I purchased the 2023 model prior to the start of this ski season. I've got around 10 days on them so far. Skied exclusively on Blackcomb/Whistler. It's like these things were designed and built to be skied on these Canadians mountains. They are superb in the powdery steeps. The float is fantastic and the shape/camber allow you to turn with confidence and energy. They are also amazing in the chop. Skied these over the past couple of days in 2-foot powder and I couldn't find a single fault. Soft moguls, steeps, chopped up groomers. These things absolutely RIP on soft snow. If you are looking for a soft-snow big mountain ski, this one is hard to find any fault with. Bravo BC. Amazing product.
Curious if you had the opportunity to ski them in firm conditions? I had trouble getting them to bite on firm steep slopes. They washed out. I'm pretty good at setting an edge. Been sking new york and vermont for thirty years In terrible conditions.
@@carterfan80 I skied them on firm steeps at Whistler/Blackcomb just 10 days ago. They were lovely. I find they prefer a more neutral/slightly forward stance to get the best grip out of them. They do need to be turned over with the ankles more than others, from what I've seen. They have great energy transfer between turns once you find out their sweet spot.
@thomaspanos Good feedback. I think I needed to go one size longer. That was definitely part of the problem. I think i'm just used to much more narrow skis with tons of edge grip when i'm on firm conditions.. kastle mx, k2 disruption, kendo etc.... I know it's nowhere near a direct comparison. But that's what i'm used to. I didn't have confidence in them. But maybe I just needed more time on them.
Just bought Mirus Cor, loved your review helped sell it. I'm more of a wider skiier in the west, BC, but the Mirus Cor is for those boring thaw days or lack of soft snow. Love the ski, supper fun and supper fun in the park.
Mirus Cor is so awesome! I (Jeff) have been skiing it a bunch in the past 3-4 weeks and we're going to put together a longer video like this one on them soon. Such a unique tool and so much you can do on it.
Sorry for all my comments, but I’m curious to ask what you meant by that? Would you say that pros make this sort of combo look easier than it really is? Just asking because I’ve been watching Nikolai’s channel and thinking about putting a tech binding on the arris too
@@oscarpreuss2347 its 100% fine for a touring ski. "Kinda burly" translates to heavier than other touring specific skis in its class. That said it would be a sick ski with some ATK bindings or G3 Ions.
@@oscarpreuss2347 just as a general tip, i wouldn't base your choices off what pro skiers do. Never mind pushing a sponsorship, they are obviously incredible skiers that could ski a plank of wood, for us hobby skiers we need to make different choices.
What is your style of skiing? just curious because I want to mount in the same spot. I'm coming from a park background, and as I get older I find myself skiing switch a little less every year. but still love the feel of a balanced ski.
Bought these from you guys based on recommendations from your Black Friday livestream to complement my Deacon 84s. Man, they are fun. I have a blast on these out west. Thank you!
Hahaha, I hear ya. Trust your gut! If you skied it in the 105 width and loved it, try not to think about the difference in width! I succumb to similar emotions, but usually best to try to push those aside.
Great review as always. I used to be a big Atris guy but with the previous version I felt I wasn't getting enough ski on groomers and not enough float on deep pow days, so I switched for a Justis/Anima combo which I love, but will definitely look to try those.
Hard to argue against the Justis/Anima combo, both sweet skis, but I do like how Black Crows addressed what people thought could be better about the Atris. Definitely a step up in responsiveness on groomers.
Love my Atris! I'm running a Dynafit Rotation mounted +1 just on mine and it's really good. However, with more money and if it was my one ski quiver, I would have gone for the Pivot+Cast free touring set up - especially if spending most of the time on the resort.
Just picked up a pair of these to pair with my Armada Declivity 92s. Couldn’t pass down the price point. Wanted a pair with a shift binding for any touring I can get into and really just a set up for the heavier days in the mountain when the conditions warrant their use.
I'm in the process of purchasing a new pair of skis to be my one ski quiver for trips out west and right now I've got it narrowed down to Atris, QST 106 and M-Free 108. I would love to know what Jeff's choice would be since I'm pretty much the same size and think I have similar ski tendencies. Thanks for the review once again!!
What is your skiing like? I actually tested those three skis a month ago and walked away with the atris. It was a close choice between atris and qst. The mfree were super fun off piste but were too loose for me on groomers. In terms of looseness I would say mfree-qst-atris from most to least. That's not to say atris are difficult to turn though. I was actually looking for something very maneuverable but can hold well on groomers if needed and atris ended up being my choice. Hope that helps.
