THE GEAR PICKER
skis / compare
Head-to-head · all-mountain

Atomic Maven 86 C vs Black Crows Sato

The Maven 86 C and the Sato compared. The Maven 86 C is 0.5 mm narrower underfoot (87.5 vs 88 mm). The Maven 86 C is 200 g lighter at the default length (1,450 vs 1,650 g). Turn radii are 16.9 m and 17 m.

Maven 86 C
$550 MSRP 4 lengths · 147, 153, 161, 169 cm
Black Crows Sato — topsheet
Sato
$739 MSRP 3 lengths · 167, 173, 179 cm

Where each ski sits across every ski we carry

Maven 86 C
Sato
Waist
87.5 mm
88 mm
Narrower · firmer-snowWider · powder
Weight
1,450 g
1,650 g
Lighter · playfulHeavier · damp & planted
Tip taper
35.5 mm
40 mm
Straighter · grippyMore taper · loose
Turn radius
16.9 m
17.0 m
Shorter · quickLonger · stable

Head to head, by character

Each ski's own read, side by side — the same three things that define how it skis.
Turn & shape
A 16.9-meter radius sits in the all-purpose range — turn shapes that shorten up or open out without committing to either; a moderate tip taper keeps turn entry easy while the shovel still engages.
A 17.0-meter radius leans toward longer turns, while a generous tip taper keeps the shovel easy to engage and release — a long-radius shape that doesn't feel locked in.
Stability & dampness
Built without metal on a wood core, it's lighter and livelier underfoot — easy to release from a turn and quick edge to edge. At 1,450 g it's a genuinely light ski, nimble and easy to move around.
Built without metal, it's lighter and livelier underfoot — easy to release from a turn and quick edge to edge. At 1,650 g it stays light and maneuverable.
Float & width
At 88 mm it's an all-rounder leaning toward firm snow — enough width for soft conditions, still quick on edge. Rocker at tip and tail lets it smear and release easily, while the camber underfoot keeps an edge.
At 88 mm it's an all-rounder leaning toward firm snow — enough width for soft conditions, still quick on edge. Rocker at tip and tail lets it smear and release easily, while the camber underfoot keeps an edge.

Full spec comparison

SpecMaven 86 CSato
Waist 87.5 mm 88 mm
Sidecut 123·87.5·106.5 mm 128·88·114 mm
Weight @ default 1,450 g 1,650 g
Weight range 1,450 g 1,650–1,825 g
Turn radius 16.9 m full-length 17.0 m full-length
Metal None None
Core Wood core Not published
Lengths 147–169 cm 167–179 cm
MSRP $550 $739