Ski Reviews

2022-2023 Black Crows Justis, 171 cm

Reviewer Username: Erinb

Reviewer Height: 5’8″

Reviewer Weight: 152 lbs

Reviewer Experience Level: Advanced

DAYS USED: 40 days

TEST LOCATIONS: Kicking horse, Lake Louise, Sunshine

TEST CONDITIONS: Pretty firm snow | Softer, but not deep snow | Untracked powder (shallow) | Soft chop / pretty forgiving cut-up snow | Firm, off-piste chop or crud

PERFORMANCE RATINGS

(0 = Terrible, 5 = Okay, 10 = Outstanding)

OVERALL IMPRESSION: 9/10

FORGIVENESS: 6/10

MANEUVERABILITY (How Loose / Easy to Pivot & Smear?): 8/10

MANEUVERABILITY (How Quick / Low is the Swing Weight?): 8/10

STABILITY: 8/10

SUSPENSION: 8/10

EDGE HOLD: 7/10

PLAYFULNESS: 7/10

SKI LENGTH: It felt just right (171 cm length tested)

THIS SKI’S IDEAL SNOW CONDITIONS: Pretty firm snow | Softer, but not deep snow | Untracked powder (shallow) | Soft chop / pretty forgiving cut-up snow | Firm, off-piste chop or crud

WHAT TYPE(S) OF SKIER DO YOU IMAGINE WILL GET ALONG BEST WITH THIS SKI?

Strong, advanced to expert skier who wants a strong all mountain ski for both on and off piste, skiing fast. This ski is a very interesting mix of strong ski that carves quite well for its width, combined with a rockered ski that skiis well off piste, especially through crud and firm conditions that lets you get drifty and pivots fast.. With the rocker, you get decent float in up to 25cm powder… I have wider/lighter skiis for soft conditions, but this ski I use when it’s mixed conditions, for damping and crud busting.

ARE THERE SIMILAR PRODUCTS YOU’VE SKIED THAT YOU CLEARLY PREFER? IF SO, WHY?

No, this is a great ski

PLEASE ELABORATE ON ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO SAY ABOUT THIS SKI. FEEL FREE TO GO INTO DETAIL!

I have compared the 171 vs 177, and I am 175 cm tall. The 177 definitely is a better carver for my height, with longer effective edge, excellent edge hold. But its more demanding off piste, eg skiing bumps, you really don’t want to get back seat. The 171 lacks the strength thru crud, but because it’s a bit shorter, is a bit less effort to pivot and turn fast in chutes/bumps. For skiing mostly off piste on trees etc, I would choose the 171. If I know I’m skiing more groomers, I would choose 177. I have compared this to blizzard bonafide 177. Bonafide is a bit more damped, but with much less rocker, harder to pivot and not as much float… I like the justis better for all mountain skiing. Have also skied blizzard Brahma, justis much more damped.