Buy the atris. I have the 108 atris and 106 qst and much prefer the atris. The qst is considerably better on groomers. However, the atris is just so much fun, plus they lowered the waist width anyway.
Seems like you got some great advice here, John! Sorry I didn't get back to you more quickly. All 3 of those are so fun, although I'd probably go either Atris or QST for more versatility. Never know what you'll encounter on a trip. As fencejack points out, the M-Free gets a little loose in some situations. So, for me personally, since you asked what I would choose, I'd have a really hard time deciding between Atris and QST. Sometimes I feel like QST matches my skiing style better as it's a touch easier to flick out the tail, but I also appreciate the strength in the tail of the Atris. It's a toss up for sure! Regardless of which you choose, I'm sure you'll be quite pleased.
I need to spend a little more time on the Rustler 10, to be honest, but they're definitely in the same league. Both are strong skis with a good amount of maneuverability and playfulness. I think Rustlers feel more surfy in general. Looser tail. I'm looking forward to testing the new Rustler 10 more. I've skied the 9 a lot more than the 10 at this point.
Disagree. I hate any sort of white skis as I think that's highly impractical if you lose a ski in deep snow. glad they changed the top sheet. I have the 2016 version (108 with 18 m turn radius) and still think that's the best graphic with the 3D chevrons.
I actually tested the 106 and atris back to back. I ended up buying the atris. It was very close though. The 106 felt a bit more damp but the atris felt a bit more fun and energetic. Atris is easy to turn but I think the 106 was just a bit looser, which I think is why the atris felt better for me on groomers. I believe the atris has a longer turning radius as well which allows for a bit longer turns which I enjoy more on groomers. Honestly though, you could go either way and be super happy. I kept changing my mind between the two but had to pull the trigger on one.
Demoed at ppwder mountain. Great float. Tip comes to the top in deep snow. It made turns through some tight ish trees readily. It didn't necessarily feel like a twin tip when i skied it. The tail was fairly stable. Im 160 lbs and i did not find it heavyvat all. But im likely physically stronger than average 160 lb person. Size up imo. As a directional skier I found myself over the tips too often. Good soft snow ski. Probably not much place for it on the east coast. (Imo as a lifelong east coast skier) unless you are looking for youur 4th or 5th pair of skis as a specialist ....
Thank you! I was just watching your shorter 2023 video on the Atris when you all published this! How do you think it compares to the Nordica Unleashed 108?
That ski definitely came up in conversation. The Unleashed is more at home in a turn while the Atris is happier running straighter and looser. Even though it's a bit wider, the Unleashed 108 is a better carver and is more precise due to the metal laminate and the longer camber profile.
I’m very indecisive right now. I have a pair of enforcer 100s 193. Love them on groomers but, find myself completely drained getting them through trees and bumps. Im 6’2 240(athletic) advanced/expert skiier that likes to go fast. Deciding between 104 free and the new atris. I’m liking the idea of a more floaty poppy ski that can also rip groomers. I understand, from your reviews, that the 104 free is better on groomers but, is it significantly better?
I think it's pretty significantly better. The two sheets of metal combine really well with the shape to make it a very round and clean turner. The Atris is fine, but I wouldn't say that groomer performance is a strength at all.
Recently bought the 2023 Atris and your review is bang on how I felt about the skis and for how I plan to use them. I plan to use these as my every day west coast ski and when it snows a bit more on the east coast. What would be a good compliment wider ski for those slightly deeper days out west? I tested the QST Blank and thought they were great but wasn't sure if I could expect that much better deep snow performance with only being 7mm wider?
QST Blank might be a little too close in width, I agree. Sometimes I like the idea of sticking within one brand once you've found a ski you really like. For instance, the Nocta would be an excellent complement to the Atris for super deep days. You can imagine the conversations that happened around making sure those skis can coexist within Black Crows organization, and I always think that translates nicely to real world application too. I'd at least go to 115 mm underfoot just to get some separation from the Atris. Hope that helps!
@SkiEssentials thanks for the response. I came across a killer deal on a pair of Icelantic Nomad 115... any thoughts on how they'll feel? I really enjoy the atris and would like something more deep snow focus but a bit more slashy and smeary. Something with a tad more heft to handle chopped conditions too. If you think the nocta fits that bill then so be it. Also, any reco for binding with it? Thanks!
