Black Crows Draco Freebird – Review

The Draco Freebird is the playful powder specialist of Black Crows’ touring line: a lightweight, partially twin-tipped 110 mm ski built to float, pivot, and land in soft snow while staying composed at speed. It blends the surfy freedom of a double rocker with enough camber and backbone to handle real backcountry variability.

What stands out

• Playful yet purposeful: double rocker pivots and slashes, camber underfoot adds grip, pop, and confidence.
• Surprisingly stable for its weight: long-ish radius keeps things calm in open terrain.
• 110 mm underfoot: serious float for a touring ski; not class-lightest, but among the most fun on the down.

On-snow performance

• Powder: easy planing and a loose, surfy feel. There’s real energy underfoot, so you can drive it when the pitch opens up.
• Chop and variable: reasonably damp for a tour build, though lighter mass means it can get lively in heavy, tracked snow versus resort-weight chargers.
• Steeps/trees: long radius and low swing weight make hop turns and quick pivots intuitive. Feels trustworthy if you stay centered and active.
• Hard snow: camber provides usable edge hold, but this isn’t a carver. Expect competent transit on firm, not razor-carve performance.
• Speed and airs: stable enough for big, smooth lines; the twin-tip shape softens landings and allows the occasional switch exit.
• Skinning/efficiency: commendably light for 110 mm; big vert days are feasible, though gram counters may prefer narrower/lighter options.

Construction & design

• Paulownia + poplar core with glass and carbon reinforcements for a light, lively ride.
• Semi-cap with partial sidewalls adds bite and durability; subtle, partial twin tail (some retailers note a small skin-notch).
• Recommended mount around -5 cm balances freestyle feel with directional control.

Sizing recommendations

• 176 (175): nimble, quick-turning, ideal for tighter trees or lighter riders.
• 181: the sweet spot for most; best balance of stability, float, and touring weight.
• 189: for aggressive skiers, higher speeds, and frequent deep days.

Comparisons

• Black Crows Corvus Freebird (107 mm): more directional and composed on firm/speed; less playful and less switch-friendly than Draco Freebird.
• Blizzard Hustle 11 (112 mm): a touch damper and more directional; Draco is looser and more freestyle-minded in tight terrain.
• DPS Pagoda Tour 112 RP: lighter with shorter radius; ultra-maneuverable in tight spaces, less composed at speed than Draco.
• Salomon QST Echo 106: lighter for long missions; Draco offers more float and pop for powder and features.

Who it’s for (and who should pass)

• Get it if: you want a playful, soft-snow oriented touring ski that still holds it together in mixed backcountry conditions.
• Pass if: you’re an ultralight purist, ski a lot of steep firm couloirs, or want a flat tail for anchors and snow platforms.

Specs and what they mean

• Rocker profile – double rocker with camber underfoot: easy pivots and float with predictable grip and energy.
• Dimensions – tip ~135–139 mm / waist 110 (112 in 189) / tail ~125–127 mm: float-forward width with tails that release cleanly.
• Sidecut radius – ~21 m (176/181), ~23 m (189): longer turn shape adds stability and reduces hookiness in variable snow.
• Weight – roughly 1.75–1.87 kg per ski around 181 cm (or ~3.6–3.8 kg per pair, length/source dependent): light enough to tour, stout enough to descend. Note: retailers mix per-ski vs. per-pair listings.
• Core & laminates – paulownia/poplar + glass/carbon: low mass with snap and responsiveness.
• Construction – semi-cap with partial ABS sidewalls: durability and edge hold without excessive weight.
• Mount & drill – recommended -5 cm, 3.5 mm x 9 mm drill; do not mount with telemark bindings.
• Lengths – 175.2 / 181.5 / 189.2 cm: size by speed, terrain, and preference.

Important weight note

Different vendors report slightly different numbers and sometimes per ski vs. per pair. If exact grams matter for binding choice or packing, weigh a ski or confirm a per-ski figure with your retailer.

Key takeaways

• Playful freeride touring: double rocker and twin-tip feel make soft-snow days a blast.
• Stable for the category: the longer radius and camber keep it composed at speed.
• Not the lightest: there are lighter 110s, but few that ski this fun on the way down.
• Versatile use case: trees to alpine faces; on true ice it’s adequate, not exceptional.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Is the Black Crows Draco Freebird good for powder touring?
A: Absolutely. The 110 mm waist, double rocker, and playful tail deliver easy float and maneuverability. Camber underfoot adds security when you encounter firm patches or higher speeds.

Q: What length should I choose?
A: Most skiers land on 181 cm as the all-rounder. Pick 176 for tighter terrain or lighter riders; choose 189 if you’re aggressive, fast, or see frequent deep days.

Q: How does it handle icy or firm snow?
A: Camber and partial sidewalls offer solid, predictable edge hold, but it’s still a wide, playful touring ski. For frequent firm couloirs, a more directional ski (e.g., Corvus Freebird) is a better fit.

Q: What bindings pair well, and can I mount telemark?
A: A modern pin or hybrid touring binding is ideal. Black Crows specifies not to mount telemark; stick to the -5 cm recommendation and 3.5 x 9 mm drill spec.