The Black Crows Powder Hunter Ski Collection Lives Up to Its Name

Japan's northern most island of Hokkaido is reporting its highest snowfall levels in 60 years, and my home resort of Whistler has had an excellent start to the season. As anticipation for deep snow and future powder days builds across the globe, French ski brand Black Crows has just dropped a rare capsule celebrating the deepest days. The Powder Hunter collection, available today 8 January 2025, includes limited-edition iterations of the brand’s Nocta skis, Oxus poles, and Dorsa 22 backpack in an ultra-clean chevron design that embodies a snowstorm aesthetic.

Before we dig into the new collection, a quick backstory on the famed French outfitter. Black Crows—named for the Alpine Chough, one of the few birds that can fly at an altitude of over 4,000 meters—was founded by two hardcore, established skiers with very different personalities, and is known for top performance and minimalist graphics. The duality informs all products they release.

Camille Jaccoux is a former mogul skier turned pro freerider with a love for design. Jaccoux has always had a keen eye for design and fashion and is responsible for the very specific look of Black Crows skis (and its edgy marketing). Rumor has it he lives between London and Chamonix and drives a pink sport coupé.

On the other hand, Bruno Compagnet, a textbook dreadlock-toting ski bum, lives in a secluded house deep in the Pyrénées and spends his time ski-touring, surfing, riding vintage bicycles, and driving a beat-up SUV. This weird and magical combination is what gives Black Crows its unique niche.

I’ve personally skied on Black Crows for years and can attest the brand is dedicated to creating “obsessively design-driven products that are uncompromising in performance.” I appreciate that the brand’s collection for women, named “The Birdies” uses the exact same shape, weight, and dimension of ski as the one for men. The only difference is the topsheet, illustrating that everyone wants a strong, stable ski that can handle the signature steep, deep terrain that Chamonix is known for. That, and the signature Black Crows mottos hidden on parts of the ski. My trusty Atris has “there is no more toilet paper” on the edges. Cheeky.

With the Powder Hunter collection inspired by those adventurous skiers that track storm cycles and chase powder around the globe, the story of the collections unique graphics is equally tied to legendary snowfall. Celeste Pomerantz, who has been a Black Crows athlete for four years, tells me the inspiration for the pattern was inspired by the massive snowstorm that hit California a few years ago with 12 feet of snow in one go. “They turned that storm into a series of chevrons, which is the Black Crows symbol,” she said. “Honestly, it inspired me so much that I had this wild fever dream about a film idea for the release video. It sparked this creative idea about a global snowstorm—a fictional world where the entire planet is covered in snow.”

Aesthetics aside, the 122 mm Nocta ski itself is pretty nice, with double rocker and gentle camber underfoot. “It’s built for powder days,” says Pomerantz. “You’d expect them to feel massive, but they’re surprisingly playful and surfy, thanks to the rocker profile. They’re not overly heavy either, which makes them a solid option for backcountry touring on deep snow days. The white and grey chevrons on the top sheet are a direct nod to that storm in California, just reimagined in a really clean and modern way.”

The collection is now available from Black Crows and Backcountry. Details below.

Nocta Powder Hunter Ski, $1,199: The legendary big mountain ski that is built to float effortlessly in soft snow. With a 122 mm waist width, double rocker, and gentle camber underfoot, the Nocta offers stability and balance at all speeds. Designed for deep powder skiing, it embodies the spirit of the hunt. I just packed mine for Japow, and can’t wait to test them out.

Oxus Powder Hunter Poles, $130: This limited-edition Oxus pole is a faithful companion for ambitious descents, long tours, or tree-lined pillow missions. Featuring a long handle for a customized grip, a harness-inspired strap, and a flexible basket for varied terrain, the Oxus is a key piece to skiing deep snow and the powder hunter collection.

Powder Hunter Dorsa 22 X-Pac Backpack, $240: The Dorsa 22 is engineered for the perfect storm. Constructed with X-Pac fabric for durability, it features a compact and snug-fitting design. The backpack includes a dedicated front pocket for shovel and probe, a full U-shaped opening for easy access to the main compartment, and concealed technical accessories, making it an essential tool for powder adventures.