Ski Club 2.0 Home
Snow Reports
FAQFAQ

Mail for help.Help!!

Log in to snowHeads to make it MUCH better! Registration's totally free, of course, and makes snowHeads easier to use and to understand, gives better searching, filtering etc. as well as access to 'members only' forums, discounts and deals that U don't even know exist as a 'guest' user. (btw. 50,000+ snowHeads already know all this, making snowHeads the biggest, most active community of snow-heads in the UK, so you'll be in good company)..... When you register, you get our free weekly(-ish) snow report by email. It's rather good and not made up by tourist offices (or people that love the tourist office and want to marry it either)... We don't share your email address with anyone and we never send out any of those cheesy 'message from our partners' emails either. Anyway, snowHeads really is MUCH better when you're logged in - not least because you get to post your own messages complaining about things that annoy you like perhaps this banner which, incidentally, disappears when you log in :-)
Username:-
 Password:
Remember me:
👁 durr, I forgot...
Or: Register
(to be a proper snow-head, all official-like!)

Black Crows Atris - anyone used them?

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Background, skis a like

- Volkl Katana Metal 191 - Prob my fav ski

- Volkl Gotama 194 - like an easy going Katana.

- Original Rossi Squad 7 - Wood skis not the air tip rubbish

Skis I dislike

- Soul 7

- DPS Wailer 112

12 Months ago wrecked my ACL.

I was out in the Alps skiing deep pow last weekend for the first time since injury and used the Gotamas, they are ok in pow but not ideal - I really want a smaller easier going ski something around 185 that puts less stress on my recovering knee, the Atris looks like it may do this, 20m turn radius and they don't have tapered tips which I am not a huge fan of.

I don't want any more than 110 underfoot as I don't want additional knee stress, the Atris is supposed to be a very good pow ski as it has a lot of tip rocker.

So has anyone skied the Atris, and thoughts on length. They are mean to ski short. I would normally go straight for the 189 but thinking about making my dodgy knees work a bit less maybe the 184 is the answer. The ski gets a very good review on Blister.

I am 6'1", 83kg in my gear and just turned the wrong side of 50!
latest report
 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Paul will be along shortly to try and sell you his R.108 rangers.
latest report
 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
The BMT109's you recently sold would have been ideal rolling eyes

My choice over the BMT109's and for a lot less £ would be the 191 Whitedot Director CarbonLite. Easy but great fun to ski. CarbonLite build has super low swing weight so when combined with flat underfoot & rocker both ends they pivot on a dime but will be as easy on the legs as your gonna get for of size you're after.
ski holidays
 You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
@interpaul, I first "tested" the Atris March 2016 at the SIGB Test in Kuhtai.

I'm a wee bit smaller than you 5' 10" 3/4 and 78kg in ski gear - also have had ACL and both knees get a wee bit sore and I'm 59!

At the time I was "testing" touring skis but occasionally went out on others.

I wrote this afterwards
With my appetite now whetted I took the Black Crows Atris 184 at 108 out and what a fun, but capable ski managing the icy hard pack on the piste before dropping off down into the untracked glades between the trees. If I was not so much into touring this could well be the ski for me!



Back then I had Scott Cascades and in Feb of this year I lost one after getting caught in a slide.

Fast forward to this season. I spend the winter season out in Serre Che, I ski pretty well every day, I tour two three times a week plus do three or four trips and in Jan 18 it's Japan.

There was only one choice for me 184 Atris and I've mounted them with Diamir Tectons.

I've been out on them a fair bit already this season, charging on Groomers and knee deep powder plus a few tours - and whilst I'm typing this trying to work out where to tour on them this morning.

Charging on hard piste obviously I can feel my knee(s) powder and no issues - though breaking track in knee deep last week I did get some twinges!!

Friend of mine who is the wife of a well known La Grave guide and she does PR for Freeride World Tour and lives in La Grave loves hers and she does stuff I can only dream of doing!!!!

And like you say that Blister review (and they're others out there) is quite something.
ski holidays
 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
spyderjon wrote:
The BMT109's you recently sold would have been ideal rolling eyes

My choice over the BMT109's and for a lot less £ would be the 191 Whitedot Director CarbonLite. Easy but great fun to ski. CarbonLite build has super low swing weight so when combined with flat underfoot & rocker both ends they pivot on a dime but will be as easy on the legs as your gonna get for of size you're after.