Have you skied the older version atris back to back on powder with the new version? I have the 2020 atris with a shift, which is my main daily driver for skiing Rockies and Purcells in the Canadian west. I also have the Animas for deep resort days. I love the ski for its surfiness and looseness, predictability on steeps and great powder float for its width, with a high top end speed on powder... I demoed the new version 2022 on a firm day. There is quite a difference in profile. Less tip/tail rocker and more camber. Thus as expected, skiis better on piste, faster edge to edge on hard pack. But I would expect the float and looseness on powder to be compromised... My impression is that BC wanted a ski with broader market applicability, ie skiing more on piste vs a ski meant more for powder and steeps... But maybe this isn't the case? Have you done any back to back testing?
Not true back to back, but definitely year to year. I think they wanted to create a bit more difference between Anima and Atris, hence making it narrower and more on-piste oriented. If you're looking for a floatier Atris, if you can find the older version, I'd go that route, but I like what they've done with the profile from an all-mountain perspective.
Atris is considerably better in soft snow, and feels stronger out of the tail too, which might be counter intuitive in how one thinks about ski performance. Camox is quicker edge to edge and I'd say a superior carving ski, despite it not being quite as strong. Camox is also more freestyle-capable, especially in a groomed terrain park, not necessarily a BC jump or something like that.
Hi, first of all great review. I'm thinking about buying this ski as my first powder ski that I will mostly use in the resort but also want to do occasional touring on (like 80/20 or 70/30 percent ish). What bindings would you recommend for saving weight (as the skis are already on the heavier side for touring) without losing the ability to charge hard when going down the hill? I'm an intermediate to advanced skier, pretty tall and not very heavy. Currently thinking about Shift, Cast and Dynafit Rotation, or maybe there are better options? Thanks in advance for the advice!
The Shift is the easy answer here because it does it all. If you have a specific need to reduce weight, then something like the Rotation could be brought in to the conversation, but the Shift basically does everything.
Would the Atris be a good hard charger on bigger softer/variable snow lines (1-2 feet of snow)? or would the Anima be worth the big size upgrade? Already ski on Serpo's so really just looking for a wider ski that would be good for charging bigger lines? Thanks
Yes, that's right in the Atris's wheelhouse. There's a good amount of stability and power and will make a great soft snow ski. It's incredibly playful and floaty and offers a totally different feel from the Serpo.
Hi Chaps, great informative video, what are your thoughts on this vs the Declivity 102, or even the Sakana or a blade optic? I'm 185cm and 96kg. This would be my single quiver ski, and I want something that is good in the trees and the deep stuff primarily as that's what I enjoy most, but want something I can have a fun day on the groomers when the conditions aren't as good.
The Atris is the most playful and soft-snow oriented of the group. It's a great ski, but may leave something to be desired on groomers. The Blade Optic (104 I'm assuming) is pretty heavy and chargey--not the easiest or most forgiving. I love the Declivity and love the Sakana, but they're very different skis. Sakana does some interesting things very, very well, but it's not for everyone. The Declivity is the safer bet here--great both on and off trail with enough width for flotation but a ripping groomer ski.
Hi guys, I'm looking at getting a one ski do it all and am tossing it up between this (2023 version) and the Line blade optic 104. Any thoughts between the two skis would be great thanks!
The Atris is more consistent from tip to tail while the Blade Optic is more flexible and floaty in the ends of the ski. I'd say that the Line is more stout underfoot and the metal does make it a very smooth ski, it's just not as predictable from a playfulness perspective as the Atris. I think to do it all, the Atris makes a bit more sense, but these are both very strong options.
The 110 is more flexible and freestyle-oriented. The Atris is more business-like and can carve a pretty clean turn when asked. The Bent 110 I would not say the same about.
Looking for the best mix of a playful ski that is good in chop/crud, stable yet has a loose back end. Needs to be able to handle variable snow including firmer days here and there. Out of Atris, Qst 106, Blade Optic 104 or something else what is my best bet?
You're in the right zone for sure--any of these skis meet your needs. I'd say the metal of the Line sets it apart from the others, and delivers a very stable and powerful platform while keeping the tips and tails nice and playful for softer snow.
The softer the better. I have had a good time on packed powder groomers, but anything firmer than that and I'd rather be on something else. That said, in the 190 on some soft corduroy, they're a blast!
