2025 Black Crows Serpo

With energy and pop to spare, the 2025 Black Crows Serpo remains one of our favorite skis in the mid-90s. It’s more of a directional all-mountain ski than a freeride option, and that’s mainly because it’s a fantastic carver. When you hook the tip in to the snow, the tail feels like it’s already thinking about the next turn. There aren’t many other skis in this range that have the same zest and agility. At the same time, the ski also has metal involved so stability and smoothness also become part of the story. Then, add in the versatility due to the shape and rocker, and Black Crows has an amazing product on their hands. To go on your feet.

Built the same as in years past, the Serpo starts with a poplar wood core and fiberglass layers. On top of that they use double H-shaped titanal plates underfoot for stability and power. This puts more emphasis on the arms of the ski and the sides, delivering prompt and potent energy to the edges of the ski. Since the metal ends at the tips and tails, the ski is still very zippy out of the turns. This ski also uses full sidewalls to enhance the on-trail capabilities and edge grip. As tester and long-time ski instructor Erik Timmerman posits, the Serpo “Feels traditional. That is good. It’s a great all-mountain resort ski with a traditional shape and sidecut. The mild camber profile makes it perform like you’d expect. It’s pretty powerful.” That build with the metal certainly adds some power to the mix, making the Serpo stand up to some very strong and aggressive skiing. He also noted that it’s best when used by experts, and if they want it to be more accessible, they’d have to make it a bit softer.

At 92 mm underfoot, this ski is right in the sweet spot for being versatile and carvy. Many skiers like the feeling of a wider platform underfoot for a carver, as it allows for higher edge angles and more room for softer snow. While we deal with a lot of firm snow here in Vermont, it is also soft, so having something that blends and mixes those worlds makes a lot of sense. Jeff Neagle notes that the shape adds to the overall versatility of the ski and its uncanny ability to avoid superlatives: “Serpo is super fun to ski. It might not be the best in any singular category, but its combination of performance characteristics is fantastic and it's easily one of the most well-rounded all-mountain skis you'll find. Strong enough you can push it on a groomer, but it never feels too locked in or two one-dimensional. Impressive edge release for its shape, which gives you a ton of freedom to be creative and make the turns you want to make when and where you want to make them.” By having that slightly longer 20-meter turn radius to go along with slight tip and tail rocker, the Serpo puts a lot of emphasis on the skier and their input to the ski.

Like Erik said, this is a pretty stiff ski and is best for experts. This does not mean that aggressive or progressing advanced skiers won’t find success here, rather, they will just have to be prepared and ready for the excessive rebound and energy that the Serpo produces. This is a high-test ski with a lot of pop and zest. Skiers looking for a playful ski or something more flexible for softer snow may want to look elsewhere, but for a mix of strong turning and high energy, the Serpo is as complete as they come.