Tails: Corvus vs. Atris
One thing that the Corvus does phenomenally well is provide a lot of support in the tail in steep, tight places, but it is also easy to break the tails free and scrub speed in tight, steep places — such as when rocketing out of the choke of a narrow chute. If you’re willing to commit to the line and not pussyfoot your way down it, then the Corvus’ tails provide the skier with enough support to push back off and get into the next turn.
On the other hand, my experience with the Atris is that such maneuvers would lead to the tail washing out, and me sitting on the snow instead of realigning the turn. I imagine that a more balanced skier would not have these problems, but to me, the tails of the Atris make it better suited for open, smooth lines, not the choked-out chutes where the Corvus has proven to be so capable.
Corvus vs. Atris: How Forgiving / How Demanding?
These two skis ask very different things from their riders. The Corvus will not tolerate lazy skiing; it needs to be driven hard at all times, and will reward you with predictability and stability at high speeds.
The Atris, on the other hand, will allow you to slack off a bit. Its strong platform underfoot still produces a good bit of stability, but its softer tips and tails make it easier to initiate turns, even when you’re not in a forward, textbook driving position.
Top End & Low End: Atris vs. Corvus
For high-speed performance, both skis are strong underfoot, and that makes for a good bit of stability. But the shape and flex pattern of the Corvus make it better suited for all-out assaults on steep, technical lines, and you give up low-end performance to achieve that — the stiffer, wider-radius Corvus will not carve turns as tightly at lower speeds.
This isn’t to say that the Atris is a slouch at high speeds, but if I am going full speed into crud, the Corvus is the prefered vehicle. (But the Atris still isn’t too far behind. More on this below.)
Groomers
Given its tighter sidecut radius, softer tips and shovels (that are easy to bend), and energetic tails, I’d say that the Atris makes groomers more fun. It’s still plenty strong underfoot, and it exhibits great edge hold to allow you to really lay them over.
The Corvus can be plenty of fun on groomers, too, but it requires more input at faster speed to bend the skis. If / when you do that, however, it’s a fun ski for making powerful GS turns.
Powder
Advantage: Atris.
With its softer tips and tails, the Atris planes remarkably well (Jonathan wrote about this in his review) and its tails permit a fun, surfy ride. But the Atris also is happy to make a range of turn shapes ranging from fast GS turns, to shorter, bouncier turns.
Conversely, the Corvus performs in pow a lot like it does everywhere else: it needs higher speeds, and it likes more open terrain. You can milk lots of tight turns from the Corvus, but that simply isn’t where the ski feels most at home.
Variable Conditions: Atris vs. Corvus
I’ve skied the Atris and the Corvus in re-frozen chop, breakable crust and death cookie conditions.
In re-frozen chop that was pretty teeth-rattling bad, I found the Atris’ edge grip underfoot combines with its softer tail to make it more forgiving in conditions that make you question whether you like to ski at all. Its softer tips forced me to have to ski breakable crust with a more “bouncy” technique in order to take advantage of the energy this ski provides in the turn before the tip would just hook up in the crust.
And for less-than-perfect conditions (in everything other than pristine, breakable crust) I’d have to give the edge to the Atris.
While the Corvus easily slices through breakable crust, the fact that they need some speed to work makes re-frozen conditions more than a little scary. They need to be skied aggressively, and as I said in the full review of the Corvus, if you aren’t forward and driving this ski, it can lock you onto an edge in the backseat that’s difficult to recover from. And neither scenario — being aggressive in re-frozen conditions or getting stuck in the back seat is attractive — but if you feel you can attack in those situations, then the beefier Corvus will drive through more obstacles that the Atris
Bottom Line
In the end, if you are a skier who wants to charge every line and who seeks out the rockier folds of a bowl, I’d recommend the Corvus. It does better in those narrow, high-speed chokes, and in cleanly stomping bigger airs.
But if you are looking for a fun, energetic ski that can still be pushed pretty hard, but that will also work well when you want to slow things down and mellow out a bit, the Atris is the better option.
In short, I’d say that the Atris is a more forgiving ski that still delivers about 80% of the big-mountain performance and stability of the Corvus. The Corvus isn’t as forgiving, but you get more top-end stability and precision on technical lines.
So what are your priorities?
Very interesting comparison! How do the skis work as a playful jib-ski? The softer tips on the Atris make me guess its better for nose-butters, but did you get a chance to test that?
Thanks for this! Still not the wiser about the 189 atris vs 183 Corvus (stability/playfulness).
Might just need to test next year. On the 193 Corvus now which is too much for me. The new atris just might hit the spot! I am same weight/hight as you. Speculations?
Again, thanks for posting this much awaited comparison :)
I would venture to guess that the Atris will be more “playful” than the Corvus at any length.
Just a heads up, next years order forms have a 188 Corvus. I reached out to black crows and they confirmed they will be adding a 188 to the mix. Perfect size!
Update: we are now also getting confirmation that a 188 cm model will be available in the Corvus and Corvus Freebird.
That’s great news!
What about the Navis, is it a narrower corvus, or also more forgiving?
I haven’t had the pleasure of skiing the Navis, but as I understand it, the other models are wider / narrower versions of the Atris, while the Corvus stands on it’s own.
Almost had to buy the Corvus after I saw the 2018 topsheets, but this confirms the Atris is my bag, baby. Thanks for the shootout.
