Black Crows Sato 2026/2027

Whether the Black Crows Sato is your ski depends on how you judge a ski, and the test cards show it. In an independent test of the 2027 ski, the overall scores on the tester cards ran from 6 to 9 out of 10, and the split followed the tester rather than the snow: a tester who scored it 9 called it one of the most intuitive skis he had been on, while a tester who scored it 6 wanted more snap and playfulness. If you rate a ski by how little it asks of you, read the high cards; if you rate it by the pop it gives back, read the low ones. The 26/27 Sato is an unchanged carryover of the 25/26 launch model, so tests from both seasons describe the same ski.

On groomed snow the Sato is happiest at moderate speed in medium and shorter turns, which suits a fixed 17 m sidecut. The 2027 test found it prefers softer snow but still grips on firm, and the same outlet's 2026 test found it smooth and stable at higher speeds on frozen groomers. A UK magazine review landed nearby from a different angle: a well-planted, secure ski that helps intermediates step up and lets advanced skiers ease off. Beside the trail the Sato is good in bumps and fun in trees, with one honest split between testers: one found it very playful in short turns, another less stable in sharp, quick mogul turns. Deep and tracked-out snow is where it fades.

The Sato's most useful comparison is the Serpo. The Serpo adds double titanal plates underfoot and a 20 m radius, and the test that covered both found the Sato lacks the Serpo's higher performance ceiling; if you ski hard on firm mornings, the Serpo is your ski. The Octo, at 84 mm with a 14 m radius, is the more precise groomer carver, and one magazine tester preferred it outright. The 2026 test said the Sato looks and feels like a non-twin version of the Captis, so take the Captis if a twin tip matters. The Camox, at 97 mm, is the call for skiers who spend more time off the piste than on it.

Sizing the Black Crows Sato is simple because the radius never changes: every length from 167.2 to 179.3 cm runs 17 m, so length decides stability and running length rather than turn shape. Most testers found it true to size, and one advised against sizing down. Weight climbs from 1,650 g per ski at 167.2 to 1,825 g at 179.3. Skiers who need something shorter than 167.2 cm should look at the Sato Birdie, the women's version, which runs 155.2 to 167.2 cm on the same published spec panel. The Sato is a flat ski, and we fit the binding to your boots.