Black Crows Octo
By PTO Team, Based on official specs and professional review consensus · Spec analysis + review consensus (Pick-a-Ski, Ski Essentials, Ski Canada Mag) on this ski
The take
“A carving ski that feels alive. The swallowtail snaps you out of every turn like a rubber band.”
The Octo is Black Crows doing carving their way. Instead of titanal and race-stiff construction, they built a poplar/fiberglass carver with a swallowtail and a 14m radius. The result feels totally different from a Head Supershape or Stockli Laser -- lighter, livelier, with a distinctive snap at the end of each turn from the swallowtail releasing the tail early.
On well-groomed corduroy, the Octo is addictive. The 84mm waist makes edge-to-edge transitions razor-quick, and the 14m radius means short, rhythmic arcs happen almost by themselves. Push it into long GS-style arcs at high speed and you find its ceiling -- no metal, no damping.
The swallowtail reduces effective edge at the tail, so the ski releases from turns faster. Some skiers love this energy. Others find it too abrupt. Test it before you commit if you can.
Carryover from 24/25 to 25/26 -- identical construction, new graphics only.
Bindings we'd pair with it
Mount point: Flat mount. Our pick: Marker Griffon 13 ID.
- Marker Griffon 13 IDAll-mountain carving
Most popular pairing for frontside skis. Mid-DIN, reliable.
- Look SPX 13 GWPerformance carving
Full-metal construction, solid power transfer.
- Tyrolia Attack 14 GWAggressive carving / value
Lightest option in DIN 14 range. GripWalk compatible.
Pick a binding whose range covers your release setting. That setting is a technician's calculation from your weight, height, age, boot sole length and skier type — not a number to read off a page.
