2021 Atomic Backland 98 W

Wow! These are really fun skis. Atomic does a lot of things really well. They've got the high-end race skis that are running rampant all over the World Cup. They've got some amazing wide, surfy skis based on pro skiers and their desired performance. And they've got the Backland 98 W, a light, snappy ski that tours as well at it resorts (is that a verb?). Whether you're using these as your daily driver or as a light backcountry option with a minimalistic pin binding, you're going to love the overall performance of the 2021 Atomic Backland 98 W. Built with a light weight wood core and a carbon backbone, the skis have a fantastic blend of light weight and powerful performance. It's a combination we don't see a whole lot of these days, and Atomic has nailed it.

Carbon, as a material used in skis, is most often a fantastic blend of light weight and stiffness. When implemented as a carbon backbone in the Backland 98, it strengthens and stiffens the central chord of the ski, allowing for a higher performance aspect and the skis really start to shine. It plays very well against the lighter wood core which provides the snap and the energy out of the ski. In the tips, Atomic's use of the HRZN technology is perfectly applied. This feature shapes the tips more like a boat hull, and as a result, the skis float up and plane over the top of the snow. In addition to the shape being useful in the softer snow, it also allows for more surface area with the same width by putting in the three-dimensional shape. If you're looking for superior flotation but don't want a super-wide ski, the Backland 98 is a great choice thanks to that tip. When I've skied the Atomics with it, the Bent Chetler 100 and the men's Backland 100, I've been incredibly impressed with how easily the skis enter turns, especially in softer snow. It's an awesomely surfy feel in the soft snow, and the best part is that since it's really only in the upturned part of the tip, it doesn't affect performance on harder snow.

Featuring tip rocker, positive camber underfoot, and a bit of tail rocker, the skis actually have a strong on-piste performance that's going to surprise a lot of skiers. The tails actually bite in pretty hard, allowing for a snappy and energetic finish to the turn-much more so than I expected on the Backland 100, and I skied the 180 which was on the short side for me. Don't be afraid to size up on these if you're stuck in the middle-you'll appreciate the extra stability as well as the surface area for flotation. They're so light and quick that you won't feel like they're taking you for a ride or anything like that.

Overall, the Atomic Backland 98 W is going to be a great choice for skiers who are looking for the perfect blend of light weight versatility. At 98 mm underfoot and with the HRZN tips, these things float above their width, and carve stronger than their build. Atomic has a real winner here, and I hope that these skis get the attention that they deserve-there's a lot of skiers out there who will absolutely love these things.