Similar to its former model and a direct counterpart to the men’s version, the 2023 Black Crows Vertis Birdie is an approachable and high-performance all-mountain ski. Intended for women, the basic construction offers a poplar wood core with a softer flex, providing quick edge-to-edge maneuverability for effortless control and versatility. Attracting a wide range of ability levels, the Vertis is shaped specifically with semi-cap construction and a short turn radius. This allows for smooth and easy release in and out of turns, eliminating the risk of hooking when engaging tighter, arcing turns. With a wider shovel in the tips and a directional profile in the tails, they maximize flotation in softer conditions while maintaining power and a longer effective edge all the way through the ski. Falling under the narrower option as far as all-mountain skis go, the Vertis still holds firm upon changeable terrain and various conditions. If you’re a female shredder who is seeking an intuitive ski for the entire mountain without having to commit to a wider, more aggressive option, the Vertis will exceed your expectations.
ROCKER PROFILE
Rocker / Camber
CORE MATERIALS
ABS Sidewall
PREFERRED TERRAIN
Groomers, All Mountain
Carly Monahan tested the 159 and noted that while it skied true to size, it felt a little short for her liking. Affecting her score for flotation, giving it a 3, all other scores were in the 4’s and 5’s. It’s pretty consistent when testers feel as though the length they ski is too short, the flotation is docked due to the lack of surface area. Given the rest of her scores though, it’s apparent that Carly’s overall experience on the Vertis Birdies was positive. She mentioned “Playful and maneuverable. For being so light and easy to flex, this ski has some great spunk and stability. Great for aspiring intermediates or more advanced skiers looking for something easy-going that won’t leave you feeling fatigued after a solid day of skiing. Though it’s not a tank by any means, it holds its own through crud and chunder and makes lovely turns on soft groomers.” We love a good spunky ski that has some personality yet can hold its own when variable conditions are encountered. It’s also worth noting the fact that this ski is easy-going and won’t leave you feeling tired after your time spent on them.
Allison Kozar skied the 159 and without great enthusiasm, she marked that it felt “fine.” Though it's evident that she was not in love, it is most likely a true size for her. She gave the Vertis Birdie some decent scores as a result, with 4’s out of 5 given for overall impression, versatility, playfulness, flotation, and maneuverability. Torsional stiffness and edge grip earned a 3, and that’s not terribly surprising given the light weight nature of the ski. Allison notes that she “was pleasantly surprised how it handled choppy soft snow. Stable and pretty playful.” It’s impressive that Allison liked how they handled choppy and soft snow, allowing for the skis to be both grippy and strong on firmer snow, as well as being compliant and fun in softer stuff as well.
To achieve both versatility and high-performance in an all-mountain ski, having the tools to obtain confidence to build on your skill set is crucial. With the Black Crows Vertis Birdie, you are set up for success through its light weighted nature, intuitive control, and approachable personality. For intermediate level skiers looking to ski bumps and trees to fast, powerful groomers, look for no further.
