Bird or fish? For original carving, BLACKCROWS "VENA COR" or LINE "SAKANA"? │26-27 New Model Comparison

The differences in the "feel" and "character" of skis cannot be fully understood from the spec numbers alone. This is the depth and enjoyment of choosing skis. Therefore, we've picked out two similar 26-27 model skis to highlight. Let's explore their individual characteristics based on user test ride reviews. Which one will you choose?

BLACKCROWS' "VENA COR" or LINE's "SAKANA"?

Both are playful all-mountain models with distinctive tail shapes, but..

Model	D (Dimension)	R (radius)
VENA COR	D=134-100-125mm	R = 17m (181.1cm)
SAKANA	D=150-105-138mm	R = 15.0 m (174 cm)

"VENA COR" is this kind of ski

While BLACKCROWS focuses on freeride, touring, and big mountain skiing, this model, with its unique surfboard-inspired shape, is positioned in the all-terrain category. Following in the footsteps of the carving machine "mirus cor" in the same category, it's a versatile board that handles all terrains and snow conditions, from groomed slopes to powder. The double rocker and short radius provide high maneuverability. Combined with buoyancy and turning performance thanks to its 100mm width, it's an ambitious model that lets you fully enjoy the entire resort

The two people who test-rode this model, also known as the "wild bird," are both avid users who ski more than 30 days a year. First up is the review from Shogo Watanabe, who is also a BLACKCROWS user

The tip has enough stiffness for stability at high speeds, while also offering ample flexibility to handle uneven terrain. The swallowtail grips the snow surface closely, and slides smoothly when you want to. It feels like it turns directly in response to your input.

At low speeds, the slightly wider width makes it fun to play around on the tail and nose, while at high speeds, the surprisingly long effective edge cuts through the snow.

The rocker and camber are thin and long, and are always in contact with the snow surface, resulting in a light and relaxed riding feel. Thanks to the pointed tip, the nose doesn't dig in even when leaning deeply, allowing you to ride over bumps.

Turning in the air in the park felt very light. I think it's significantly lighter to handle than other boards of similar size. I would 100% recommend this board to anyone who mainly does park riding like kickers and wants to cruise and play around on terrain and powder.

Next, we have a review from SALOMON user Taku Kumazawa

The "Benaco" is completely different from the "Milscore." It has a very light and nimble feel, and is easy to handle.

When carving, the more you press down, the better it turns, even more so than the Radius. However, because it is soft and light overall, if you get carried away and go too fast on the slopes, it could be disastrous.

The unique shape and Black Crowes graphics are sure to catch the eye. Due to the unique swallowtail shape, if you were to use it in the backcountry, skin clips wouldn't fit, and it's uncertain whether twin tip hooks would secure properly without actually trying them out. It

's a light, nimble, and sharp board that's fun to play with, making it a great option for park + freeride. However, considering that the board will get damaged when jibbing, it is a high-end board costing around 200,000 yen... On the other hand, it's heavy and has strong rebound, so it might appeal to those who want a lighter riding style.

"SAKANA" is this kind of ski

Developed under the leadership of Eric Pollard, this model represents LINE's CONCEPT series, based on the concept of combining powder and carving. Initially introduced experimentally as a middle ground between the carving-focused "Blade" and the powder-oriented "Pescado," it has established a unique position due to its high practicality in resort settings. Characterized by its shorter length and fish-tail-like tail, it's a powder ski that carves beautifully even on groomed snow

Here is a review by user Makoto Watanabe, who owns this model

The 105mm waist is just right, providing a stable feeling as if your feet are directly on the ground. The tip and tail are soft like fins, as the name "fish" suggests, and flex to follow the contours of the terrain, allowing you to make free turns as if swimming through walls and uneven surfaces.

The radius is about 16m, making it ideal for short to medium turns, but by leaning your body while relaxing without applying too much pressure, you can also make smooth, extended turns. At high speeds, you may feel a slight fluttering of the tip, but the edges grip firmly, so there is no feeling of instability.

The nose rocker and 150mm width provide ample buoyancy in powder. The fish tail is easy to slide, allowing you to enjoy a surf-like ride in powder and spring snow.

It has the versatility to handle any situation, but rather than aggressively attacking with pressure, it is best suited to a style that glides smoothly along with the terrain.

Another user, Shintaro Furuya, commented as follows:

The board is impressive with its characteristic suppleness, flashy graphics, and surprisingly light weight for its size. The nose is particularly light and soft, so it might chatter at high speeds depending on the snow conditions. I also tried riding switch, but it wasn't very enjoyable, so I stopped after about 20 seconds.

In terms of carving, the edge grip is good, and it feels great whether you're making a turn where you brace yourself and accelerate, or a turn where you relax and let the board do the work. It feels like a looser version of the Line Blade.

After digging through the fresh snow on the slopes, enjoying carving on groomed snow would make for a fulfilling day. It's fun to ride stably even on slushy spring snow without losing your footing, but I'd really like to take it on a day with heavy snow.

Recommended for those who want to try a unique board, and for those who love powder and carving. If you're experienced, it might be fun to take it to the park and make the most of its carving performance.

What we learned from the comparison

These two unique boards feature a distinctive tail shape and a shorter radius, making them enjoyable for both carving and slashing. The VENA COR, newly introduced in 26-27, combines pivot performance and precision on the edge thanks to its double rocker

Meanwhile, the redesigned SAKANA retains its surf-like feel while enhancing its freestyle capabilities, enabling spins and switch riding. Will you change trajectory as freely as a bird, or swim through the snow like a fish?