Freeride skis
Product 2026
Woman, Man
From the very first runs, we gave the Black Crows Atris Birdie our First Test4Outside Award. It’s a stunning, high-performing ski that strikes an impressive balance between power and ease of use. Above all, it’s remarkably versatile. You might expect a 100% freeride ski built only for deep powder days—but that’s not the case. On hardpack, the Atris Birdie truly shines.
On firm snow, you can ease it into a turn with a skid or go straight for an edge engagement—the Atris Birdie responds with smooth, confidence-inspiring grip. You can push it into high edge angles and it won’t give in. Bonus points for turn-shape versatility: though its stated radius is 19 meters (tested in 172 cm), it can easily open up into long arcs or tighten into shorter turns, provided the skier stays active and drives the front of the ski.
This ski feels trustworthy and composed—it’s always at the skier’s command and never unpredictable. The tail releases easily and never locks you in, thanks to a well-tuned, progressive flex. It’s never hooky or sluggish.
One of its standout qualities is its pivot. Turn initiation feels totally intuitive—no thought required. It enters the turn quickly but never over-commits; it’s up to the skier to shape the rest of the arc. The Atris Birdie nails the balance between responsiveness and control.
On hard snow at high speed, the rockered tip can chatter a bit and produces that characteristic sound reminiscent of some Blizzard skis. But despite the noise, there’s no loss of grip or control.
The raised tails are a pain in ski racks, but that’s a small trade-off.
We also loved it in moguls and tight trees—it’s playful, nimble, and handles quick turns effortlessly. You can easily size up without fear of being overpowered.
In powder and off-piste terrain, the Atris Birdie is pure joy. It loves to open up and float, absorbing terrain features with confidence and composure. It stays smooth in direct lines and delivers excellent glide, backed by Black Crows’ signature sintered base. The top sheet features a beautiful trompe-l’œil effect—fresh, modern, and unmistakably Black Crows.
As always with the brand, a small printed motto adds personality: “Passive, aggressive.” The top sheet is a bit slippery when carrying skis, and the exposed fiber on tip and tail can mark quickly, but those are minor details.
Overall, the Black Crows Atris Birdie is a highly capable, accessible freeride ski with great stability and a refined flex profile. It’s everything a freeride ski should be—and a well-deserved First Test Award winner.
We used this equipment over a long period of time
These are our thoughts after intensive use:
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