user to the them as a product. They respond and react as they’re used and connect you to the mountain. It is this combination of design engineering and personality that makes it deserving as a mention in the conversation of what great design is.
I would recommend to watch these if the exploits of modern ski design is something that you find interesting:
The Original Crows: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnKO70399rU
Chris Benchetler: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNs68O5JSKg
Candide Thovex: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVmQ60_8Oks
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