We've got a deal on the 2023's with bindings if you're interested! www.skiessentials.com/2023-black-crows-atris-skis-w-marker-griffon-13-id-bindings.html
did they have that on the 2023 color? I would specifically search those out if it doesn't, plus you can probably get a better discount anyway for the exact same ski
The Mantra 102 is the freight train of the group here. No flinching at speed, but heavy and not too floaty. Blank still has some heft to it, but it feels a lot more nimble in the softer snow and tighter spaces. The Atris falls somewhere in the middle--great in soft snow but smooth and fast when pointed down the fall line. The Pivot 95 will be a stretch to fit the Atris in the 184. I have a pair on a 105 and it doesn't fit great. I had to do some trimming of the brake plastic as well as some bending of the arms. Conversely, I don't love the fit of the 115. For 2025, we're going to see a Pivot with a 105 brake, so maybe hold off on that purchase for now?
Atris is more flexible than the 102 FR, especially in the shovel. The carbon nose in that ski was very responsive while the Atris is a lot more drifty, surfy, and smeary. In soft snow only, I'd ski the Atris, but all other aspects, I really enjoyed that FR.
Hey quick question, I’m looking to get freeride skis this season, I’m 5 “6” and 120lbs, do you think that the 2024 Atris or the faction agent 3 would be a better choice for me?( I live in Utah so I’m mostly skiing soft snow)
The Atris is a bit smoother since the Agent employs more camber to the profile. This gives Agent more energy, but it's not quite as floaty/drifty as the Atris. Kind of depends what characteristic you prefer more--both will stand up very well to Utah soft snow conditions.
The Line is a stiffer ski thanks to the metal laminate, but they do share a lot of similar properties as far as shape and profile--the Line is more gradual in profile, so will feel a bit smoother in a carved turn on firmer snow.
My first impression is that the white ski sold like sh*t. Looking at the marginal spec difference, I'd buy the black/yellow after passing on the silly white model. OK, it's kind of petty, but when ''I'' see little/no difference, looks matter when there are a lot of options out there.
I purchased the 2023 model prior to the start of this ski season. I've got around 10 days on them so far. Skied exclusively on Blackcomb/Whistler. It's like these things were designed and built to be skied on these Canadians mountains. They are superb in the powdery steeps. The float is fantastic and the shape/camber allow you to turn with confidence and energy. They are also amazing in the chop. Skied these over the past couple of days in 2-foot powder and I couldn't find a single fault. Soft moguls, steeps, chopped up groomers. These things absolutely RIP on soft snow. If you are looking for a soft-snow big mountain ski, this one is hard to find any fault with. Bravo BC. Amazing product.
Pretty sure it’s made to be skied in the alps…..
alps have less snow@@sandercronberg4155
Curious if you had the opportunity to ski them in firm conditions? I had trouble getting them to bite on firm steep slopes. They washed out. I'm pretty good at setting an edge. Been sking new york and vermont for thirty years In terrible conditions.
@@carterfan80 I skied them on firm steeps at Whistler/Blackcomb just 10 days ago. They were lovely. I find they prefer a more neutral/slightly forward stance to get the best grip out of them. They do need to be turned over with the ankles more than others, from what I've seen. They have great energy transfer between turns once you find out their sweet spot.
@thomaspanos Good feedback. I think I needed to go one size longer. That was definitely part of the problem. I think i'm just used to much more narrow skis with tons of edge grip when i'm on firm conditions.. kastle mx, k2 disruption, kendo etc.... I know it's nowhere near a direct comparison. But that's what i'm used to. I didn't have confidence in them. But maybe I just needed more time on them.
Just bought Mirus Cor, loved your review helped sell it. I'm more of a wider skiier in the west, BC, but the Mirus Cor is for those boring thaw days or lack of soft snow. Love the ski, supper fun and supper fun in the park.
how is it on ice and in trees?
I went for the Captis for resort and hard pack days, but the Mirus Cor looks like an awesome resort ski!
Mirus Cor is so awesome! I (Jeff) have been skiing it a bunch in the past 3-4 weeks and we're going to put together a longer video like this one on them soon. Such a unique tool and so much you can do on it.
It seems to do really well with a tech binding for Nikolai Schirmer, but I’m sure he can tour any ski 😂 love the review guys!!
I always get a kick out of pros mounting tech bindings on kinda burly skis and thinking about the public perception. "Well he can do it!"
Sorry for all my comments, but I’m curious to ask what you meant by that? Would you say that pros make this sort of combo look easier than it really is? Just asking because I’ve been watching Nikolai’s channel and thinking about putting a tech binding on the arris too
@@oscarpreuss2347 All i'd recommend is testing out before doing it, heavy skis with some light bindings is asking for a higher difficulty of use
@@oscarpreuss2347 its 100% fine for a touring ski. "Kinda burly" translates to heavier than other touring specific skis in its class. That said it would be a sick ski with some ATK bindings or G3 Ions.
