Black Crows is redesigning one of their iconic and historic models this winter, the Corvus. More than a redesign, it's really a new ski, one that's quite far removed from its usual programme: a charger with an appetite for powder thanks to its flat camber rather than its rockers.The old Corvus had flat camber and a long radius and it wasn't a secret that you had to work hard to turn short in tight spots, and even harder at low speeds without immaculate powder. With this new Corvus, the flat camber is out, and we're back to a more traditional camber that's still fairly light. It's still a 110 mm wide ski underfoot, so we're not looking for the same dynamic rebound as an all-mountain.There's still titanal underfoot, but only one plate instead of the 2 on the old one. The spatula is considerably softer and instead of a flat heel, Julien Regnier, the shaper, has designed a superb pin-tail heel. The result is a ski that's still very solid underfoot but more forgiving at the tips. Unlike the old Corvus, the new one has a real ability to drift, the heel no longer drags but instead drifts on demand, the ‘surf’ effect of the pin tail works to the full. The new Corvus also tolerates skiing with a more centred stance, whereas the old one required mandatory pressure on the tibia to work. The 2026 Corvus has broadened its horizons, adding a touch of fun to a ski that didn't have any at all, and retaining a good ability to charge with confidence, but beware that its supple tip has reduced the skis's effectiveness in chopped up and variable snow - what is gained in pleasure is effectively lost in efficiency.Overall though performance and pleasure are much improved and for skiers looking for a serious ski that adapts to the terrain and the power you put into it, the new Corvus is a lot of fun.
