BLACK CROWS

Black Crows: a brief biography

Few names resonate the concept of pro skiing like Chamonix. Nestled in the shadow of the giant Mt Blanc Massif, Chamonix has been home to some of the greatest skiers in history. Two of these, Camille Jaccoux and Bruno Compagnet, joined forces with designer Christophe Vellemin to launch Black Crows. Their mission statement is simple: Black Crows is dedicated to “the unadulterated pursuit of pleasure and absolute freedom�. Hitting the slopes for the first time in 2006, Black Crows is a true child of the Alps. Aimed to meet the unique demands of high-altitude skiing, Black Crows is known for its ski-touring Freebird kit, its women's Birdie range, and its Corpus outerwear apparel. Black Crows doesn't pitch itself against competitors. Rather, it single-mindedly pursues its own agenda of unlocking the power of the ski.

The Gear

Bruno Compagnet is one of the most prolific pro-skiers in Europe, and is a recognised trailblazer of the freeskiing style. Notable for his mystique, low profile, and almost mythical status amongst the Alpine elite, Compagnet has a reputation for being streets ahead of the crowd. It is this almost spiritual approach to skiing that the Black Crows brand embodies. These are skis designed for anarchists who want to explore every crevice of the imposing Mt Blanc range. From the chiasmic Glacier Ronde to the towering 3,842m peak of the Aiguille du Midi, this is terrain that demands something special from skiers and their kit alike. Enter the Corvus, designed to master deep snow whilst neatly performing spritely turns around treacherous Glacial crevasses.

Apparel and Accessories

These are skis designed with performance, beauty, and elegance in mind. Unsurprisingly, they rapidly became the darlings of the Alpine elite, scooping multiple international awards. Forming multiple unorthodox partnerships with anyone who embodies the spirit of independence and dedication to performance, Black Crows continues to branch out into clothing and accessories. Ski bags, poles, beanies, mittens, jackets, pants, and climbing skins are all contributing towards creating a brand that caters for every need. Conceptualised in the shadow of a mountain whose weather systems can turn in an instant, the kit focuses upon keeping the snow out and the warmth in. Gore-Tex technology and Merino wool insulation combine with supple nylon to enable superior flexibility.