Atomic Backland 95 Skis

The Step Down Sidewalls on the Backland 95 Skis are full sidewall construction underfoot and full cap construction at the tip and tail. This provides great edge hold on the entire length of the ski, and maximizes durability and shock absorption.

The Backland skis are as capable on soft snow as they are on groomers and hard pack; and just as fun as they are capable. They’re available in a 78, 85 and of course the 95mm width. The Backland 78’s are also available in a women specific model.

Tip and tail rocker is conservative: just enough to provide float in soft snow without any tip chatter.

Camber underfoot is maximized to ensure snappy turns on hard pack snow.

- All Mountain Rocker: 15% tip rocker and 85% camber.
- Carbon Backbone: An ultra-lightweight carbon insert runs the length of the ski to provide agility and edge hold with no extra weight.
- Ultra Light Wood core: Light weight Poplar and Caruba wood keeps the Backland’s weight down without compromising downhill performance.
- Stepdown sidewall: Sidewall under foot and cap construction tip and tail provide ideal flex, durability, and shock absorption.

Stepdown sidewall construction provides the best of both worlds.

All Mountain Rocker is evident in the tips and tails.

Atomic’s new Backland line of skis and boots for both men and women represent a solid foothold in the backcountry niche of the ski market. I previously reviewed the Atomic Backland Carbon Boots and was thoroughly impressed. The Atomic Backland 95 Skis, while not as revolutionary, are certainly deserving of some accolades. While there is nothing earth shatteringly new about the Backland 95 skis (as there is with the Atomic Backland Carbon AT Boots) the skis provide a super solid ride in all snow conditions. They’re stable at speed and in variable snow, able to make quick edge-to-edge turns, and carve out long arcing GS turns. They were playful on groomers and in powder.

This is a real workhorse ski. Its dimensions are ideal for a resort ski, but a little on the narrow side for a dedicated touring ski. A fourth width of 100 or even 105mm would be the cats ass in this reviewers opinion; Hopefully these dimensions are in the Backland’s future.

In my testing at Whitewater Ski Resort, and out of bounds, the Backland Skis never let me down. However, given the 3+ metre snow pack that is typical in this neck of the woods, the Backlands were a little narrow underfoot. Its minimal early rise handled powder considerably well, but an earlier rise or more aggressive rockered tip would be welcome features.

On groomers, the Backland 95’s considerable camber underfoot made the ski playful as it popped seamlessly out of each turn and into the next. With a square tail and minimal rise each turn finishes nice and crisp, readying the ski for the next one.

Overall, this ski is very comparable to the award winning Voile V6; only with a little less shape. Both skis handle similarly and have the same solid feel; except the Atomic Backland 95’s being much lighter in the weight department. This makes the Backlands ideally suited to backcountry skiing. That being said, they could do with a little more meat underfoot.