The HOTTEST Ski Of NEXT YEAR: Black Crows Octo (2025)

Elliott Reviews The Black Crows Octo for 2025 in a 179.3 with a 14 meter turn radius, the best carving ski.
Music By SAFAKASH- First Kiss
Black Crows Mirus Cor to buy with Affiliate Link: www.avantlink.com/click.php?t...
0:00 On Snow
1:37 Build and Specs
6:45 The Good
10:50 Compared to the Mirus Cor
11:26 The Bad
13:39 Score
16:35 Up Close On Snow

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Big Shout Out To Black Crows For sending me the Octo! They don't pay me, but they have been phenomenal to work with. Thanks for watching everyone!

[@simonorr594]

Yeah, Chamonix, 9000 vertical feet!

[@DCU88]

@@simonorr594 "before long being scared was fun"

[@jonstubb7893]

Big Energy from Elliott! Black Crows has you on speed dial now, this is so awesome! Great company, they really do a nice job with their shaping, construction etc. Not my flavor of ski but can totally see why you love it and appreciate your enthusiasm for this new carver! Im an Atris owner/fan btw

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Oh awesome! The Atris really pushed my skiing when I was on them, great skis.

[@lauhanwai]

Awesome! Def on my radar now

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Same, I think it's gonna be a big hit.

[@patohara175]

Great review as always man! Never seen you so excited to review a ski, this is great! 😎🤙🏼

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Thanks!

[@lecunfe]

Great reviews as always!

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Thanks, I appreciate that!

[@jackieonassis7438]

Elliott does it again! Finds all the skis I need to buy and weeds out the trash. I have the Serpo and love it. I rode the Mirus Cor and the Atris and loved both. My wife loves the Camox. I have been thinking about buying the divus or the Orb for something a little more serious/fast. I don't know, maybe we just need to buy the whole BC line up because they rock.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Yeah and these were no exception, I was very sad putting these in a box and shipping them back.

[@StartCodonUST]

So glad that Black Crows is looking to expand on the Mirus Cor approach to ski design! I was thinking if they could dial back the weirdness of the Mirus Cor, that would have been an awesome ski, and it sounds like this is it. I'm a carving skier first, so this is a very exciting direction. I'm hoping it'll retain a good amount of the playfulness that the Mirus Cor has, but I love the idea of a Mirus Cor that I can drive more aggressively. I thought a mid-width ski I might want to add to my quiver would be something like the Stockli Montero AX, which I also had a blast skiing on, even in softer and choppy, icy, poor snow conditions. That ski was such a stable ripper that could handle anything. The Octo is making me reconsider yet again. My one reservation would probably be that the lack of metal, which I fear would make crusty/choppy/man-made snow or firm spring conditions just as unpleasant to ski as my Blizzard Thunderbirds, while something like the Montero would be stable and smooth enough to make a day on the hill in poor conditions still worth the ticket price. That's one of the gaps in my quiver I'm also looking to fill, but I suppose I'd rather take good slush/soft snow frontside performance over good performance on terrible snow, haha. Either way, really hoping my local shop which carried the Mirus Cor demo will consider offering an Octo demo next season. At 84 underfoot, this sounds like a no-brainer for any serious Midwest ski shop to carry.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Same, like I didn't need a freestyle ski and just wanted performance and this ski totally delivers on that.

[@bearclaw5115]

The thing that makes the Mirus Cor so fun is it's unique ability to blend carving performance and freestyle capability. It's also pretty good in powder and trees. This Octo appears to give up that versatility for more carving performance. I'm sure I'd love it but the Mirus Cor's are great for getting up to just about anything.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

I think for people who want the fun of the Mirus Cor, but want a better platform in the tails and a ski that's more stable at speed (and don't care so much about freestyle) this is an awesome option!

[@foaly8]

I demoed the Mirus Cor this season. I thought it was absolutely terrible, an edgeless plastic spoon. It got better as the snow got softer, but up high where it was a bit icy the ski was a disaster. What do you like about it?

