Last tested
2024
Status:ongoing
2025

Orb Freebird

A benchmark for its category, for those who want to ski in all conditions and aren't concerned with weight in ascent
In brief
Suitable for
a one-ski quiver for the backcountry
Not suitable for
complete beginners, epic powder
Also suitable for
classic tourers looking for a cool ski
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  • Buyer’s Guide reviews
  • In words
  • Technical specifications

Buyer’s Guide reviews

Positioning
Handling
Traditional ski-tourer
Suggested curve arc
Medium radius
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On-snow performance
Hard / packed
Powder
Wind-blown / crust
Damp / wet
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The charts show our impressions from testing
Product info
Category average
Trip purpose
Height difference / Engagement
Performance / Line
Skiing / Slope
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Recommended use
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Recommended level
Technical Level
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
High level
Weight
lightmedianheavy
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In words

Intro
Three years on from its debut, we keep featuring it in the Buyer's Guide as it is still one of the most well-balanced skis for modern ski touring. Weighing in at around 1,450 g (a little shy of 3.2 lbs.) in the medium lengths it's at the upper end of the category, but where Black Crows' extensive collection is concerned, after having tested it in the tour category last year, we think the time has come to move it to be with the other downhill-friendly Light skis, below the Camox but above the Ova and Mentis. And it's not the only ski in this weight range that you'll find in the Light category.
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On the snow
Smooth and versatile. Two adjectives that best describe a ski that remains one of the best on the market season after season. Precise and stable on compact terrain, it holds up on powder—which it wasn't built for, considering its 90 mm underfoot—but where it copes well on small-to-medium turns. Unfazed by steep slopes, thanks to the shallow rocker and comfortable sidecut, it's well balanced in ascent and during kick turns. It instills tons of confidence in skiers with good technique, but being easily manageable, it also helps those with a little less experience. It can take on virtually anything, a candidate for a one-ski quiver if you're not looking for float on epic big mountain powder runs. From long missions to haute routes, couloirs, backcountry and even groomers. It'll take you anywhere, nothing fazes it.
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Lab
Almost flat, close to perfect after ten passes through the machine. Little wax and no structure. Reasonably good edges 1.4 x 2.3 mm at 89°. Reasonable finish, the width of the edges is a little tight. With structure and wax it's ready for the snow, the tip and tail need a little detuning.
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Technical specifications

Construction
cap-sidewall
Materials
paulownia, glass fiber, carbon fiber, titanal
Base
sintered UHMWPE
Available sizes
155.2, 161.1, 167.2, 173.1, 179.3, 184.1
Released in
2022
Made in
Bulgaria
Price
759 €
Declared specsMeasured by us
We measured the length 173.1 to get all the details
173,1 cm
Length
XXXXX
126 cm
Tip width
XXXXX
111 cm
Tail width
XXXXX
90 cm
Waist width
XXXXX
N/A
Edge contact
XXXXX
N/A
Camber
XXXXX
N/A
Tip rocker
XXXXX
N/A
Tail rocker
XXXXX
1.400 g
Individual weight
XXXXX
N/A
Left weight
XXXXX
N/A
Right weight
XXXXX
18 m
Sidecut radius
XXXXX
N/A
Load-bearing surface
XXXXX
N/A
Tip torsion
XXXXX
N/A
Center torsion
XXXXX
N/A
Tail torsion
XXXXX
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