Black Crows

Black Crows was born in Chamonix with the simple idea that became their motto: the “Pursuit of pleasure.” The independent French ski brand is beloved by serious skiers throughout the world for its high-quality products and above all, for its playful energy. Known for their striking designs and fun, innovative skis, Black Crows offers models for piste, all-terrain, freeride, and alpine touring. At Oberson, we offer a wide range of Black Crows skis and poles, both in our stores and online.

History

Black Crows was founded by two professional skiers, Camille Jaccoux and Bruno Compagnet, in Chamonix in 2006. They wanted to create what they couldn’t find on the market: wide, burly skis that could rip down challenging terrain in any snow conditions while staying nimble and responsive. Their first model helped reshape the modern powder ski, and their playful designs quickly gained a cult following. Today, Black Crows has expanded its offering to piste skis, all-mountain skis, women’s skis, and kids’ skis, while remaining rooted in freeride culture. That unmistakable Black Crows magic? Bright topsheets and bases, bold ideas, and high-end skis made for the sheer bliss of the descent.

Aesthetic

Black Crows are instantly recognizable thanks to eye-catching colours and geometric patterns. Their visual language is clean and expressive, yet not without a touch of whimsy in the offbeat slogans printed on the sidewalls (“I’m not scared,” “I don’t remember it being this far,” “Tu veux ou tu ne veux pas,” “You said you’d call,” “Still on mute,” etc.). There’s something cool but slightly off-kilter about the brand; it’s for serious skiers who don’t take themselves too seriously. Their apparel, by contrast, tends to be understated, with refined cuts and solid tones that reflect a more urban-alpine aesthetic.

Ambassadors

As hardcore athletes with a dash of irreverence, the Black Crows ambassadors reflect the brand’s ethos. They’re some of the sport’s most prominent athletes. Skiers like Nikolai Schirmer, Jim Morrison, Mattias Giraud, and Canadians, such as Christina Lustenberger and Celeste Pomeranz embark on big projects in a spirit of fun. You’ll spot Black Crows skis in some of the most compelling ski movies: ski base jumping from Mont Blanc’s summit, ski mountaineering the highest peaks in the Himalaya, first descents off the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, everyday shredding in Norway’s Lyngen Alps, just to name a few.

Culture

Beyond ski design, Black Crows has built a distinct identity by drawing from and fostering ski culture, music, and mountain life. Their commitment shows up in everything from the Chamonix Unlimited Festival to ski sauvage demo events held across the Alps. The iconic chevron logo expresses this jovial spirit: a formation of V-shaped marks inspired by the alpine choughs (members of the crow family) that soar above 4,000 metres in the Alps and flock around spires and crags. Said to be reincarnated mountain guides, the bold, free, ever-moving birds evoke the joyful collective soul of skiing. It’s a vibe that clearly strikes a chord: the blend of authenticity, creativity, and performance has earned Black Crows devoted fans around the world.

 

Questions?

Eyeing your first pair of Black Crows? Looking to upgrade for deeper snow and steeper lines? Or maybe you’re after a model to carve groomers with an extra dose of panache? Our in-store team of experts can help you find the right model. Come talk skis with us at our locations in Laval or Brossard—or shop our wide selection of Black Crows gear online.