[@alainbrouillaud484]

Hi Elliott 😊 Awesome that Black Crows let you test the “Octo”. I am on my way to the Jungfrau Ski Region - Mürren, Schilthorn, Wengen, Kleine Scheidegg, Männlichen & Grindelwald. 5 days of snow and clouds… no sun at all! “Aussie Skier” called the “Octo” an intermediate ski… I sense some “Snark” coming this summer 😊 I’m glad to hear that you can go fast with this ski. I loved the Mirus Cor… that being said I am excited that you can let the ski go. Julien Reginer sure knows what the hell he is doing 😊⛷️

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Yeah this is such a cool design!

[@FoofyNoo]

Another amazing review Elliott! Thank you! I have the Mirus Cors and Stockli SR102s which seem to complement each other really well. Stocklis smooth and stable, Mirus Cors quick turning insane fun. The Octo seems to be a less mad version of the Mirus which makes it much more of a sensible one ski all mountain quiver. The Mirus Cor makes much more sense as part of a multi-quiver as it's crazy fun qualities bring associated drawbacks.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Totally, I think it will be a big hit! I love these skis

[@Jarequis2]

Yes! More 80mm ski reviews please! Would love to see a review on the Maverick 86c, blaze 86 and the stance 84.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

man I wish, there aren't any locally though

[@janbrittenson210]

I'd love to see a comparison to the BC Vertis since those are starting to go on sale in the $550-$575 range... (It's what seems to be suggested as a carving ski, know nothing about them.) Kudos to BC for getting these into your hands! Super interesting ski.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Also for everyone who has been asking to see what I ski like you can see it here at: 0:33

[@kamilex93]

Hi Elliott! If you like short radius turn skis with 80-90 underfoot you will like Dynastar M-Cross 88. I've got 176cm @14m and I love it. This ski was phenomenal throughout the past year.

[@Lawrence-vc3ul]

Great review ! Got the mirus cor. Mirus cor lays down amazing carved turns at slow to moderate speeds, they are a rush ! Can hardly wait to to rail some turns on the octo.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Totally agree!

[@Lawrence-vc3ul]

Mirus cor you can get your hip very close to the snow and rail rail rail some turns. If octo is a little better , I'm in !

[@davidhudson7400]

Great video, good to see you're finally getting recognition from ski companies! Do they let you keep them?

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Some do some don't, for Black crows I send them back

[@alainbrouillaud484]

The “Octo” will sell very well in Europe for sure 😆⛷

[@Rickeywinterborn]

"To-DAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!" Love the energy :D

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Haha

[@GarethDix]

This sounds amazing. I got to try the mirus cor last weekend and as much as I liked them… it felt a little lazy when it came to carving as in I was missing the launch into the next turn… so if these fix that I can’t wait to try them

[@RicketySkiReviews]

I prefer these quite alot

[@yueguo1732]

Thanks for the great review! Any plan to try the Black Crows Justis?

[@darinsmith2458]

I like it when you spend a couple days on a pair of skis..

[@ricksands9810]

Hi Elliott, great review! I have a race background and would like to know how it does in Mogul. I probably spend 30% of my time on Mogul 10 to 15% in trees and the rest of the time on groomers. What do you think this or the Maverick88 TI?

[@doppster1]

Sounds like a fun ski! Thanks for the review.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Thanks for watching and being part of the community!

[@user-nr9gh8zv3h]

Hi Elliott, Thanks for the great reviews. I demoed the Serpo this year and loved it. How does would you compare and contrast it with the Octopus. I’m 5’8 167 pounds advanced skier who skis mostly Colorado. Looking for something that won’t exhaust me over the course of a first to last chair day. I’m on groomers about 80%, some trees, not much time in the bumps. Want to be able to handle some powder days. Thanks.

[@kikorras]

As usual, great really interesting review. how do these compare with other skis like the Black Crows Vertis (similar width?)

