Female ski tourers chasing freeride lines are the target for the Atomic Backland 101 W, a lightweight touring ski with serious downhill ambitions. It builds on an ultralight poplar and caruba wood core and a three-dimensional perforated tip that boosts float without adding swing weight. A prominent tip-and-tail rocker with camber underfoot keeps it playful in deep snow while still letting it hold a line. The payoff is a ski that climbs willingly and descends with far more confidence than its featherweight build implies.

Why we like it:

We love that Atomic rebuilt this one around sustainability, using more wood and less fiberglass, metal, and resin to cut its carbon footprint without dulling the ride. The HRZN 3D tip is the clever bit, adding surface area and float up front while keeping the ski quick and light on the skin track.

Who it's for:

This is a ski for women who tour for the descent, the kind of skier who skins up specifically to find untracked powder and variable backcountry snow. It suits advancing intermediate through expert tourers who want a forgiving, playful platform that still has the backbone for committed lines. Anyone prioritizing a light, efficient climb without a punishing ride down will click with it.

Highlights:

A powder rocker profile with 20 percent tip rocker, 65 percent camber, and 15 percent tail rocker gives the Backland 101 W a foundation that floats in soft snow yet keeps enough edge underfoot to feel secure.The poplar and caruba Ultra Light Woodcore is the heart of Atomic's FreeTour Profile, which deliberately swaps fiberglass and resin for more wood to lower weight and emissions, and the perforated HRZN 3D tip adds float without bulk. Dura Cap sidewall construction keeps it durable and smooth.

Things to consider:

With its rockered shape and short effective edge, the Backland 101 W is happiest in soft and variable snow rather than locked into hardpack carving, so dedicated firm-snow skiers should keep expectations in check. The lightweight build favors finesse over brute-force stability when you really open it up in chop. It is a touring ski first, so resort-only skiers have better-suited options.

Fit & sizing considerations:

Sizes true to length. The rockered tip and tail shorten the effective edge a touch, so the ski feels right at your usual touring length rather than long. If you are deciding between two sizes, drop down for quicker handling in tight terrain, or bump up for added float and composure on bigger descents.