91 mm Ski Mountaineering Touring Ski
Black Crows Orb Freebird
Ski mountaineers who care more about edge hold on firm, steep snow than float in boot-deep powder are the audience the Orb Freebird has served since its creation. A 91 mm waist and an 18 m radius keep the ski underfoot and predictable when the snow goes hard, while an ash pocket under the binding area, a dense hardwood insert, sits exactly where the binding screws land. At 1,325 g per ski in the 167.0 cm and 1,450 g in the 178.0 cm, the Black Crows Orb Freebird climbs efficiently while keeping a full 18 m sidecut rather than a skimo shape.
Expert Ski Review Ratings and length guidance reviewed by CCBB ski staff.
Is This the Right Ski for You?
Best For
Ski mountaineers and spring tourers who want a light 91 mm ski for steep, firm terrain, value precision over float, and ski couloirs, corn and technical descents.
Consider Another Ski If
You want real float in midwinter powder, a stiffer ski for high-speed open faces, or a telemark setup, which Black Crows states the Orb Freebird does not accept.
CCBB Ski Ratings
Uphill Efficiency
1,325 g per ski at 167.0 cm
Downhill Performance
Solid flex, ash pocket under the mount
Soft Snow Float
91 mm waist, rated intermediate float
Firm Snow Grip
18 m radius, slightly straight sidecut
Rating scale: 5 = top of its class, 4 = excellent, 3 = good, 2 = specialized or below average, and 1 = limited.
CCBB Ski Profile
Dimensions124-91-107 mm (173.2 cm)
Turn Radius18 m (all lengths)
Flex PatternSolid underfoot, progressive in tip and tail
Mount Point-10 cm from center
Skin FitModel-specific ultra light pre-cut Pilus
Recommended UseSki mountaineering, spring touring
Why We Like It
- At 1,325 g per ski in the 167.0 cm, the Orb Freebird stays light enough for repeat laps while keeping 91 mm underfoot, more ski than the 80 and 85 mm options in the range.
- The ash pocket under the binding area, a dense hardwood insert, targets screw retention on a ski that will see repeated transitions and hard landings in firm snow.
- A 91 mm waist with a slightly straight sidecut keeps the edge engaged on firm snow, which is what a ski mountaineering ski is actually asked to do.
- The mount at -10 cm from center sits further back than the rest of the range, which suits a directional, tips-first approach to steep terrain.
Best Uses
- Ski mountaineering objectives and couloir descents
- Spring corn tours and long volcano days
- Firm, technical terrain where edge hold outranks float
- Fitness laps and repeat-lap skinning days
Ski Specialist's Advice
The Orb Freebird runs an 18 m radius at all six lengths, so length is a fit and mass decision. In steep, tight couloirs the 167.0 cm and 173.2 cm are the working lengths for most skiers, and the 178.0 cm or 183.1 cm suit taller skiers or anyone who wants more edge on long firm traverses. The 155.3 cm and 161.2 cm are real lengths for smaller ski mountaineers rather than junior sizes.
Black Crows sets the mount at -10 cm from center, further back than the -9 cm used on the Navis Freebird and Camox Freebird, with a 3.5 mm by 9 mm drilling pattern. A 95 mm brake is the narrowest that clears the 91 mm waist, and many skiers run this ski with a brakeless race binding and a leash instead. Black Crows states that its touring skis are not compatible with telemark bindings, and we hold to that.
The Orb Freebird takes an ultra light model-specific pre-cut Pilus skin with a tip insert and a minimal heel notch. If you run a trim-to-fit skin instead, size it off the tail, which runs 105 to 109 mm and puts the entire size run on a 120 mm skin. Do not size a skin off the 91 mm waist on this ski or the shovel edges will sit bare on a firm skin track.
Length and mount guidance reviewed by CCBB ski staff. Confirm length against your height, weight and terrain.
📐 Technical Specifications Full spec table · Click to expand
Shape and Sizing
Dimensions121-91-105 mm (155.3 cm), 122-91-105 mm (161.2 cm), 123-91-106 mm (167.0 cm), 124-91-107 mm (173.2 cm), 126-91-108 mm (178.0 cm), 129-91-109 mm (183.1 cm)
Waist Width91 mm
Turning Radius18 m (all lengths)
Lengths155.3, 161.2, 167.0, 173.2, 178.0, 183.1 cm
Weight1,325 g per ski (167.0 cm), 1,375 g per ski (173.2 cm), 1,450 g per ski (178.0 cm). Black Crows lists the 155.3, 161.2 and 183.1 cm as provisional
Construction and Use
SidecutSlightly straight sidecut for stability and balance
FlexSolid underfoot for stability, progressive in tip and tail
ReinforcementAsh pocket under the bindings, a dense hardwood insert, for screw retention
Mount and Drilling-10 cm from center, 3.5 mm by 9 mm drilling. Not compatible with telemark bindings
Base and TuneSintered base. 1.3 degree base bevel, 3 degree edge bevel
Skin FitModel-specific ultra light pre-cut Pilus with a tip insert and heel notch
Recommended UseSki mountaineering, spring touring
Compare the Black Crows Orb Freebird
Orb Freebird vs. Black Crows Camox Freebird
The Camox Freebird is the wider all-rounder at 97 mm underfoot and 1,375 g per ski at 173.1 cm, mounted at -9 cm. Both share an 18 m radius. Skiers whose season is mostly steep and firm take the Orb Freebird at 91 mm; skiers who want more soft snow capability take the Camox Freebird.
