MEN’S FAT TOURING SKI OF THE YEAR – BLACK CROWS FEROX FREEBIRD
Some skis just make you laugh – in a good way. While we weren’t sure what to expect from the Ferox Freebird, it brought an instant smile to our faces. Cast your mind back to the turn of the millennium – does anyone remember the first time we skied the Salomon 1080? Well this feels like just as much fun!
Big boards (which will raise a snigger as some will not think of 110 as a big board) can feel unwieldy and weighty, but not these. Weighing in at 3600g a pair, they are far from a heavy ski yet they bring full-width powder-chasing into the touring category. The Ferox Freebird may be a hefty 8mm wider than the Navis but it only weighs a paltry extra 200g, so it offers a load more float for your freetouring buck.
Tech-wise, you’re looking at 3D semi cap construction with a poplar/paulownia wood core. Combined with the mix of glass and carbon fibre, this gives a lovely compromise between flex and stiffness. With a 136mm tip and a 126mm tail, this ski has a powerful 21m radius but the rocker feels like a twin-tip and makes it feel super nimble. Japow ski of choice for winter 2020? We think so.
STATS:
£730
Lengths: 170.1, 176.7, 181.4, 186.2
Radius: 21m @ 181.4
Dimensions: 136-110-126
Weight per pair: 3600g
TO READ MORE ABOUT THE FEROX FREEBIRD AND ALL THE OTHER NEW SKIS FOR 2020, SUBSCRIBE TO OUR GEAR GUIDE, OUT IN OCTOBER!