@@oscarpreuss2347 just as a general tip, i wouldn't base your choices off what pro skiers do. Never mind pushing a sponsorship, they are obviously incredible skiers that could ski a plank of wood, for us hobby skiers we need to make different choices.
Best skis I have ever skied on out here at Whistler
Boy if someone said I had to ski an Atris in Whistler for an entire season, I would... thank them repeatedly.
I went +2cm on mine and feel like I hit the jackpot. Love the Atris.
Feel like that's a great spot if you want a slightly more balanced feel, but don't want to give up directional performance.
What is your style of skiing? just curious because I want to mount in the same spot. I'm coming from a park background, and as I get older I find myself skiing switch a little less every year. but still love the feel of a balanced ski.
Bought these from you guys based on recommendations from your Black Friday livestream to complement my Deacon 84s. Man, they are fun. I have a blast on these out west. Thank you!
Awesome! Love to hear a success story like that. Have a great rest of your season!
108s are my favorite skis of all time when the conditions call for it...I hate how much more I like the ski in a 105 when I demoed them this year
Hahaha, I hear ya. Trust your gut! If you skied it in the 105 width and loved it, try not to think about the difference in width! I succumb to similar emotions, but usually best to try to push those aside.
Great review as always. I used to be a big Atris guy but with the previous version I felt I wasn't getting enough ski on groomers and not enough float on deep pow days, so I switched for a Justis/Anima combo which I love, but will definitely look to try those.
Hard to argue against the Justis/Anima combo, both sweet skis, but I do like how Black Crows addressed what people thought could be better about the Atris. Definitely a step up in responsiveness on groomers.
I love these skis. Had the 108s, now I’m using 2023 with the cast system, so much fun. Daily driver at Smuggs.
Great setup! Thanks for sharing!
Absolutely excellent review. Fantastic! You guys are amazing!
Thank you!
I demoed these one day this winter and thought they were just ok. Felt kind of dead underfoot and not easy to get edge to edge to me.
Most helpful guys, thx for the comprehensive review.
Our pleasure!
Love my Atris! I'm running a Dynafit Rotation mounted +1 just on mine and it's really good. However, with more money and if it was my one ski quiver, I would have gone for the Pivot+Cast free touring set up - especially if spending most of the time on the resort.
Atris + Cast would be pretty incredible.
As I'm watching more and more gear videos, Atris and Cast does indeed seem like the perfect one ski quiver combination for back front and side country
Enjoy the snow that’s coming guys. I will certainly be making the most of it after the first bit is finished rolling through.
Thanks! Sorry for the delay getting back to you, but so nice having some fresh snow around here now!
Just picked up a pair of these to pair with my Armada Declivity 92s. Couldn’t pass down the price point. Wanted a pair with a shift binding for any touring I can get into and really just a set up for the heavier days in the mountain when the conditions warrant their use.
Awesome setup! Have a blast!
2023, and I didn’t think Black Crows could make a worse graphic. 2024, hold my beer.
at least it's not white :)
Some of the 2024 graphics are excellent. I can certainly understand this one being a bit polarizing.
I'm in the process of purchasing a new pair of skis to be my one ski quiver for trips out west and right now I've got it narrowed down to Atris, QST 106 and M-Free 108. I would love to know what Jeff's choice would be since I'm pretty much the same size and think I have similar ski tendencies. Thanks for the review once again!!
What is your skiing like? I actually tested those three skis a month ago and walked away with the atris. It was a close choice between atris and qst. The mfree were super fun off piste but were too loose for me on groomers. In terms of looseness I would say mfree-qst-atris from most to least. That's not to say atris are difficult to turn though. I was actually looking for something very maneuverable but can hold well on groomers if needed and atris ended up being my choice. Hope that helps.
Buy the atris. I have the 108 atris and 106 qst and much prefer the atris. The qst is considerably better on groomers. However, the atris is just so much fun, plus they lowered the waist width anyway.
@@anguslomas8220 Thanks for the advice.
Seems like you got some great advice here, John! Sorry I didn't get back to you more quickly. All 3 of those are so fun, although I'd probably go either Atris or QST for more versatility. Never know what you'll encounter on a trip. As fencejack points out, the M-Free gets a little loose in some situations.