[@fredericouimet4851]

Hi! Great review! I ski in Quebec on Rossignol Hero Elite Short Turn skis and I love them for carving. I've never done bumps or glades, but my kids keep pushing me to follow them, which is a challenge with my Heroes. Do you think the Octos could give me the same carving sensations while allowing me to do bumps and glades? (There is no powder in Quebec glades, basically bumps with trees). Would the mirus cor be a better fit? Thank you!

[@Sep45]

Looking forward to your thoughts on the new Blizzard Anomaly series when you get your hands on them.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Would love to test them if Blizzard is willing

[@arranw]

Thanks for the review! I ski in Utah and only have one pair of skis - the QST 92. Would you recommend getting the Octo specifically for carving and use the QST 92 more for off piste? Thank you so much!

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Yeah that makes sense, you may eventually want to grab yourself some 105+powder skis down the road.

[@RandyKass]

love your energy and depth of reviews. i tried mirus cor and had trouble getting the feel of them. lot of turn initiation i wasnt looking for and just felt awkward. it was super sticky soft snow so maybe that was my problem. i ski on Stockli SR 88 and love everything about them except for extreme dampness, miss getting pop feeling from coming out of turn. i am 5' 9"" and weigh 188, ski 175 length on SR 88. am advanced/expert. looking for fun of mirus cor where you can feel the energy on the last part of the turn. i mostly cruise and want to have fun while turning but not have to turn every 3 feet. mostly frontside and based on your review the Octo seems like the bc ski for me. my question is what size. my instinct is telling me 173 based on you skiing 179 and you are over 6 feet. i ski mostly in VT/ME. what size would you recommend? i know the mirus cor said to ski longer. what about the Octo? is 173 right size for me or would you recommend 179?

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Either length should be fine i have a whole video on sizing you might enjoy. I felt similarly about the mirus cor and liked these alot. You may also consider testing the Atomic Mavericks if you haven't already.

[@markphan5835]

This Ski ………. 😁

[@Titantickler]

Do you know when they come out and what binding s would be the best for them at an affordable price?

[@RicketySkiReviews]

I think it just depends on preference, but I personally love the Look SPX 12 for both their value and performance, but your mileage may vary.

[@spacebrainer]

Being such a carving enthousiast, I wonder why you don't review more (if any?) dedicated frontside carvers around 70mm width? For example the Stockli Laser series or the Atomic Redster S/X/G 9 ski's (the Q9 you reviewed sucks for carving in comparison in my humble opinion),... Are they just hard to find in the powdery West Coast area? Here in Europe they are EVERYWHERE. Since we are talking about carving, I'd love to see you try and hear your unbiased opinion about the Carv insoles/app. Would be a unique style of video compared to your ski reviews. Anyway, nice review, this ski will definitely be added to my shortlist!

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Yeah exactly, just hard to get my hands on, the local shops primarily carry powder and all mountain skis. Black Crows, Head, Peak, and Meier all ship their skis directly to me which is how I can make those ski reviews happen

[@leedouthitt]

Great review. How would you feel about this ski as a daily driver in New Hampshire? It sounds like a great carver, but how do you see it handling New England icy conditions? Additionally, how is it in the bumps? Thanks!

[@RicketySkiReviews]

I would have no issue with it, I think the short turn radius lends itself well to the VT and NH (I grew up skiing Burke and sometimes Loon)

[@gabrielmarias972]

Hi! For someone dont have a kind of slalom 70-75mm on piste ski, but will like carving like with them, also short radius on piste ski ,good grip, but more polyvalent that can handdle also some fresh snow off piste ..Octo or Mirrus? I like fun skis, like small jumps and ski reverse time to time (not snowpark guy) So not sure if Octo its the best choice? For my 173cm 75k what lenght will recomend me? Thanks again

[@VTGGE]

Did you get a chance to test the Line Blade? Wondering how the Octo fares in comparison. I love my Mirus Cor as "resort ski" when cruising at low/medium speed on blue runs with the kid. Would love to see how the Octo feels in comparison.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

No, unfortunately no Lines available for demo near me, and they didn't reply to my emails.

