Post sponsored by our publishing partner Cripple Creek Backcountry, quiz them about Camox.
Editor’s note: In the annoying fashion that’s all to common these days, Black Crows is retaining the “Camox Freebird” moniker for an entirely different ski (2018-2019 version) than that reviewed here (2017-2018). The new version appears to be nice, lighter weight, same color. It’s built with more carbon. Julia gave the original version high marks as an all-around touring ski. That doesn’t surprise me given the Black Crows reputation. Thus, I’d venture that either “model” is excellent, and perhaps the originals can be found deeply discounted.
Camox and me, Glacier Peak.
The temps are decreasing, it finally smells like fall. Though winter is still a few months away, I embrace denial by watching last year’s ski films on repeat, while dreaming about pow hitting me in the face.
Camox and me , Eldorado.
As a distraction from winter fantasy (or tease?), I’m here to tell you more about the Black Crows Camox Freebird. Since our first-look post, I’ve been skiing the Camox Freebird for one season. While a bit skinny for the PNW, it is now my favorite ski (I do have wider options available in the quiver). Bottom line: beginner or expert who straps a pair of these on their feet will have a killer time.
I have exclusively skied the Camox in the backcountry. We have adventured through the PNW on numerous trips. Our relationship began on the way to Camp Muir in October of last year, and we finished the season with a one day push on the Emmons Glacier on Mt Rainier during early July. Camox and I have traveled as far as Glacier Peak, bonding on our long walk in the woods and then skiing the Cool Glacier to explore nearby landscapes. We enjoyed an icy skin up to Pikers Peak on Mt Adams on a blustery day in late June, with a perfect corn harvest down Southwest Chutes. A solid affection was built over mushy potatoes on Bakers’ Squak Glacier, enhanced with tight turns during creek hopping through the woods. And how can I forget the long boot up the Cascadian on Mt Stuart, and the numerous skinning laps up Hyak and Summit West in rain, ice, slush, pow, you name it? We even caught a few sneaker pow days in the Snoqualmie and Crystal Backcountry, those surely were a treat. Anyways, you get the idea: Camox and I grew to like each other very much.
2018-2019 Black Crows Camox.
What I like about Camox Freebird:
What I don’t like:
Eldorado. Photo by Steph Peterson
I give Black Crows a big high five for their incredible product. The fit was about as perfect as Cinderella’s crystal slipper, if Disney characters were into skiing.
Specs for my setup:
Spring corn on Mount Stuart, photo by Nick Webb.
19 comments
I skied the 179 Navis Freebird in CA last season. Despite our abbreviated season I felt like I got them out in a variety of conditions and have a good feel for the ski. Mounted with Salomon MTN bindings. I liked them quite a bit. Versatile ski that does it all pretty well and handles poor snow nicely, which I consider to be the real test of a touring ski. Light enough with the bindings I chose for long days. I’m satisfied. They sure are trendy nowadays, but they’re worthy of the adoration IMO.
Having picked up a pair of 179 Navis as well last year I found them dependable but generally boring. Maybe it’s just me. They sure do generate a lot of comments.
Great review. Thanks for writing it.
I picked some of last years Camoxs up over the summer at a great price. I already have the Orb Freebirds and love them. Just wanted something slightly fatter for a couple of trips I’ve got coming up this year. Looking forward to trying the Camoxs. Only 11 weeks to wait until the first trip of the season. 🙂
I got to demo some of these guys last winter and I was super stoked on them (and the Navis too). Closest thing I’ve found to a “touring” (ie no metal/ light) version of my older Nordica Enforcers that Iove so much. Would be interested to see how these compare to the Blizzard Zero-G 95.
Very interested your views of the new model, listed as 2750g / pair on the manufacturers website and selected ski of the year at proskilab. Also curious how these compare to Head Kore 93. I am really torn between these two ski’s, to combine with the Shift MNC binding and Atomic XTD boots for a 50/50 travel friendly quiver of one. If the Freebird can match the stability and speed of the Kore on groomers then it’s significant weight advantage will give it the nod. Still, judging only from the reviews, Kore seems to be unique in its blend of lightweight with heft and thus the ideal match with Shift MNC.