They are too similar to my Gotamas, and don't really have a lot of tip rocker and have a long turn radius - I want a shorter turn radius and a ski that is easy to smear, the BMT is not that. I don't know why but White Dot just don't do it for me - don't like the tip shape.


Last edited by Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do. on Wed 13-12-17 8:22; edited 1 time in total
latest report
 You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
Weathercam wrote:
@interpaul, I first "tested" the Atris March 2016 at the SIGB Test in Kuhtai.

I'm a wee bit smaller than you 5' 10" 3/4 and 78kg in ski gear - also have had ACL and both knees get a wee bit sore and I'm 59!


With my appetite now whetted I took the Black Crows Atris 184 at 108 out and what a fun, but capable ski managing the icy hard pack on the piste before dropping off down into the untracked glades between the trees. If I was not so much into touring this could well be the ski for me!


There was only one choice for me 184 Atris and I've mounted them with Diamir Tectons.

I've been out on them a fair bit already this season, charging on Groomers and knee deep powder plus a few tours - and whilst I'm typing this trying to work out where to tour on them this morning.

Charging on hard piste obviously I can feel my knee(s) powder and no issues - though breaking track in knee deep last week I did get some twinges!!

And like you say that Blister review (and they're others out there) is quite something.


Thanks, some questions:

1. Did you get your ACL reconstructed? I am still deciding whether to get it done, I wanted to ski first. I know people who have not had it done and they get on fine, also have a family member who has had reconstruction three times, and also had three failures - he now has no ACL and has given up on surgery - he had a total of 8 surgeries on the same knee and that puts me off
2. I can't decide on the 184 or 189. Black crows run short by about 2cm per ski so the 184 is 182cm and that seems a bit short to me. Do you find they ski short?
3. I bought Tectons, could put them on the Atris I suppose but would need to be the 184s I reckon.
snow conditions
 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
@interpaul, here you go my ACL blog of it all
http://www.anotherharddayattheoffice.co.uk/aclknee.html

I've gone 184 but I'm a couple of inches shorter than you.

If you have Tectons then go for the 184 slightly easier to tour on / kick turn.

We're going out 10:30 from home skin up piste (resort closed) and ski some safe lines - I'll be taking the Atris as I'm not with uber quick people

I'll post a photo later of my skins on them - will make you smile
snow report
 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
Hmmm.

I like the Atris a lot and think it's very fun, and it would seem like an ideal choice for what you're looking for.

However it DOES have tapered tips, and I'd put it in a similarly playful category to the Wailer and Soul 7 (definitely more guts than either of them, but far closer to them than to a Katana).

I wonder if the Blizzard Rustler 10 may be more up your street? I didn't find them soooo easy going, but then I'm only 70kg. Not sure if the 188 would be too long for your purposes though?

Faction Candide 3.0 could also be worth a look. Personally I think I prefer the Atris (it's close), but the Candide really doesn't have tip taper, and very light.

Head Kore 105 too. Again v light and a fair bit of taper (not so much rocker, but enough), but they still feel more tool than toy. My thoughts: http://www.fall-line.co.uk/head-kore-105-best-overall-freeride-ski-2018/

As an outside candidate, how about the Down CD104? http://www.downskis.com/shop/countdown-104-2017
snow report
 You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
I have the Atris in a 184. I have the 15/16 model, which is stiffer, has more tail rocker and more sidecut (18m vs 20m) than the 2017/18 model. The new version is reportedly more stable without giving up the nimbleness that characterises its predecessor.

I really like the 15/16 model and am 183 cm/80kg. I don't ski as much as I used to (kids) and am a lot slower and less aggressive now.

I think the Atris suits someone that wants an all mountain ski that is nimble, pivots quickly but will still be reasonably stable at speed in powder and cut up snow. It prefers to be driven laterally and does not respond well to a "drive the tips" ski style. It is also really good on piste, although the tip doesn't hook up and you really have to ski the sidecut underfoot. The ski expects to turn. It isn't a great choice for the point and shoot specialist.

This is going to be a massive change from the skis that you are used to. It isn't going to do 40mph through chop without deflecting. It also skis short. I would seriously consider the 189. I would also consider a 186 R.108, which will be closer to the Katana in how it skis but a lot easier going and also Jon's Volkl suggestion.
snow report
 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
clarky999 wrote:
Hmmm.

