The Black Crows Navis Birdie is the second widest ski the Chamonix-based company produces specifically for women, with its 102mm underfoot beaten only by the Atris Birdie (107mm).
Given that the Navis Birdie is marketed squarely at the All Mountain crowd, it's not surprising that the ski is not great for carving due to its width.
But we found it was grippy enough to ski well on piste and handles a little more like a classic alpine ski on harder snow than some of the other skis in its class. Having said that, with a 19m radius this is not the ski to pick if you like to pump out those short turns.
But it is away from the groomed slopes that the Navis Birdie is at home, as it's easy to turn off piste and proved to be fairly light and responsive.
This playful nature is down to a very progressive front rocker that gives the ski plenty of float and allows you to flick the Navis Birdies from side to side in soft snow.
Black Crows have kept the weight down on the Navis Birdies thanks to ample use of poplar wood and fibreglass combined with a semi-cap construction, all covered with a trademark attractive design.
