Design Spotlight: Black Crows

While pristine and picturesque, Chamonix is known as one of the most desirable and hard-core places to ski anywhere in the world. Chock-full of expert terrain both in and out of bounds, it's a mecca for those looking to explore wild and diverse terrain while pushing their limits on skis. So it should come as no surprise that Chamonix would be the birthplace of a company also seeking to push the limits of what's possible in ski construction.

Black Crows was started by professional skiers Camille Jaccoux and Bruno Compagnet in 2006 out of a desire to create a freeride ski they didn't feel existed in the marketplace, something both attractive and efficient. Their vision was for a powder ski that could tackle high-speed turns while also changing direction at a moment's notice. They accomplished that with the Corvus, Black Crows' first model, a large ski that could handle deep powder as deftly as it could whip around a tight turn—it was big, sturdy, and easy to maneuver. Eighty-three models later, Black Crows now makes men's and women's resort, all-terrain, big mountain, touring, and youth collections, all recognizable for their signature graphics and bold color-blocking.

While shooting in Chamonix, we saw countless pairs of Black Crows descending into the challenging terrain, piquing our interest in the brand. As a company focused on design, Black Crows' dedication to thoughtful construction and strong aesthetics spoke to us. Head to Black Crows' site to check out their men's and women's collections. Below, some photos of Black Crows' freeskiers in the Alps.