[@raeffity]

Thanks for the review elliot. I think the Salomon addikt pro 76 would be a cheaper alternative. For me, the punch out of the turn is important in a ski. Have you been able to ski the Addikt pro? It would be interesting to know who has the harder punch. 🥊

[@Kdolph77]

Great review! Do you have any ski recommendations for something similar to the Octo, but not as expensive?

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Check out my reviews of the Atomic Maverick 88 Ti and The Salomon QST 92, both much more budget friendly and great performances, they're nowhere near that short of a radius but still perform well. Volkl Kendo 88 also is a very good ski but just very very different.

[@erichedford6394]

Wish BC’s were less expensive. 😢 But I want!! 😍

[@RicketySkiReviews]

This time of year they typically go on sale, though they sell quick

[@thisoledad1946]

Dude how many red bulls did you have before you recorded

[@mbtravel7294]

He's very passionate about skis

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Haha zero, I was just really excited about this video

[@toodddddd]

@@RicketySkiReviews Made me want to buy these and Im not a carving guy

[@mcleanirish]

The Volkl Kendo 88s aren't going away they're just being re-named the Mantra 88s to keep the fleet more uniform so to speak. But, the Mantra 96s and above have build updates for 2025 having a "4D" turning radius - an extra radius added in the tips. At the same time the "Mantra 88" for 2025 will be identical to the build of the 2024 Kendo 88 (just a different topsheet).

[@RicketySkiReviews]

oh good insight ty

[@55mblindy]

😮

[@SriLankan22]

How does this compare to the newer Rustlers 9/10?

[@Poksutin]

how easy is it to initiate the turn? hows the edgegrip on icyer conditions? my bonafides requires quite alot of speed to activate the skis.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Turn Initiation is super easy and quick thanks to that kind of square tip. Edge grip was good as well.

[@davidfinch9]

This is going to kill me if I should have waited for this over picking up some on-sale Serpos. Every season I have an idea for the next one and it’s usually about 50% on target. I suppose I can live with that 😂

[@55mblindy]

😂

[@ozmorphasis]

Wonder how this compares to the Serpo. Any chance you will be testing and reviewing that ski?

[@user-ho5hy8ih6u]

Thanks Elliott. I am looking to buy a new pair of skis for next season. For me it boils down to a shootout between those Octo and the new Rossignol Arcade 84. Can you review the Arcade please? Would like to hear your opinion. Cheers

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Don't have access to the Arcades unfortunately but will keep an eye out.

[@twifosp1]

Hey Elliot did you happen to take these in the moguls? One of my biggest complaints with the mirus cors they would almost trampoline you between bumps. Curious what your experience was with the octo

[@RicketySkiReviews]

I'm not much of a mogul skier, so hard for me to provide valuable insight, but I took them in the trees/ glades and had fun.

[@szuber42]

Soft snow how’s it on ice

[@lassivaatamoinen5468]

@3:50 In essence, it is a very different ski than Mirus Cor, so I think you shouldn't draw quick conclusions just based on the tip and tail shape. - Octo has almost a flat tail, Mirus Cor is more of a twin-tip - Octo has a more traditional mount point of -8.5cm, Mirus Cor mounts at -3.5cm - Octo does not have metal underfoot (none whatsoever, apart from the metal insert at the tail), Mirus Cor has a metal plate under the binding zone. So, quite a bit of differences. Im just thinking, how is the edge hold on more hardpack / icy conditions.

[@Ceemysix]

How did it do in the bumps?

[@amateurstanding]

Kendo is now known as the Mantra 88

[@RicketySkiReviews]

oh interesting!

[@lechfor22]

Hi Elliott, thanks for a great review. QQ about the length. Did you find them (179cm) right for your height? I am 5′ 10″ (155 lbs) and my local dealer said I should be looking at 173cm as Octo "skies shorter" than Mirus Cor. FYI my Mantra's are 177.

