Each year, a ski pops up that’s surprising, fun, and very well-rounded. Last year, it was the Vertis from Black Crows, and that trend continues into 2023. There’s just something nice about a ski at 85-mm underfoot that can do a whole lot of different things. When you combine a well-rounded shape with a fairly simple build, it’s very impressive, the quality and amount of performance that can come of it. There’s not a whole lot of high-tech stuff going on here, but simplicity is part of the fun, and a lot of skiers will just enjoy getting on the Vertis and skiing, and not thinking too hard about it. Built with a poplar wood core and a fiberglass laminate, the Vertis relies on the energy from the wood and the glass, but ad quite a bit of long camber to the mix in order to get the ski to grip and pop. When that’s combined with a shorter, 15-meter turn radius, it makes for a very lively ski. They’re pretty light, too, coming in at just under 1700 grams per ski in the 175 cm length. The combination of the shape, profile, and construction make this ski excel on-trail while being wide enough for some adventurous skiing as well. With no metal, it’s totally accessible to intermediate skiers, but has a surprisingly high-end ceiling that will delight advanced and lighter-weight/less-aggressive experts.
ROCKER PROFILE
Rocker / Camber
CORE MATERIALS
ABS Sidewall
PREFERRED TERRAIN
Groomers, All Mountain
Dave Hatoff notes that his 175 cm test length was just right, scoring the Vertis 4’s out of 5 for overall impression, forgiveness, playfulness, quickness, and maneuverability. Versatility, torsional stiffness, edge grip, stability, and flotation all got 3’s. Dave calls it a “Great utility ski. Easy to engage, approachable and lightweight. Will appeal to a wide variety of skiers, ability levels, and styles.” David Wolfgang, also on the 175, noted it skis true, but is likely short for him. With the exception of a 3 out of 5 for flotation, David gave the skis all 4’s the rest of the scorecard. David states that “If you are an intermediate/advanced skier or just want a more laid-back all-mountain ski, then this is a ski to seriously consider. Feels light under foot but beefier enough to hold on to the hard pack. Will initiate all turn types.” Even with that shorter radius, it’s great to hear David note that it’s not locked into that arc.
John McIntosh is a great skier to get on the Vertis—a strong background, but not quite as aggressive anymore, John loves to cruise, and he does a great job of it. He loved the 175, and scored it 5’s out of 5 for quickness and maneuverability. Overall impression, versatility, torsional stiffness, edge hold, forgiveness, playfulness, and stability all got 4’s, so we’re dealing with a pretty high-range of scores here from John, who notes that he “Really enjoyed this ski for how snappy, quick turning and lively it feels. Although conditions did not allow testing of float, the wider tip and light weight indicate that it would float quite well. Front side oriented, but versatile enough to be playful in variable conditions. Recommended for the intermediate to advanced skiers.”
It’s pretty impressive and amazing what Black Crows can eke out of a simple poplar wood core ski. With a fun front-side shape and cut to go in a slightly wider-bodied format, the Vertis will turn on a dime, but it’s not limited to that for more advanced skiers. It’s light and flexible enough to push into differently shaped turns, allowing for fun and energy all day long.
