The Wayback 84 bucks the trend of expensive BC skis. It keeps things simple and is all the better for it. A Paulownia Tour Lite wood core keeps the weight down and still provides the right amount of strength and liveliness. All Terrain Rocker uses camber underfoot for grip with a low, gradual tip rocker for smooth handling, and a short, low rise in the tail to boost control. Use it for fitness laps on the local hill or making your first moves in the backcountry, the Wayback 84 won’t break the bank or let you down.Terrain Type & Ability LevelTerrain Type This could be a in-resort fitness lap option or a softer-flexing choice for the first journeys away from the piste map. The very hardest snow on steeper terrain or the deepest condition may trouble it, but everything else will not cause the slightest problem for this easy to use BC option.Skier TypeThe Wayback 84 might be a first BC ski at a very competitive price or maybe a great option for a lighter ski that doesn’t want a stiff model. There’s no metal or carbon fibre so it is at the softer flex of the range within BC skis, which is great for boosting confidence and starting to explore more of the mountain.OverviewShapeA fairly traditional shape for an all terrain ski, with some length to the tip and tail but not too much. This ensures the ski is smooth and easy to turn in softer and variable snow but has enough precision for firmer conditions. 84 in the waist with a 20m radius in 174cm provides stability in a range of snow except the deepest days.RockerAll Terrain Rocker skis have a gradual rise to the tip for great versatility in all conditions, with a short, low rise in the tail for added control in variable snow.CorePaulownia Tour Lite, a lively, flexible wood with excellent weight to strength ratio.ConstructionCap construction keeps the weight down, durability up and makes sure the ski has the right amount of forgiveness.Key FeaturesSnophobic TopsheetTopsheet material that helps eliminate snow build up while touring up and riding down, saving you from carrying the excess weight of snow stuck to the skis surface.Size (cm)Tip Width (mm)Waist Width (mm)Tail Width (mm)Radius (m)Weight (g)1461188410613.211241531188410614.711241601188410616.311681671188410617.812121741188410619.81287General InformationSkier Ability: Intermediate|AdvancedRocker: Tip/Tail RockerRadius: MediumBindings: Ski sold flatDIN: n/aCore: WoodDemo: No [Full Details]
Atomic's standout free tour model is light for fast and long ascents, as good as a dedicated all mountain ski going downhill, and impressive value considering the technology and design. HRZN Tech increases the surface area at the tip, reducing deflection and improving tracking in rough snow. The Carbon Backbone adds stability; the mix of cap and sidewall provides precision and forgiveness. The Ultra LightWood core keeps the weight down and tip inserts make skin use easier.Terrain Type & Ability LevelTerrain Type It can deal with anything. It has the torsional stiffness to grip on firm snow and exposed traverses, the width to float in deeper and fresher conditions, and the handling and balanced flex to tackle bumps, trees or varied descents. This is a proper all rounder.Skier TypeConfident all condition skiers who want a lightweight option that can go anywhere on the mountain. It could be skiers who want maxiumm vert but still insist on the best ride back down, or it could be all mountain skiers who aren't so concerned with the vertical but do want to travel to get to the best adventures and find the best snow.OverviewShapeA directional shape with tip rocker means predictable handling and more of the ski's edge in contact with the snow, resulting in better grip and stability. 95mm in the waist is narrow enough to remain nimble and quick edge-to-edge and there's plenty of width when you do find softer or deeper snow and want some width underfoot. The 18m radius (177cm) is long enough to boost the stability, helping the ski track cleanly whatever the snow condition. The HRZN Tech tip further improves the overall handling with a horizontal rocker that increases surface area.RockerAll Mountain Rocker use a 15/85/0 split of rocker/camber/rocker across the tip, main body and tail of the ski. This mix ensures excellent grip and response on firmer snow and when traversing, with some rocker at the front for better planning in soft conditions and easy handling when steering the skis.CoreThe Ultra Light Woodcore is made from poplar and caruba to ensure the weight is kept right down.ConstructionCap Sidewall uses sidewall from the base to the top sheet for controlled power transmission and great edge hold. The rounded shape adds durability as it picks up less dings and knocks.Key FeaturesHRZN Tech TipHRZN Tech blends an ABS sidewall construction with an across-the-ski (horizontal) rocker. This adds 10% more surface area in the tip and tail without increasing swing weight. The result is better tracking through chop and crud and less tip deflection – meaning greater stability, floatation and agility.Carbon BackboneAn ultra-light insert that runs the length of the ski like a stabilising backbone. This provides exceptional agility and edge hold without extra weight.eB tester’s comments: Dani (Aviemore) The whole construction - sidewall, carbon and light wood core - makes the ski super agile and effortless when skinning up and skiing back down. Perfect for advanced tourers. Technical SpecificationsSize (cm)Tip Width (mm)Waist Width (mm)Tail Width (mm)Radius (m)Weight (g)16912595113.5171290177126.59511518135018512895116.5191410General InformationSkier Ability: Advanced/expertTerrain Type: BackcountryRocker: Tip RockerRadius: MediumBase: SinteredBindings: Ski sold flatDIN: n/aConstruction: Mini Cap Full SidewallCore: Wood, CarbonDemo: N/ASizing Description: Go shorter for reduced weight and quicker climbing properties, chose a longer length for more floatation and stability. [Full Details]
