The Atomic Vantage 79 Ti returns unchanged for 2022, providing the same great edge grip and front-side carving prowess as it ever has. For intermediate and advanced skiers who are looking for a good amount of performance without the ski being too demanding or breaking the bank, the Vantage 79 Ti has a great spot on a long list of skis. Built with a light wood core, Atomic uses their Prolite construction technology to get the most out of this ski. Atomic then adds their titanium tank mesh which bolsters the flex and energy of the ski, allowing it to grip tight to the turn and complete a clean and round arc, no matter what the skill level of the skier may be. The Vantage series of skis has been known for its tremendous strength to weight ratio, and these 79 Ti’s are no different. In the 179 cm length, these skis generate a 17.1-meter turn radius, so they certainly prefer a shorter arc, allowing them to hold a tip to tail carve on the firmest of snows. A great value to boot, the Atomic Vantage 79 Ti includes an Atomic/Salomon branded F12 system binding so you’ll have a nice cohesive unit on your feet for pure front side skiing.
ROCKER PROFILE
Rocker / Camber
CORE MATERIALS
Prolite, Energy Backbone, Dura Cap Sidewall,
PREFERRED TERRAIN
Groomers
Reuben Jalbert skied the 179 and noted that it was a good length for him. Some of our larger testers, and larger skiers on the whole, will likely be too big for this ski, but for Reuben, it was just the right size. Flotation and versatility earn lowly 2’s from Reuben, but that’s not what these skis are all about, so that’s okay. Reuben’s top scores of 4 out of 5 went to stability, quickness, maneuverability, edge grip, and overall impression. In that light, Reuben notes that the Vantage 79 Ti is “surprisingly stable for how light they felt. I expected this ski to have a pretty low speed limit, but didn't experience much chattering or "squirreliness" when I opened it up a bit. They really allow you to play with your turn shapes and have great energy coming out of smaller turns. This ski belongs on-trail. They'd be great for intermediate and advanced skiers looking to move up to a more powerful ski that'll allow them to begin skiing more aggressively on groomed terrain.” It’s an expectation versus reality thing with these skis, and our testers are pretty consistent with that experience.
Brian Cooke is a little bit too tall for the 179, as he noted in his comments, but not too short that he couldn’t get a good read on the ski. Brian notes that he “was surprised that I liked this ski. I thought it held an edge very well on the groomers and on steeper pitches in chopped up snow, this ski was surprisingly stable. The tips are definitely on the stiffer side but forgiving enough to hit the bumps easily. I would say more aggressive carvers and frontside skiers that want a lighter ski would really like this ski.” It’s nice to hear from two different testers that a ski of this purported level is “surprising.” We’ve also seen that come about in competitors such as the Volkl Deacon 79 and the Blizzard Quattro 8.0, and it’s great to see it happening here with the Atomic.
The bottom line is that these are just really good skis at a great value. For skiers who are looking to progress and get involved in more on-piste performance, the Atomic Vantage 79 Ti is a fantastic choice. Since it’s paired with an F12 binding, you’re getting quite a bit of bang for your buck. For skiers of this ilk who are looking to progress and not be left behind, this is a fantastic option.
