1 / 7Black Crows Orb Freebird Skis 2026
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PTO Verdict
“Big-ski energy in a lightweight touring package. Punches above its weight on the descent.”
Best for: Backcountry tourers who prioritize uphill efficiency but want genuine performance on the descent.
Not for: Resort skiers, deep powder chasers, or aggressive downhill-focused tourers.
At a Glance
Terrain
Ability Level
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Compatible Ski Bindings
Browse our recommended binding brands for this ski.
Description
The Orb Freebird is Black Crows' lightweight, narrow touring ski — 90mm underfoot, built to climb efficiently and still ski with real backbone on the way down. A paulownia core with carbon keeps the weight low for long skins, and a titanal plate in the binding area mainly improves screw retention for hybrid touring bindings rather than turning it into a metal charger. With camber underfoot and a progressive tip rocker, it carves precisely and holds an edge on firm spring snow and steep faces better than its weight suggests.
It suits a backcountry skier who covers real distance and wants one light ski that still feels secure on hard, variable descents — ski mountaineering, spring couloirs, long traverses. At 90mm it's a lean tourer, not a powder float or a resort charger: for deep-snow touring go wider (the Navis or Draco Freebird). It rewards intermediate-to-advanced touring skills.
| Waist Width | 90mm |
|---|---|
| Core | Poplar / fiberglass |
| Construction | Semi-cap, ABS sidewalls, lightweight touring construction |
| Profile | Rocker / Camber / Rocker |
| Best For | Backcountry touring — lightweight uphill, confident downhill |
Specs
- Generation: 3rd-generation Orb Freebird (the 26/27 4th generation is built differently)
- Waist width: 90 mm
- Sidecut: 126 / 90 / 111 mm (at 173 cm)
- Weight: About 1400 g per ski (173 cm)
- Construction: Fiberglass and carbon laminate; titanal reinforcement underfoot for binding screw retention
- Lengths: 155.2 · 161.1 · 167.2 · 173.1 · 179.3 · 184.1 cm
- Source: Black Crows' description of this generation
Details
- Type
- SKI
- Vendor
- Black Crows
- UPC / GTIN
- 887445312673
173.1
Black Crows Orb Freebird
By PTO Team, Based on the manufacturer’s published specs
Spec analysis · Analysis dated
These 10-point scores express PTO's editorial assessment of suitability for each use. They are not customer ratings or instrumented measurements; the analysis below explains the trade-offs.
The take
“Big-ski energy in a lightweight touring package. Punches above its weight on the descent.”
The Orb Freebird is Black Crows' versatile touring ski -- 90mm underfoot with a lightweight paulownia/carbon core under 1,400g per ski at 173cm. The ski performs better on the way down than you would expect from that weight.
Titanal reinforcement under the binding area adds stability where it matters most. Carbon support gives the core backbone. Front rocker helps turn initiation and float, camber underfoot keeps the ski engaged on firm snow.
Six length options (155-184cm) is unusually generous for a touring ski. The 18m radius works for both short turns in tight terrain and longer arcs on open faces.
Not an inbounds ski -- lightweight construction gets pushed around in resort traffic. Compared to the Ova Freebird (wider, heavier), the Orb trades descent performance for uphill efficiency.
Unchanged for 25/26.
Bindings we'd pair with it
Mount point: Flat mount. Our pick: Marker Alpinist 12.
- Marker Alpinist 12Lightweight touring
Ultra-light tech binding that matches the weight-savings philosophy.
- Salomon/Atomic Shift 13Touring + safety
Alpine retention with touring capability. Heavier but safer.
- Fritschi Tecton 13Freeride touring
Tech toe with alpine heel. Good weight/performance balance.
Touring bindings recommended. Not designed for resort use.
