Black Crows Camox Freebird Skis 2022

The Black Crows Camox Freebird is the most popular model in their very successful Freebird line-up. It's a backcountry ski that perfectly balances the demand for performance with comfortable handling which, with the 96mm waist and the tip and tail rocker, makes it super versatile. The paulownia wood core ensures the weight is kept down without affecting the strength and is reinforced with Titanal in the binding area for increased torsional rigidity and edge grip. It's light enough for multi-day tours and it has the ski ability to keep up with pretty much any mid 90mm waisted model.

Terrain Type & Ability Level

Terrain Type
The Freebird is the lighter version of the standard Camox and is a verstaile backcountry option, designed to be paired up with a hike enabled binding. It has the right mix of grip and comfortable handling to be happy in everything from steeper, firmer slopes to gentler and softer conditions. If you want to charge and prefer trickier terrain then check out the Navis Freebird, but if you need one ski to do everything and that you can relax on as well, then the Camox is the ideal choice.

Skier Type
It's for backcountry skiers who want to be in every type of snow and tackle all but the gnarliest terrain. The shape and construction balance the requirements for skiing faster and more aggressively with those needed for softer snow or skiing at a more relaxed pace. It will grip and respond when it's pushed but it isn't going to punish the legs when you want to ease off.

Overview

Shape
96mm in the waist with a 17m radius (178cm) make this an excellent all rounder, capable of dealing with any snow. Stable and wide enough to deal with soft or mixed conditions and still lay down medium and long radius turns on piste. Tapered tips and tails improve the handling in soft and variable snow.

Rocker
The Camox Freebird uses a progressive front rocker with a slight rear rocker and medium camber underfoot. This gives excellent pivot control and maoneuvrability with good planeing too. The slight rise on the tail helps turn completion without interferring with skin placement or the ability to place the tail in the snow. The camber improves stability and the nose rocker makes turning easier whatever the conditions.

Core
A paulownia wood core has excellent strength to weight characteristics and ensures good energy. This is reinforced with Titanal in the binding area to add strength and exra torsional rigidity for edge grip, without over-stiffening the ski. Overall, this core set-up helps the Camox Freebird feel a bit more forgiving than the Navis Freebird.

Construction
The cap sidewall mix offers the best of both. The cap sections at the tip and tail increase durability and help with ease in and out of the turn. The sidewall improves the grip and precision. This combination works well on a 97mm ski as it allows strong skiing on firm snow and isn't over-responsive when the conditions get difficult or soft.

Key Features

EB tester’s comments: Mark (Ski Trainer) The perfect blend of all mountain performance and lightness. It didn't feel overbearing yet there's plenty of power and grip for eager skiers who want to rip everywhere. It's light enough for a good skin up too. With a Shift or Kingpin you have the ultimate in versatility.

Technical Specifications

General Information

• Skier Ability: Advanced/Expert
• Terrain Type: Backcountry
• Rocker: Tip/Tail Rocker
• Radius: Medium
• Base: Sintered
• Bindings: Ski sold flat
• DIN: n/a
• Construction: Semi Sidewall
• Core: Wood, Carbon
• Demo: N/A
• Sizing Description: Go shorter for reduced weight and quicker climbing properties, chose a longer length for more floatation and stability.