I like the Atris a lot and think it's very fun, and it would seem like an ideal choice for what you're looking for.

However it DOES have tapered tips, and I'd put it in a similarly playful category to the Wailer and Soul 7 (definitely more guts than either of them, but far closer to them than to a Katana).

I wonder if the Blizzard Rustler 10 may be more up your street? I didn't find them soooo easy going, but then I'm only 70kg. Not sure if the 188 would be too long for your purposes though?

Faction Candide 3.0 could also be worth a look. Personally I think I prefer the Atris (it's close), but the Candide really doesn't have tip taper, and very light.

Head Kore 105 too. Again v light and a fair bit of taper (not so much rocker, but enough), but they still feel more tool than toy. My thoughts: http://www.fall-line.co.uk/head-kore-105-best-overall-freeride-ski-2018/

As an outside candidate, how about the Down CD104? http://www.downskis.com/shop/countdown-104-2017


Thanks, I have considered the Downs and have skied them, they are stiff and too similar to what I already have though. I realise the Atris has a bit of tip taper but it is nothing like the Wailer, which incidentally I would rate as one of the worst skis I have set foot on. Laughing
ski holidays
 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
gorilla wrote:
I have the Atris in a 184. I have the 15/16 model, which is stiffer, has more tail rocker and more sidecut (18m vs 20m) than the 2017/18 model. The new version is reportedly more stable without giving up the nimbleness that characterises its predecessor.

I really like the 15/16 model and am 183 cm/80kg. I don't ski as much as I used to (kids) and am a lot slower and less aggressive now.

I think the Atris suits someone that wants an all mountain ski that is nimble, pivots quickly but will still be reasonably stable at speed in powder and cut up snow. It prefers to be driven laterally and does not respond well to a "drive the tips" ski style. It is also really good on piste, although the tip doesn't hook up and you really have to ski the sidecut underfoot. The ski expects to turn. It isn't a great choice for the point and shoot specialist.

This is going to be a massive change from the skis that you are used to. It isn't going to do 40mph through chop without deflecting. It also skis short. I would seriously consider the 189. I would also consider a 186 R.108, which will be closer to the Katana in how it skis but a lot easier going and also Jon's Volkl suggestion.


That's exactly it, I want a change from the type of ski I have been on for the last 5 years. Think you are right though, the 189 will do a better job.
ski holidays
 And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
@interpaul, in which case, go for it. It is a great ski.
snow conditions
 So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
interpaul wrote:


Thanks, I have considered the Downs and have skied them, they are stiff and too similar to what I already have though. I realise the Atris has a bit of tip taper but it is nothing like the Wailer, which incidentally I would rate as one of the worst skis I have set foot on. Laughing


Ha yeah the wailers are a bit weird... I've only had a few runs on them. First few on piste and chop I hated (hated!) them - then I got them into some (only about 10cm deep) untracked and was just 'ohh, now I get it.' That was the lighter weight construction though - would be a fun powder touring ski, but they just fold in resort conditions.

Bearing in mind your other posts above, I'd probably just go ahead with the Atris!
ski holidays
 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Anyone else mounted the Atris back a bit? Blister mentioned it skied better back 1.5 cm from recommended and could be driven harder. Also going with the 184 Atris (but with Beast 14s) this season @ 78kg and 5'11.
ski holidays
 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
@JackSkier, no, I found it fine on the line. Similar height and weight to you. I haven't managed to get the tips to dive yet. They are probably pushing it harder than me, though.
latest report
 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
That was feckin superb though breaking track in deep bottomless powder had the old heart rate going with the adrenalin pumping as route selection became more critical.

It was a playground made for the Atris - first in the forest above a summer village with loads of pillows then once out of the trees skiing the mellow terraces, could have been a fair ground ride Cool

This pic is of my skin on the Atris with no tail clip and the skin ending around 20cm short of the tail.



OH in action lower down and spot the Jacks Toofy Grin



Tiny vid enough to give you an idea of the terrain

http://youtube.com/v/TuJWwqR3fnA
snow report
 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
clarky999 wrote:


Faction Candide 3.0 could also be worth a look. Personally I think I prefer the Atris (it's close), but the Candide really doesn't have tip taper, and very light.



I hadn't considered these, they look a good option and with no tip taper sound even better and available in 186cm which is my ideal length. Thanks will do more research Very Happy
snow report



Terms and conditions  Privacy Policy