Black Crows Camox (2025/26) — Review

The 4th‑gen Camox stays true to its playful, park‑influenced roots while being tuned into a highly usable all‑mountain daily driver. With a 97 mm waist, double rocker, and an 18 m radius, it blends easy pivoting and slarving with dependable edge hold and enough stability for resort speeds.

On‑snow performance

Groomers/carving: Medium camber underfoot provides solid grip and energy from turn to turn. The 18 m sidecut feels neutral and versatile, happy with both quick short turns and longer arcs. On boilerplate, it lacks the sheer damping of heavier metal‑laminate skis.
Bumps/trees: The moderate weight (≈1700 g @175) and rocker make it quick to pivot and forgiving. The flex is progressive rather than punishing, which helps absorb mistakes in tight terrain.
Soft snow: For 97 mm, float is very respectable thanks to the upturned tip and tail. It’s not a dedicated pow board, but for resort storms, wind buff, and soft chop, it’s more than capable.
Park/switch: Partial twin tail and a -6 cm recommended mount deliver pop and balance for sidehits, spins, and occasional rails. Landings feel supportive due to the ash reinforcement underfoot.
Stability/high speed: Calm enough for everyday speeds. At truly high velocity or on rough hardpack, the tips can flutter; directional chargers remain more composed.

Build highlights

Poplar core with ash “pocket” underfoot: lively feel with added support where you stomp and edge.
Semi‑cap with ABS sidewalls: durability with predictable power transfer.
Double rocker + medium camber: smear and pivot when you want, grip when you need.
Suggested mount: -6 cm (freestyle‑friendly; move back 0.5–2 cm for more directional feel).

Specs explained

Rocker profile: Double rocker with camber — boosts maneuverability and float while retaining edge hold and rebound on firm snow.
Waist 97 mm: All‑mountain sweet spot; quick edge‑to‑edge yet still serviceable in soft snow.
Sidecut radius 18 m: Balanced and versatile; not hooky, not sluggish, easy to steer.
Tip/tail widths (by length): Broad tip (up to 138 mm) adds lift; slightly narrower tail (up to 125 mm) eases release and controlled slarves.
Weight ≈1700 g (175 cm): Keeps things nimble and playful; a touch less damping on truly hard snow.

Comparisons

Atomic Bent 100: Camox carves a bit cleaner; Bent 100 feels looser and more surfy in the park.
Salomon QST 98: QST is more planted and powerful at speed; Camox pivots easier and feels livelier in bumps/trees.
Blizzard Rustler 9: Rustler damps better and handles chop faster; Camox is lighter on its feet and more forgiving.
Nordica Unleashed 98: Both playful; Camox is slightly easier to steer and mount‑agnostic, Unleashed is stiffer for aggressive skiers.

Who it’s for (and not)

Best for: Skiers who want a playful all‑mountain that does a bit of everything—groomers, bumps, trees, sidehits, and occasional park laps.
Not ideal for: Ice‑day carvers, straight‑line chargers, or riders seeking deep‑pow flotation above all else.

Mounting & sizing tips

Mount: Start at -6 cm. Go +0.5–1 cm forward for more freestyle balance; -0.5–2 cm back for directional stability and steeps.
Length: About your height to +5 cm for all‑mountain. Go shorter if you’re lighter/technical; longer if you’re aggressive or ski open terrain.

Pros and cons

Pros: Playful and maneuverable; wide usable range; supportive underfoot; easy to steer and pivot.
Cons: Less damp on ice and rough refreeze; not the best in truly deep snow.

Key takeaways

Playful daily driver: Handles most resort conditions without much fuss.
Balanced shape: 18 m radius and 97 mm waist keep it predictable and versatile.
Freestyle friendly: Partial twin and -6 cm mount provide pop and switch balance.

Frequently asked questions

Q: How does the Black Crows Camox hold on hard snow?
A: Medium camber and an 18 m radius give solid edge hold and calm, round turns. On genuine boilerplate, heavier metal‑laminate all‑mountain skis offer more damping and bite.

Q: Is 97 mm enough for powder?
A: For resort pow and soft chop, yes—the double rocker helps it plane. In deep, light snow, a 105–110 mm freeride ski will float meaningfully better.

Q: Where should I mount the bindings?
A: -6 cm is the stock recommendation and works well as an all‑round stance. Move slightly forward for park/freestyle, or back for more directional, steep terrain confidence.