So, for me personally, since you asked what I would choose, I'd have a really hard time deciding between Atris and QST. Sometimes I feel like QST matches my skiing style better as it's a touch easier to flick out the tail, but I also appreciate the strength in the tail of the Atris. It's a toss up for sure! Regardless of which you choose, I'm sure you'll be quite pleased.
Nice review
Thanks!
The 108 version is my favourite it's a proper powder ski. Disappointed they dropped it. 105 to the next ski at 116 is a big gap.
I can certainly understand that. It is a fairly big gap in widths between Atris and Anima now.
have you skied the 105 yet? seems like the vast majority of people actually like it more
I'll be interested on your thoughts of the comparison between these and the new 2024 Blizzard Rustler 10, thanks
I need to spend a little more time on the Rustler 10, to be honest, but they're definitely in the same league. Both are strong skis with a good amount of maneuverability and playfulness. I think Rustlers feel more surfy in general. Looser tail. I'm looking forward to testing the new Rustler 10 more. I've skied the 9 a lot more than the 10 at this point.
wow that topsheet design is a downgrade from last yr 😕
oh yeah, terrible.
Disagree. I hate any sort of white skis as I think that's highly impractical if you lose a ski in deep snow. glad they changed the top sheet. I have the 2016 version (108 with 18 m turn radius) and still think that's the best graphic with the 3D chevrons.
Agree. What the fuck did they do with it
Hot topic here! I prefer last year's white--very clean looking!
2022 Atris is by far the best looking ski. Glad I have a pair!!
my guess is those have a similar feel to the QST 106s and my DPS F100s
I actually tested the 106 and atris back to back. I ended up buying the atris. It was very close though. The 106 felt a bit more damp but the atris felt a bit more fun and energetic. Atris is easy to turn but I think the 106 was just a bit looser, which I think is why the atris felt better for me on groomers. I believe the atris has a longer turning radius as well which allows for a bit longer turns which I enjoy more on groomers. Honestly though, you could go either way and be super happy. I kept changing my mind between the two but had to pull the trigger on one.
Demoed at ppwder mountain. Great float. Tip comes to the top in deep snow. It made turns through some tight ish trees readily.
It didn't necessarily feel like a twin tip when i skied it. The tail was fairly stable.
Im 160 lbs and i did not find it heavyvat all. But im likely physically stronger than average 160 lb person.
Size up imo. As a directional skier I found myself over the tips too often. Good soft snow ski. Probably not much place for it on the east coast. (Imo as a lifelong east coast skier) unless you are looking for youur 4th or 5th pair of skis as a specialist ....
I'm not sizing up on very many skis these days as I age and slow. Atris is still a 190 for me.
@SkiEssentials Yeah. I felt like I could have gone to a hundred and eighty cm ish. I'm only 5'5"
Thank you! I was just watching your shorter 2023 video on the Atris when you all published this!
How do you think it compares to the Nordica Unleashed 108?
That ski definitely came up in conversation. The Unleashed is more at home in a turn while the Atris is happier running straighter and looser. Even though it's a bit wider, the Unleashed 108 is a better carver and is more precise due to the metal laminate and the longer camber profile.
I’m very indecisive right now. I have a pair of enforcer 100s 193. Love them on groomers but, find myself completely drained getting them through trees and bumps. Im 6’2 240(athletic) advanced/expert skiier that likes to go fast. Deciding between 104 free and the new atris. I’m liking the idea of a more floaty poppy ski that can also rip groomers. I understand, from your reviews, that the 104 free is better on groomers but, is it significantly better?
I think it's pretty significantly better. The two sheets of metal combine really well with the shape to make it a very round and clean turner. The Atris is fine, but I wouldn't say that groomer performance is a strength at all.
Recently bought the 2023 Atris and your review is bang on how I felt about the skis and for how I plan to use them. I plan to use these as my every day west coast ski and when it snows a bit more on the east coast. What would be a good compliment wider ski for those slightly deeper days out west? I tested the QST Blank and thought they were great but wasn't sure if I could expect that much better deep snow performance with only being 7mm wider?
QST Blank might be a little too close in width, I agree. Sometimes I like the idea of sticking within one brand once you've found a ski you really like. For instance, the Nocta would be an excellent complement to the Atris for super deep days. You can imagine the conversations that happened around making sure those skis can coexist within Black Crows organization, and I always think that translates nicely to real world application too. I'd at least go to 115 mm underfoot just to get some separation from the Atris. Hope that helps!
