2026 Atomic Maverick 115 CTI

Now back for its second season of soft snow and deep powder fun, the 2026 Atomic Maverick 115 CTI gets a new graphic. Developed in conjunction with athletes Sage Cattabriga-Alosa and Craig Murray, skiers get a wide-bodied ski that floats and is paired with a sturdy wood core. The build includes a mix of carbon and titanal for added security at speed, and the shape is balanced and rockered to handle the deepest snow on the planet. For a long time, the Bent Chetler 120 was the go-to model in Atomic’s line when it comes to powder, but now the Maverick 115 CTI is making a play for the crown. This is the type of infighting that we’re all about here at SkiEssentials.com, and we couldn’t be happier that Atomic has two skis in the 115-120 powder range. The best part is that they are different enough to satisfy the needs and wants of a different style of skier. In general, this Maverick 115 CTI occupies the more aggressive and directional side of the spectrum versus the more playful and bouncier Bent Chetler 120.

It’s tough to come up with a construction that satisfies the needs of skiers like these. One of the main ideas here is to implement ash wood into the core alongside poplar for sturdiness and damping properties. They use metal underfoot and carbon infused in the fiberglass for stiffness. This keeps the weight somewhat lower, tipping the scale at 2150 grams at the 193 cm length. As such, this ski is mobile for its size and shape, mainly due to the rocker profile and taper shape. HRZN tech adds 3D to the name and wood to the build. They keep the shaping process somewhat intact, but lower the thinner portions of the slanted sides, making the floaty part bigger. This makes sense when you’re looking to stay on top of the snow. Atomic keeps their Dura Cap Sidewalls in check, thinning the core profile as needed to create the appropriate flex. Tester Dana Allen notes that this ski is business-like in nature: “Good ski and relatively stable at speed. Good flotation but not as nimble as some. It’s definitely a straighter, longer ski—felt like it skied long.” Dana was on the 185 and at about 6’, that lines up. It’s a better option in wider spaces because of this type of feedback. Overall, it’s tough to argue with this blend of energy, power, and mobility.

The overarching theme here, though, is a fun-loving profile and footprint. From a shaping perspective, this ski is all about staying on top. The long rocker profile and dramatic taper shape provide ample surface area for this application as the new 115 CTI is a fantastic floater. The 185’s 115 mm waist is bookended by 140 mm tips and 129 mm tails to create a relatively short 18-meter turn radius. This is not as accessible as you may think, mostly due to the stiffness of the ski. If you can flex it easily, you’ll find that it feels turnier. If you keep it at a shallower edge angle, it’ll mainly want to continue straight. Noah Novotny states that the shape of this ski is all about “powder. The width, rocker, and tip profile make it a great directional powder ski.” They are mainly leaving the playful flotation aspects to the Bent 110 and Bent Chetler 120 in the freeride world, and that’s a smart move on Atomic’s part. They didn’t need to make another surfy ski, they needed a wide charger, and that’s exactly what’s happening with the Maverick 115 CTI.

With the athlete influence firmly at the forefront of this conversation, this is a fairly rugged ski. This puts the Maverick 115 CTI in the advanced and expert category and even leans more to the expert realm. Skiers who aren’t used to such a wide platform and a sturdy build will find it overly demanding and borderline unnecessary. This is a unique ski built and shaped for high-end skiers, as that’s what you’re going to get with a ski that’s designed in collaboration with top shelf pro skiers. If you’re of that ilk, or think you are, then you’ll find a ton of flotation and smoothness with this directional freeride monster from Atomic. If you ski in a zone that requires a ski like this, you’re a fortunate one.