Shop Black Crows Camox Freebird skis
Orb Freebird vs. Black Crows Ova Freebird
The Ova Freebird is the lighter, narrower option at 85 mm underfoot with a 17 m radius and a paulownia core. The Orb Freebird gives up some weight to gain 6 mm of waist and a longer effective edge. Skiers chasing vertical take the Ova Freebird; skiers who want more ski underfoot on the descent take the Orb Freebird.
Shop Black Crows Ova Freebird skis
Orb Freebird vs. Blizzard Zero G 95
Skiers cross-shop these two as light touring skis for firm conditions. The Zero G 95 is the damper, more directional build, while the Orb Freebird is 91 mm on an 18 m radius with an ash pocket under the mount. The Orb Freebird is the lighter, quicker ski.
Shop Blizzard Zero G 95 skis
Common Questions
Who should buy the Black Crows Orb Freebird?
The Black Crows Orb Freebird suits ski mountaineers and spring tourers who want a light ski that still holds an edge. At 91 mm underfoot with an 18 m radius and 1,325 g per ski at 167.0 cm, the Orb Freebird is built for steep, firm terrain rather than deep snow.
What bindings work with the Black Crows Orb Freebird?
The Black Crows Orb Freebird takes standard alpine bindings, pin/tech (low-tech) touring bindings, and hybrid bindings, because a ski carries no sole norm of its own. Match the binding to your boot sole norm rather than to the ski, and confirm the binding accepts that norm. Black Crows sets the mount point at -10 cm from center and specifies a 3.5 mm by 9 mm drilling pattern. Black Crows states that its touring skis are not compatible with telemark bindings, and we hold to that. Choose a brake that clears the 91 mm waist, so 95 mm is the narrowest that works.
What is the rocker and camber profile of the Orb Freebird?
We do not state one. Black Crows publishes float, sidecut, flex, reinforcement, mount point and drilling for the f26 Orb Freebird, but publishes no rocker or camber specification for the f26 ski, and this generation is a redesign. Rather than carry over the previous version's profile copy, we have left the field empty and asked the manufacturer. We will publish it when they answer.
How much does the Black Crows Orb Freebird weigh?
The Orb Freebird weighs 1,325 g per ski at 167.0 cm, 1,375 g per ski at 173.2 cm and 1,450 g per ski at 178.0 cm. Black Crows lists the 155.3, 161.2 and 183.1 cm figures as provisional for this model year, so we do not publish them.
What length Black Crows Orb Freebird should I get?
The 18 m radius holds at every length, so length is about mass and edge rather than turn shape. Most skiers running steep couloirs land on the 167.0 cm or 173.2 cm, while taller skiers and anyone doing long firm traverses do better on the 178.0 cm or 183.1 cm.
What skins fit the Black Crows Orb Freebird?
Black Crows makes an Orb Freebird specific ultra light pre-cut Pilus skin with a tip insert and a minimal heel notch, cut to all six lengths. Trim-to-fit skins should be sized off the tail, which runs 105 to 109 mm across the run and puts every length on a 120 mm skin.
Why does the Orb Freebird mount at -10 cm?
Black Crows sets the Orb Freebird mount at -10 cm from center, one centimeter further back than the Navis Freebird and Camox Freebird. A rearward mount lengthens the shovel ahead of the boot, which suits directional skiing in steep terrain. The mount line is marked with an arrow on the sidewall, and Black Crows advises mounting there.
Is 91 mm wide enough for powder?
Black Crows rates float at 91 mm as intermediate, and we would not choose the Orb Freebird as a powder ski. In boot-deep snow it works fine; in a genuine storm day it will sink and demand more speed than a 104 mm ski to stay on top. Skiers who ski powder more than firm snow should look at the Navis Freebird instead.
Our Verdict
The Black Crows Orb Freebird is a ski mountaineering tool first and an all-rounder second, and it is honest about that. A 91 mm waist on an 18 m radius with a slightly straight sidecut keeps the edge engaged on firm, steep snow, the ash pocket under the binding area targets the screw retention that hard use eats, and 1,325 g per ski at 167.0 cm makes long ascents realistic.
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