@SkiEssentials thanks for the response. I came across a killer deal on a pair of Icelantic Nomad 115... any thoughts on how they'll feel? I really enjoy the atris and would like something more deep snow focus but a bit more slashy and smeary. Something with a tad more heft to handle chopped conditions too. If you think the nocta fits that bill then so be it. Also, any reco for binding with it? Thanks!
Have you skied the older version atris back to back on powder with the new version? I have the 2020 atris with a shift, which is my main daily driver for skiing Rockies and Purcells in the Canadian west. I also have the Animas for deep resort days. I love the ski for its surfiness and looseness, predictability on steeps and great powder float for its width, with a high top end speed on powder... I demoed the new version 2022 on a firm day. There is quite a difference in profile. Less tip/tail rocker and more camber. Thus as expected, skiis better on piste, faster edge to edge on hard pack. But I would expect the float and looseness on powder to be compromised... My impression is that BC wanted a ski with broader market applicability, ie skiing more on piste vs a ski meant more for powder and steeps... But maybe this isn't the case? Have you done any back to back testing?
Not true back to back, but definitely year to year. I think they wanted to create a bit more difference between Anima and Atris, hence making it narrower and more on-piste oriented. If you're looking for a floatier Atris, if you can find the older version, I'd go that route, but I like what they've done with the profile from an all-mountain perspective.
100 percent!🙂
I would love to know which skii is better and in which area... Im comparing atris and camox from Black crows, thank you for the reply
Atris is considerably better in soft snow, and feels stronger out of the tail too, which might be counter intuitive in how one thinks about ski performance. Camox is quicker edge to edge and I'd say a superior carving ski, despite it not being quite as strong. Camox is also more freestyle-capable, especially in a groomed terrain park, not necessarily a BC jump or something like that.
Test the faction dancer 4 please
Hi, first of all great review.
I'm thinking about buying this ski as my first powder ski that I will mostly use in the resort but also want to do occasional touring on (like 80/20 or 70/30 percent ish). What bindings would you recommend for saving weight (as the skis are already on the heavier side for touring) without losing the ability to charge hard when going down the hill? I'm an intermediate to advanced skier, pretty tall and not very heavy. Currently thinking about Shift, Cast and Dynafit Rotation, or maybe there are better options?
Thanks in advance for the advice!
The Shift is the easy answer here because it does it all. If you have a specific need to reduce weight, then something like the Rotation could be brought in to the conversation, but the Shift basically does everything.
Would the Atris be a good hard charger on bigger softer/variable snow lines (1-2 feet of snow)? or would the Anima be worth the big size upgrade? Already ski on Serpo's so really just looking for a wider ski that would be good for charging bigger lines? Thanks
Yes, that's right in the Atris's wheelhouse. There's a good amount of stability and power and will make a great soft snow ski. It's incredibly playful and floaty and offers a totally different feel from the Serpo.
Hi Chaps, great informative video, what are your thoughts on this vs the Declivity 102, or even the Sakana or a blade optic? I'm 185cm and 96kg. This would be my single quiver ski, and I want something that is good in the trees and the deep stuff primarily as that's what I enjoy most, but want something I can have a fun day on the groomers when the conditions aren't as good.
The Atris is the most playful and soft-snow oriented of the group. It's a great ski, but may leave something to be desired on groomers. The Blade Optic (104 I'm assuming) is pretty heavy and chargey--not the easiest or most forgiving. I love the Declivity and love the Sakana, but they're very different skis. Sakana does some interesting things very, very well, but it's not for everyone. The Declivity is the safer bet here--great both on and off trail with enough width for flotation but a ripping groomer ski.
Hi guys, I'm looking at getting a one ski do it all and am tossing it up between this (2023 version) and the Line blade optic 104. Any thoughts between the two skis would be great thanks!
The Atris is more consistent from tip to tail while the Blade Optic is more flexible and floaty in the ends of the ski. I'd say that the Line is more stout underfoot and the metal does make it a very smooth ski, it's just not as predictable from a playfulness perspective as the Atris. I think to do it all, the Atris makes a bit more sense, but these are both very strong options.
How do these compare to bent 110?
Bent is super soft and way surfier. Atris is much more of a charger and more directional.
bent soft snow, powder days, atris all round , great one quiver piece without metal
The 110 is more flexible and freestyle-oriented. The Atris is more business-like and can carve a pretty clean turn when asked. The Bent 110 I would not say the same about.
