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

Black Crows Octo Birdie vs Elan Wingman 83 TI

The Octo Birdie and the Wingman 83 TI compared. The Octo Birdie is 1 mm wider underfoot (84 vs 83 mm). Turn radii are 14 m and 14 m.

Black Crows Octo Birdie — topsheet
Octo Birdie
$949 MSRP 4 lengths · 155, 161, 167, 173 cm
Elan Wingman 83 TI — topsheet
Wingman 83 TI
$550 MSRP 5 lengths · 152, 160, 168, 174, 182 cm

Where each ski sits across every ski we carry

Octo Birdie
Wingman 83 TI
Waist
84 mm
83 mm
Narrower · firmer-snowWider · powder
Weight
1,525 g
Not published
Lighter · playfulHeavier · damp & planted
Tip taper
42 mm
47 mm
Straighter · grippyMore taper · loose
Turn radius
14.0 m
14.0 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 14.0-meter radius covers versatile, all-purpose turn shapes; a generous tip taper keeps turn entry easy and the shovel quick to engage.
A 14.0-meter radius covers versatile, all-purpose turn shapes; a generous tip taper keeps turn entry easy and the shovel quick to engage.
Stability & dampness
Built without metal, it's lighter and livelier underfoot — easy to release from a turn and quick edge to edge. At 1,525 g it's a genuinely light ski, nimble and easy to move around.
A full titanal layup gives it a damp, planted build that holds a line through rough snow and rewards a forward, driving stance.
Float & width
At 84 mm it's an all-rounder leaning toward firm snow — enough width for soft conditions, still quick on edge. A cambered profile keeps it locked to the snow for grip rather than smear-and-release.
At 83 mm it's an all-rounder leaning toward firm snow — enough width for soft conditions, still quick on edge. An asymmetric rocker profile tunes float and grip differently at tip and tail.

Full spec comparison

SpecOcto BirdieWingman 83 TI
Waist 84 mm 83 mm
Sidecut 126·84·113 mm 130·83·111 mm
Weight @ default 1,525 g Not published
Weight range 1,450–1,550 g Not published
Turn radius 14.0 m full-length 14.0 m full-length
Metal None Titanal
Core Not published Laminated woodcore
Lengths 155–173 cm 152–182 cm
MSRP $949 $550