[@mpnoto]

I like the ripsticks 88, i don’t like Maverick 88 because i feel like the tail is to stiff, it shoots me out of a turn if i happen to be in the back seat. Do you think i’d like the octo?

[@mpnoto]

How do i become a member?

[@RicketySkiReviews]

yeah probably! it's definitely more carving oriented. Memberships are just on the channel page, so hit the logo and it will be in the corner with a "join" button.

[@sleuth2077]

In your opinion, what is a really stable lightweight ski that skis well at intermediate speeds, but can still handle higher speeds without getting too fluttery and would be mostly for frontside skiing?

[@RicketySkiReviews]

This one is amazing, salomon qst 92, and my favorite is the atomic maverick 88ti

[@foaly8]

What would be the reason to pick this over an actual carving ski, like an SL or GS ski?

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Versatility, race skis are pretty limited bc of their width and weight, also ease of use etc

[@foaly8]

⁠@@RicketySkiReviewsVersatility in what respect? My SL skis still ski phenomenally in 10-15cm crud. anything more than that and I’m going for 90 or 100+ under foot. I tried the Mirus Cor actually and thought it was terrible on hard snow, and didn’t understand why anyone would buy that as a groomer ski…

[@ml71tube]

How tall are you?

[@acecharlie229]

Would love if you could get ahold of dps

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Would love to work with them, but they passed on me when I reached out last time, but maybe next year, the channel is definitely growing. If you reach out to them and let them know how you feel, they're typically more responsive to customers in my experience.

[@justinweldon3575]

Do you ever notice that when carving your inside ski is not matching your downhill ski and it is creating a reverse snow plow.. obviously you have tons of skiing experience but I think if you worked on being more active with your inside ski your skiing would look a little prettier and smoother.. thank you for all the great content you put out, keep it coming!!

[@johnklaus9111]

He's foot pedaling. It's a tough habit to break. Comically, the problem is TOO MUCH foot action, not too little.

[@justinweldon3575]

@@johnklaus9111 “more active” as in to correct the problem

[@juryacquittal]

Time to sell the Maverick 88s?? Just use your QST 106s when there is fresh snow, right?

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Haha, I still love my Mavericks a ton but these are the first time I've ever found something that competed and even out performed the maverick in certain areas.

[@juryacquittal]

I am curious if you will have the same thoughts about the Unleashed 98. Hopefully you can try that ski in the 180cm length@@RicketySkiReviews

[@exothermal.sprocket]

I prefer pointy-toed western boots. I don't like square toes. Probably why I think the ski is aesthetically goofy.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

It threw me off at first too, but I grew to really love it actually

[@andrik959]

Nice price 1350$

[@bearclaw5115]

That's the price in Australia. Likely same price as Mirus Cor here.

[@bikedude019]

Im not a big fan of Black Crows as they are not stiff enough.

[@user-tp5el6kp1r]

Keep your knees together!

[@alainbrouillaud484]

Hi Elliott 😊 Would you be so kind and show us the “Octo” on your Super-G run? You have spoken quite a bit about the Super-G run… what is the name of the run? I hope you don’t find this request burdensome 😊⛷

[@RicketySkiReviews]

I'm not sure if I have any of the footage still, but the run is called Paradise at Bogus Basin. When I worked with the race program we hosted a Super G event on it yearly for U18s, it's very fast top to bottom (though when it's open to public you have to check those blind spots).

[@RicketySkiReviews]

The trail you see me skiing these is still a GS run, it looks like the SG run didn't make it in (but I did take it there and surprisingly it didn't get that same speed wobble as the Mirus Cor), You can see the run I took them on here in my Kendo Review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXmUgnuhqdd4fsksi=ertSxCIsZDHd3IJe&t=30

[@alainbrouillaud484]

@@RicketySkiReviews… Groovy… I will check it out ⛷