Thanks for this comparison. I’m loving my old, non-rockered Mantra (no rocker, not even in front). I love the Mantra’s stability and ability to cut through the crud, while it’s also quite quick edge to edge. Works well on groomers and off-piste, icy or soft. Likes to go fast and never lets me down on the steeps.
But I’d love more float, so I’m looking for something slightly wider and with a front rocker to get more float in the pow.
Is the Corvus this ski? A wider, front-rockered version of the old Mantra? Or is the Corvus much burlier, high speed, hard charging GS style only – leading me to the Atris? or would the Atris disappoint compared to the confidence inspiring stability of the old Mantra? Would love to hear your take.
(A pure Corvus review would also be good)
Thomas,
The Corvus review was previously published. I have had the opportunity to ski the new Mantra, and would say that the Atris is more similar to it than the Corvus. I definitely prefer the Atris in all conditions to the Mantra that I skied, I think you would be pleased with it’s stability. And yes, the Corvus is much more ski than the Mantra.
Cheers,
Alex
Thanks for your feedback, Alex! Only saw it now. As chance has it, Black Crows have updated the Atris slightly, making it sound even more stable, so this new Atris might be just the ski i’m looking for! Thanks!
What are your thoughts between “the Metal” by J-skis and the 2018 Atris? They both seem like great options for all mountain powder skiis. I’m 6’5 205lbs and the J-ski only comes in 186 and is slightly narrower.
Both good skis with some performance similarities. But given your size – and especially if you tend to like to push your skis pretty hard – I think you’d really want to go with the 189 Atris.
I’m a 5’8’’ 165 aggressive tele skier (I know, paradox right?). Whistler based so ski lots of variable but little ice. Ski the steeper terrain under the lifts mainly. What length would you recommend on the Atris? Seems like my kind of ski!
Mike,
I’m not a tele skier, but I know a few…
I remember one of my friends who was a ripping tele-er would always insist on having skis with stiff tails. If you have this opinion then look at the Corvus. If this isn’t your M.O., the only data point I can give you is that I am 5’11”, 175 (Dry weight) and felt the 183 made a great all around ski, so with your svelte nature, plus the one time I tried tele-ing I thought turning was hard, I would steer you to the 178.
Hope this helped,
Alex
Mike, Curious whether you picked up the Atris and your experience. I’m about your size and mounted the 178s with the OutlawX. I went with the factory recommended mount point which is surprisingly center/up the ski compared to what I’m used to (K2 Coombacks and Sidestashes). One thing I’m noticing is that the tails seem to be washing out in more aggressive tele turns, landing me on my ass occasionally and not building a lot of confidence in the skis. That said, the float in powder is awesome. What’s your experience been?
Alex, after having tried the Corvus, I have to agree with your assessment – it definitely is a “game on” ski. My assessment:
I’m 187cm (6’2″) and weight 85kg (185lb), and I got a great deal on the Corvus 16/17 183cm. As mentioned, my old daily driver has been the cambered Mantra 177cm, no front rocker. I had read on Ross Hewitt’s site that he saw the Corvus as a new version of the old Mantra, just with tip rocker and 10mm extra under foot. But as you say, it is more ski than that. While the old Mantra can be pushed hard, it is also forgiving and lets you ride from the backseat or however you end up.
The Corvus is like having a good, but tough ski instructor/drill sergeant that pushes you to use the right technique and stand over the skis and slightly forward and use your legs. Ending up in the backseat, not concentrating or not using power, and the Corvus punishes you. I quickly learned to stay in the right position!
On the positive side, the Corvus gives more back the more I push it, and it also lets me stay forward in pretty much any conditions. With the old Mantra with no front rocker, I was always worried the tip would dive, and I wouldn’t really stay over the skis in powder until I got some speed, and even then I would sometimes worry. With the Corvus, I can stay over the skis and forward in any conditions. I just had to learn to trust it.
In variable, slightly refrozen and tracked out, boot deep powder, I could just ride the line I wanted as long as I stayed forward and aggressive. It pushed through anything. I always though the Mantra was good in that respect, but the Corvus is much burlier and more secure in those conditions. The steeper and faster, the better.
On piste, it is noticeable slower edge to edge from the 98mm Mantra. The Corvus can do short(ish) turns, but you have to force it. When I start putting on speed, medium and long carve turns are easy, and it grips any surface and holds it. Actually, I thought the grip was better on hard and icy parts of the piste, and that made the Corvus feel even more dependable.
In bumped up piste, the only way to go was fast and swallow the bumps, but again, the Corvus was dependable. Slowing down to play down the bumps, the Corvus just felt sluggish.
I’m not sure the Corvus could be my daily driver. It’s probably too much game on – but it is a great teacher! I truly believe it will make my technique better and take away any sloppy traits I’ve taken to, as it quickly punishes you when you do any mistakes. But it also rewards you when you stay forward and on – and if you do, it will be great in challenging conditions.
Will have to also check out the Atris when I get a chance.
Well said.
Is there an updated version of this comparison in the works?
I’m curious how the new full rocker corvus compares with the more stable atris.
Have you gotten the 2019 Corvus? It seems like it is similar to the original Cochise, but with a tighter sidecut.
Since both the Corvus and Atris have been changed since this comparison was published are there plans for an update?
We haven’t been able to get on the updated Atris, but we’re working on that for next season in order to compare the two.