Black crows Vena Cor — Review

The Black crows Vena Cor is a new 26-27 all-mountain freeride ski at 100 mm underfoot, sitting in the Black crows lineup as a more forgiving alternative to the directional Black crows Justis and the charger-style Black crows Solis. Built around a poplar woodcore with fiberglass and full-length carbon stripes on the top and bottom layers, the Vena Cor pairs a double rocker profile with a tapered swallowtail. Five lengths from 160 to 188 cm, all on a constant 17 m radius, target intermediate-to-advanced freeride skiers who want versatility without the demanding tail of the Solis.

With 100 mm underfoot and double rocker (tip plus tail rocker, camber underfoot), the Vena Cor initiates easily and releases the tail thanks to the tapered swallowtail. The constant 17 m sidecut across all five lengths is short for a 100 mm freeride ski and biases the Vena Cor toward short-to-medium turns rather than long charger arcs. Per-length weights from 1500 g at 160 cm up to 1875 g at 188 cm sit lighter than the Justis (~2050 g at 177 cm) and the Solis, helping the ski feel quick edge-to-edge in trees and tight terrain.

The Vena Cor uses a poplar woodcore (mid-density wood tuned for energy and damping balance), fiberglass layers, and full-length carbon stripes on the top and bottom of the laminate stack for longitudinal stiffness without titanal weight. The chassis uses semi-cap construction with ABS sidewalls — sidewall underfoot for edge bite and durability, with a cap transition toward tip and tail. Profile is double rocker with a tapered swallowtail — tip and tail rocker for soft-snow release plus camber underfoot for grip. Per-length specs: 160 cm (127/100/117, 17 m, 1500 g), 167 cm (129/100/119, 17 m, 1550 g), 174 cm (129/100/120, 17 m, 1650 g), 181 cm (134/100/125, 17 m, 1775 g), 188 cm (134/100/125, 17 m, 1875 g).

The Vena Cor targets the intermediate-to-advanced freeride skier who wants 100 mm versatility but finds the Justis too directional and the Solis too demanding. Against the Black crows Justis (also 100 mm) it is lighter, has a much shorter 17 m radius, and uses carbon stripes rather than the Justis's H-titanal plate — more forgiving, less charger character. Against the Black crows Solis it backs off the charger personality for an easier all-mountain feel. Against the Black crows Camox it adds underfoot width and a swallowtail for more soft-snow appetite. For touring-leaning skiers the Black crows Navis freebird remains the lighter, hike-focused choice; the Vena Cor is a resort and side-country ski rather than a tour ski.

Pros

• 100 mm waist plus tapered swallowtail balances float and tail release in soft snow.
• 5 lengths from 160 to 188 cm cover a wide range of skiers and turn preferences.
• 1500-1875 g per ski is lighter than the Justis at comparable lengths.
• Carbon stripes add longitudinal stiffness without the weight of titanal.

Cons

• Constant 17 m radius limits long-arc, high-speed character vs. the Justis.
• Carbon stripes without metal concede edge grip on hard ice vs. titanal-loaded peers.
• Tapered swallowtail reduces tail support for skidded carves and switch landings.
• Touring score is modest — not a replacement for the Navis freebird on long skin tracks.

Verdict: A forgiving 100 mm all-mountain freeride that fills the gap between the Camox and the Justis — choose it when you want soft-snow versatility and a short-to-medium turn shape without the demanding tail of the Solis.