Ski: 2024-2025 Black Crows Octo, 179.3 cm
Available Lengths: 167.2, 173.4, 179.3, 185.4 cm
Blister’s Measured Tip-to-Tail Length (straight-tape pull): 178.1 cm
Stated Weight per Ski (179.3 cm): 1675 grams
Blister’s Measured Weight per Ski (179.3 cm): 1724 & 1749 grams
Stated Dimensions: 130-84-117 mm
Blister’s Measured Dimensions: 130-83-115.5 mm
Stated Sidecut Radius (179.3 cm): 14 meters
Measured Tip & Tail Splay (ski decambered): 38.5 mm / 8 mm
Measured Traditional Camber Underfoot: 10.5 mm
Core Materials: poplar + fiberglass laminate
Base Material: sintered
Factory Recommended Mount Point: -7.5 cm from center / 81.6 cm from tail
[Editor’s Note: Our “First Looks” are our way of getting you information sooner on some of the products we’re reviewing, including our measured specs and the details from the manufacturer. Once we’ve started testing a given product, we detail our on-snow impressions in our Flash Reviews and our annual Winter Buyer’s Guide. When we’re able to spend extensive time testing a given product, we publish our in-depth Full Reviews and Deep Dive comparisons.]
What Black Crows says about the Octo
“Sharp and wild yet light and comfortable, the new Octo is designed to satisfy alpine skiing aesthetes. Carving purists will find an engaging and high-performing corduroy eater. While its short radius and sporty flex may evoke a slalom ski, the light oversteer provided by the combination of tapered tips and rocker allows you to change the rhythm and shape of your turns on demand, smoothly transitioning from short to medium-range turns—or even skids if that's your preference. The construction, which combines poplar wood and fiberglass, gives the Octo a solid and confidence-inspiring feel while remaining light and agile underfoot. This sensation is further enhanced by its 84mm width, facilitating swift edge-to-edge transitions.”
More About the Octo:
For more details on the new Octo (and other skis in Black Crows’ 24/25 lineup), check out our GEAR:30 Podcast episode 303 with Camille Jaccoux, co-founder of Black Crows Skis.
Flex Pattern
Here’s how we’d characterize the flex pattern of the Octo:
Tips: 8
Shovels: 8
In Front of Toe Piece: 8-9.5
Underfoot: 10
Behind the Heel Piece: 9.5-8
Tails: 7.5-8
Although no individual section of this ski is particularly soft, the ski as a whole is pretty soft.
Get More Info: Our Flash Reviews & Winter Buyer’s Guide
BLISTER+ members and those who purchase our Digital Access Pass can check out the Flash Review below to read our initial on-snow impressions. Don’t have access? Get our Digital Access Pass to read all of our Flash Reviews and Deep Dive comparisons. Or, even better, become a BLISTER+ member to get that + the best worldwide Outdoor Injury Insurance, exclusive deals and discounts on skis, personalized gear recommendations from us, access to our annual Winter Buyer’s Guide, and much more.
On that note, you can also get our thoughts on 300+ skis in our 2024-2025 Blister Winter Buyer’s Guide. BLISTER+ members already have access, or you can purchase the guide on its own to get the the print copy + digital version at no extra cost, or the digital-only edition.
Flash Review: 24/25 Black Crows Octo
Update 12.2.24: Luke Koppa adds his thoughts on the new Black Crows Octo after spending some of his first days of the season aboard it.
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2024-2025 Blister Digital Winter Buyer’s Guide
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