Looking for the best mix of a playful ski that is good in chop/crud, stable yet has a loose back end. Needs to be able to handle variable snow including firmer days here and there. Out of Atris, Qst 106, Blade Optic 104 or something else what is my best bet?
You're in the right zone for sure--any of these skis meet your needs. I'd say the metal of the Line sets it apart from the others, and delivers a very stable and powerful platform while keeping the tips and tails nice and playful for softer snow.
I wonder how much it cost to put a little "statement" on the side wall...
My guess would be something like $0.40 per ski, but good question!
I wonder how much it will cost to erase it, lol
What jacket is Jeff wearing at the start? Looks great.
In the intro, he's got a Strafe Sickbird one-piece suit. He was skeptical at first about the one piece, but has grown to enjoy it.
Great review. How are they on groomers?
The softer the better. I have had a good time on packed powder groomers, but anything firmer than that and I'd rather be on something else. That said, in the 190 on some soft corduroy, they're a blast!
not quite a fan of the new look. Actually makes it look thicker in the middle though
We've got a deal on the 2023's with bindings if you're interested!
www.skiessentials.com/2023-black-crows-atris-skis-w-marker-griffon-13-id-bindings.html
what’s a good ski that’s directional for trees in deep snow?
Head kore series 111 or 117. Love kore 105. Just Go a bit wider than me
Having "welcome to the metaverse" on the sidewall is a deal breaker for me
Haha, it’s a joke dude! Have you seen their other sidewall one-liners?? Google it and have a laugh 🤣
Hard it’s gay
did they have that on the 2023 color? I would specifically search those out if it doesn't, plus you can probably get a better discount anyway for the exact same ski
@@proverbalizer The 2023 says "there is no more toilet paper" iirc
Does Bob have Kastle boots? I love mine!
K130P! Love them! The best skiing boot I've ever had.
@@SkiEssentials I’ve got the 120s. The liners are top notch.
how do these compare to saloman qst blanks skis?
Couple questions: compared to a Salomon blank or mantra 102? And would a 95b pivot fit on the 184?
The Mantra 102 is the freight train of the group here. No flinching at speed, but heavy and not too floaty. Blank still has some heft to it, but it feels a lot more nimble in the softer snow and tighter spaces. The Atris falls somewhere in the middle--great in soft snow but smooth and fast when pointed down the fall line. The Pivot 95 will be a stretch to fit the Atris in the 184. I have a pair on a 105 and it doesn't fit great. I had to do some trimming of the brake plastic as well as some bending of the arms. Conversely, I don't love the fit of the 115. For 2025, we're going to see a Pivot with a 105 brake, so maybe hold off on that purchase for now?
@@SkiEssentials awesome thanks!
How does the Atris stack up to and ski compared to the old Fischer Ranger 102 fr
Atris is more flexible than the 102 FR, especially in the shovel. The carbon nose in that ski was very responsive while the Atris is a lot more drifty, surfy, and smeary. In soft snow only, I'd ski the Atris, but all other aspects, I really enjoyed that FR.
Hey quick question, I’m looking to get freeride skis this season, I’m 5 “6” and 120lbs, do you think that the 2024 Atris or the faction agent 3 would be a better choice for me?( I live in Utah so I’m mostly skiing soft snow)
The Atris is a bit smoother since the Agent employs more camber to the profile. This gives Agent more energy, but it's not quite as floaty/drifty as the Atris. Kind of depends what characteristic you prefer more--both will stand up very well to Utah soft snow conditions.
How do these compare to the line blade optic 104?
The Line is a stiffer ski thanks to the metal laminate, but they do share a lot of similar properties as far as shape and profile--the Line is more gradual in profile, so will feel a bit smoother in a carved turn on firmer snow.
My first impression is that the white ski sold like sh*t. Looking at the marginal spec difference, I'd buy the black/yellow after passing on the silly white model. OK, it's kind of petty, but when ''I'' see little/no difference, looks matter when there are a lot of options out there.
I agree, looks matter, even if it's somewhat superficial.
Wait - Jeff actually skis? I thought he is more focused on rollerblading and complaining about parking these days...
I don't even know how to respond to that! Ski almost every day, almost never complain about parking. ***Insert confused and laughing emoji***
how are these in tight trees with deep snow
can do it , but no chance with bent 110 or line 108v or dynafit 108 m- free
@@adamjagieo347 what do you mean no chance like are the bent 110s really good or really bad?
As I said in my other reply, they're great in trees and deeper snow, you just need to have reasonably good technique.
Oh boy is this great !⛷❄️