Black Crows Camox Jr Review

Overview

The Black Crows Camox Jr is a junior all‑mountain ski built for young riders who want one ski to do it all. A double rocker (tip and tail) paired with medium/classic camber underfoot, a 90 mm waist, and a forgiving flex make it easy to initiate turns, pivot in tight spaces, and stay playful across mixed snow.

Ideal for intermediate to advanced kids who split time between groomers, bumps, trees, and the occasional soft‑snow day. Less ideal for purely icy conditions or those seeking race‑ski precision.

On‑snow performance

Groomers and carving: The tight sidecut and underfoot camber deliver intuitive edge engagement and lively short‑to‑medium turns on typical hardpack. On true ice, edge hold is limited versus narrower, more camber‑heavy junior carvers. At higher speeds, the softer tips can get a bit flappy.
Trees and bumps: This is where the Camox Jr shines. The double rocker and low swing weight allow quick pivots and line changes, while the forgiving tail smooths out mistakes.
Soft snow and powder: At 90 mm underfoot with noticeable tip/tail rocker, it floats better than most junior skis. Up to roughly 15–20 cm, kids will stay on top and in control; deeper days are still fun but this isn’t a pure powder surfer.
Switch/park: The twin‑tip shape and supportive yet soft tail make switch skiing and small jumps accessible. Not a dedicated rail ski, but very capable for all‑mountain freestyle.

Construction and durability

A semi‑cap build with a poplar wood core and fiberglass keeps weight reasonable and the ride lively. Full ABS sidewalls add bite and vibration damping. Finish quality is solid for the category. Regular waxing and a sharp tune (around 1°/2°) will maintain performance; expect normal wear if your kid spends time on rails.

Sizing and mounting

Length: Chin‑to‑forehead for most; go longer for aggressive skiers or more soft‑snow stability. Shorter is quicker and more playful in bumps/trees.
Mount: Use the recommended line for true all‑mountain use; move forward only for park‑heavy riding.
Brake width: 90–100 mm brakes are ideal.

Comparisons

Atomic Bent 85/90 Youth: A touch looser and often lighter; extremely playful in soft snow, with slightly less edge hold than the Camox Jr on firm groomers.
Armada ARV 84/88 JR: Narrower and more carve‑centric; better precision and bite on hardpack, but less float and forgiveness in soft conditions.
Black Crows Junius: Narrower, lighter, and easier for beginners; the Camox Jr is more stable and offers better headroom as skills progress.

Who it’s for (and who it isn’t)

For: Active junior skiers who value versatility, playfulness, and quick maneuvering across the mountain.
Not for: Kids focused on icy‑day carving or race‑like precision—consider a narrower, stiffer piste ski instead.

Specs and what they mean

Rocker profile: Double rocker + medium/classic camber. Easy turn initiation and pivot; camber adds rebound and edge grip when tipped on edge.
Tip/waist/tail widths: 118/≈102–109/90 mm. The 118 mm tip aids float; 90 mm waist balances stability and quickness; tail width provides support exiting turns and for small landings.
Radius: About 16–18 m (increases with length). Encourages short‑to‑medium turns without feeling twitchy.
Weight: About 2400–3200 g per pair depending on length; roughly half per ski. Light enough for quick transitions yet sturdy enough for daily use.
Lengths: 139.3, 149.3, 157.3, 164.2, 171.1 cm. A clear size ladder to match growth and different styles.

Key takeaways

Playful all‑mountain feel: double rocker makes slarving and pivoting easy.
Versatile width: 90 mm works on groomers and offers real soft‑snow help.
Forgiving yet supportive flex: lets kids progress without punishing mistakes.
Limitations: not an ice specialist; top‑end stability trails heavier, stiffer skis.

Frequently asked questions

Q: What size Black Crows Camox Jr should I choose?
A: Aim for chin‑to‑forehead height. Lighter or cautious skiers should go shorter; aggressive riders or soft‑snow seekers can size up for more stability and float.

Q: Is 90 mm too wide for hard, icy days?
A: For boilerplate, a narrower ski will bite better. With a good tune, the Camox Jr is fine on typical hardpack, but it won’t match race‑oriented grip on true ice.

Q: Which bindings work best?
A: Pick a junior DIN binding appropriate for weight/ability with a 90–100 mm brake. Mount on the recommended line for balanced all‑mountain performance.

Q: What’s the difference between the Camox Jr and Camox Birdie Jr?
A: The Birdie Jr is essentially the same ski with a different graphic aimed at girls; construction and on‑snow performance are the same.