I have these in 183. Absolutely love them. Couldn’t be happier, reasonable enough weight for skinning but not so light as to get tossed around or chatter in harder/rougher conditions, for touring the Wasatch I can’t see any real downsides, unless you’re one that can never have enough float, though even then they’ve been Surfy in boot deep Utah pow.
For me they’ve been the right amount of weight, width rocker, and drive.
@Andrew, how does the 183 length relate to your personal stats of length, weight and ski style?
Max,
I’m 6′ 200lbs
I’m an athletic but more center stance skier than an all out charger. I find the Camox Freebird absolutely perfect for this. The flex is even and round, but it will handle some aggression.
Stay right over the balls of your feet and let the tip and tail rocker do the work for you. No need to lean into the shovels just angulate at the hips and knees and the tips come around and you can either stay leaned and finish strong or flatten the bases and drift out the end of the turn.
Trees And chutes and an agile approach are what these guys were made for. I honestly couldn’t be happier. They’ll do just fine on an open face, they’ll just want to make a few more turns over massive sweeping arcs.
Of course bear in mind mine are the 17/18 version before they changed it.
Andrew, with these do you ever feel that a size up would be beneficial or is this just the right length?
No these feel good though I’m glad I went with the 183 over the 178. But I don’t feel a need to size up to say a 188.
I am looking for some recommendation / eperience on the right lenght for the Camox Freebird (2019).
I am 5′ 9″ at 170 lb with quite an athletic skiing style. I also like doing tours with lots of altitude. So I am not sure whether the 178 Freebird would be right for me, or whether I should go with the 183.
Sorry, I meant 5′ 11″ … (180 cm) … 🙂
Get the 185s. I’m the same height weight as you and find the 179s just sort of flat.
Thanks Darin for your feedback. You mean the 183 cm (Camox Freebird 2019), right? Do you use it for steep, tricky uphill sections as well? That’s my only worry about the 183 cm, that it might feel too long.
Piggy backing on Joerg’s inquiry. I’m the same size but pretty a relaxed and neutral skier. You think the 178 for be enough ski? This will be primarily a spring maritime ski.
Mitch, I just had a chance to test ride the 178 last weekend. I did about 1500 in elevation to get an idea how the skis feel on a somewhat longer climb. I noticed that the mounting of the binding is much more in the center of the ski, compared for instance to my K2 wayback 88, where the binding is much closer to the end of the skis. Which of course means, that the tail (part of the ski “behind” the binding) is much longer with the Camox Freebird. It noticed that quite heavily in tricky switchbacks, where it became a little bit more difficult to deal with that longer tail. So with respect to uphill, I would not go for the 183 with my length. Putting the skis downhill was awesome. However, the test conditions were not particullarly stressing the ski, as there was about 100 – 120 cm of fresh powder 🙂 The 178 performed incredibly well, so also there, no need to go for the 183. My only remaining question is, how the 178 does when conditions get more difficult, with mixed snow, icy sections or with lots of bumps.. However, considering my experience on the uphill, I do not think that the 183 would be an option for myself…
Thanks Joerg! That helps clarify things a bit. Honestly, I haven’t skied a “traditional” ski with a longer camber profile such as this in awhile. Main skis right now are the Wailer112 and Lotus 138 which are much more playful and surfy so I was thinking going a little shorter might be better with these.
Joerg, Yes it is more center mounted than most touring skis, and that longer tail can sometimes be tricky in more technical kick turns. After skiing on them all season with around 40 tours in a variety of conditions, though mostly soft ones, I will say that I continue to be impressed with the ski. There was a few times over the winter where in my off days I would wonder if I wanted something fatter for more float, and then the storm would hit, and I would be out again in boot deep Wasatch Powder, and never felt like I needed more float. I also wondered if I wanted perhaps more tail rocker, but then this spring I find myself in situations where the flatter tail was a plus, and the rocker that is there is always accessible.
I wouldn’t say the ski is perfect there are definitely some areas and ways in which it is adequate but not ideally suited for, I think you’ll find that with any ski. But man if you stay in that more neutral and athletic stance, the ski can be pushed pretty hard, and honestly it’s a pretty solid choice for any backcountry skier
You mentioned the Camox freebird being a little skinny for the PNW. Just wondering what waste width you suggest? I have some salomon qst 99’s that are great, but they sink in powder a little too much for my liking and I’m looking to replace those. Thanks!