Black Crows Anima Freebird

Stability If bigger lines are what you seek, then the 115mm-underfoot Black Crows Anima Freebird is your ski. When we let out the throttle on them, we felt totally in control. “These planks loved steep powder runs in East Vail,” one tester says. They’re big and straight—but they do have some camber underfoot, so we could edge when conditions changed. “Powder, ice, and everything in-between were no problem for the Anima Freebirds,” says another tester. “And they’re burly enough to handle a good thrashing in the resort.” Tradeoff: All that stability comes at a severe weight penalty.

Float The wide, spooned tip and generous early rise in the tip and tail kept us on top of thigh-deep soft stuff, despite the extra ounces. The 115mm waist is wide enough for powder without being unwieldy on hardpack. 176 (140-115-125), 182 (142-115-126), 188 (143-115-128)