The Atomic Vantage X 77 C is a relatively relaxed all mountain carving ski. Atomic’s Vantage X series is made up of a vast selection of skis with the Vantage X 77 being one of two that does not use any metal, resulting is a softer flexing, lighter weight, and more user-friendly ski. There’s still plenty of technology behind the Vantage X 77 C, however, as it uses Atomic’s Carbon Tank Mesh material, which is found in a whole slew of their skis across multiple collections. This provides increased torsional stiffness and stability without adding excessive weight, which is further enhances the already lightweight wood core. With slight tip rocker, but no tail rocker, the Vantage 77 C should enter a turn very easily, but should be able to complete a full carving turn without washing out. This ski is one that is relatively easy to overlook because of where it falls in the line (there are three skis “above” it), but the lack of metal makes it different enough that it’s a substantially different ski and one that certainly deserves some attention.
This is something that Steve Sulin definitely agreed with, as he commented that the Vantage X 77 C is “more ski than the price suggest,” something that we’re always exited to see in a ski. Steve found it to be a “snappy quick turner.” While the Vantage X 77 C didn’t receive the highest scores, it did quite well in categories like stability, quickness, playfulness, and even edge hold. We think this is going to be a great ski for intermediates or advanced skiers who don’t feel like they need the burliest ride out there. Steve thought it was “comfortable at all turn shapes and speeds,” which may be a bit of an exaggeration as we don’t think you’d want to go 60+ MPH on it, but that’s stupid fast anyways. Steve spends a lot of time trying different skis throughout the course of a season and he had a profound comment about the Vantage X 77 C and where it fell into their season of testing. “This was one of our go-to skis at demo events if anyone just wanted to cruise all day and rip some turns.”
Steve Brown concurred that it would be a great ski for intermediates as he referred to this ski as a “great intermediate style cruiser.” He found that the tip rocker profile made it “very easy to initiate a turn,” and described it as being “fun and playful for a frontside carver.” Going back to Steve Sulin’s comment about speed and our response that it might be a bit of an exaggeration, Steve Brown did comment that he felt the ski “chatter slightly when really pushed.” Steve’s a big guy and was skiing on the 178 cm length. If you’re built like Steve and/or looking to charge you might want to move up to a Vantage X with metal, but they don’t have the same forgiveness of the Vantage X 77 C.
If you’re in the market for a relatively relaxed all mountain carving ski the Vantage X 77 C should at least be on your list of options. The entire Vantage X collection has some really fun, responsive skis and just because the X 77 C doesn’t use metal doesn’t mean it’s not a performance oriented ski. Not all skiers really need the extra stability that comes along with metal. Too often intermediate skiers will pick up a more advanced, heavier ski than they need which results in more fatigued legs and a hindrance to progression. Don’t be that skier; pick up a Vantage X 77 C and just have some fun!
