The 2024 Atomic Cloud Q9 is an easy-turning ski that has a lot to offer progressing skiers and those looking to spend most of their time in a clean carved turn on the groomers. Atomic has a strong racing heritage to lean on, and fortunately for Cloud skiers, this technology filters into the recreational world. There’s a lot to like about clean and crisp turning skis with tremendous edge grip and a good sense of energy. Atomic does a great job with all of the above, providing a strong yet accessible ski that will work great for a huge number of skiers that just want a quality product to have some fun on. This works great as a first pair of skis for those looking to get out of the rental market and into the retail one, as they have a durable build and are relatively budget friendly.

While most skis that are of a higher end build will have more of a specific wood core for the performance, this one focuses a bit more on durability with a blend of light wood and densolite. The densolite is basically compressed wood and foam fibers that give the ski a sturdy and strong feeling. This plays well with the light weight of the ski in order to create more of a stable ski that loves to be engaged in a carved turn. We also get their Dura Cap sidewall to give the ski an agile and quick feeling while keeping the edge grip intact, especially underfoot. In the tips and tails, the ski gets a lot more maneuverable. The topsheet of the ski is structured to avoid chipping and scratching, with the added benefit of shedding snow and keeping the ski lighter in the turns.

From a shape and profile perspective, this ski falls decidedly into the front side category. In the 147 cm length, we get a 75 mm waist which is right on the money for pure on-trail carving performance. This is a good shape for a ski that’s meant to be used by a progressing skier as it allows for solid and confident edge control while keeping a wider bodied shape for balance. This solid platform allows skiers to stand on the edge of the ski with confidence—narrower skis can feel twitchy while wider ones may not be as easy to turn. This shape creates poise and friendliness for a variety of skiers. In that 147, we’re getting a turn radius of 12.7-meters—great for short to mid-range turns. If you’re looking for confidence in the carve, this is the shape to be in. There’s no rocker to this ski, as it relies on a full camber profile to generate energy and pop in the turns.

For 2024, if you’re looking to make a leap in your skiing, it’s imperative to get on the right gear. For skiers looking to progress from one level to the next, having a shorter turn and a cambered profile makes it easy and fun to get from one turn to the next with ease and efficiency. Thanks to Atomic’s history when it comes to producing excellent on-piste and racing skis, the Cloud Q9 does not fall far from the performance tree. The fact that it does so at a lighter weight and more friendly price point is all gravy in the ski world.