The enforcer 94 Unlimited strikes an impressive balance between stability and fun. Based on the very successful enforcer all mountain skis, the Unlimited versions reduce the weight thanks to the Carbon Chassis LT but keep many of the much-loved characteristics. Other BC skis might offer similar grip but they miss the energy of the enforcers. This 94 version is a versatile ski that deals with anything from hardpack to powder days. The shape makes it feel like a wider ski in soft snow and the construction ensures it deals with pistes and rough conditions. It’s a high-performance model that remains easy to ski, mixing downhill ability with uphill advantages.Terrain Type & Ability LevelTerrain Type The tip shape, taper plus the rocker make it suit soft snow, whilst the width and construction add all mountain characteristics and ensure it will happily carve up pistes too. This makes it an ideal choice for skiers who will spend a good amount of time off-piste and who recognise that powder days are, in reality, few and far between, and they get their kicks searching different terrain and skiing every condition. The long nose and flex work especially well when the snow is rough or chopping-up, where some skis might start to feel unstable the 94 cuts through it with ease.Skier TypeConfident skiers who want a ski that will go everywhere without compromise; the shape ensures it will deal with all conditions and terrain. It’s the ideal dimensions for BC skiers who seek softer snow and want float but are realistic about the amount of time they’ll spend in fresh conditions, so don’t need a 100+mm waist and want good firm snow performance. From mellow terrain to steeper more technical descents, you can take it anywhere.OverviewShapeIt’s a new model that borrows heavily from the standard enforcers with the long gradual nose and smooth rocker at the front. This, combined with the construction, makes for smooth handling in tricky and soft snow, as well as nicely predictable turn initiation. The 94mm waist is the ideal size to work on hard snow and still make the most of fresh stuff. even on deeper days it planes really well thanks to the blend of shaping and rocker.Rockerearly Rise Tip and Tail Rocker uses a split of rocker/camber/rocker across the tip, main body and tail of the ski. This gives effortless handling in all conditions as the rocker in the tip aids float and initiation, the camber provides grip and bite on firmer snow, and the tail rocker allows for easy turn release and control in tricky snow.CoreThe core uses a poplar wood for weight saving and good energy and response. The new True Tip Technology extends the core into the tip and lightens the overall weight as well as increasing manoeuvrability.ConstructionSidewalls offer the best in energy transmission and edge grip; the new Carbon Chassis LT reduces weight and increases stability.Key FeaturesCarbon Chassis LTNordica’s Carbon Chassis LT uses a proprietary blend of carbon materials to reduce weight while maximising performance. Full-length carbon strips not only reduce the chassis’ weight, they also increase the ski’s strength and stability. The result is a playful feel that enhances control and response with a flex tailored to the needs of both active and aspiring skiers. The perfect mix of exceptional performance and efficiency when skiing and touring.True Tip TechnologyBy trimming the amount of heavy ABS plastic in the tip and extending the lightweight wood core into this area, with a taper that further reduces weight, Nordica were able to increase playfulness and manoeuvrability of the ski. At the same they have maintained the classic powerful and stable feel that enforcers are known for.Technical SpecificationsSize (cm)Tip Width (mm)Waist Width (mm)Tail Width (mm)Radius (m)Weight (g)165125.594112.515.51350172126.59411416.1146017912794115.517.11540186127.594115.518.21560General InformationSkier Ability: Advanced/expertTerrain Type: BackcountryRocker: Tip RockerRadius: MediumBase: SinteredBindings: Ski sold flatDIN: n/aConstruction: Full SidewallCore: Wood, CarbonDemo: N/ASizing Description: Go shorter for reduced weight and quicker climbing properties, chose a longer length for more floatation and stability. [Full Details]
The Ripstick 94W has quietly been making a name for itself as one of the very best women’s skis out there. It’s a freeride ski that is truly happy everywhere on the mountain from groomed pistes to fresh powder, with bumps, trees, slush and anything else in between. The key is the lightweight design and asymmetric Amphibio construction. There is a distinct left and right ski with more camber on the inside edge and increased rocker on the outside; the result is grip on firm snow and ease of use in soft conditions. Carbon reinforcement on the inside improves the precision and edge hold. Terrain Type & Ability LevelTerrain Type This a great example of a freeride ski, capable of skiing anywhere on the mountain, not just powder or mainly firm conditions, but everywhere. That said, every ski has a certain things it does especially well and, in this case, Ripsticks shine brightest in softer conditions. It’s got the wdith and shape to work really well in soft snow, with good float and easy handling. The Amphibio asymmetric camber/rocker aids the edge hold and feeling of positivity on pistes without making the ski any harder to use. There’s no metal in the ski so to strengthen grip on hard snow the new Amphibio Line Technology uses carbon reinforcement along the inside edge to improve the stiffness. The flex feels great on pretty much all terrain, with only the steepest, firmest runs needing more care. Thanks to it being relatively lightweight, mounting it with a BC binding is an option if you want to do the occasional trip away from the lifts. Skier TypeThe Ripstick is aimed squarely at advanced skiers wanting an all mountain option, maybe as a single ski quiver or maybe as a second ski to compliment a piste model. There’s no metal so it won’t suit the heaviest or most powerful skiers but, thanks to clever design, it isn’t tricky to use. It does reward good technique with precision and stabilty to take it anywhere OverviewShape94mm in the waist is a key part of what makes this a ski for those who want ultimate versatility. It’s wide enough to handle powder, yet narrow enough in the waist to grip and rip on the frontside. The re-shaped tip and tail taper design keep it feeling comfortable in every turn shape, on any surface. The relatively long nose and tail provide fogiveness and stability.RockerRipsticks use Amphibio technology, a revolutionary ski design that integrates both rocker and camber profiles into dedicated left and right skis. These skis feature a cambered inside edge assuring precision, edge grip and stability, while a rockered outside edge provides forgiveness, turning ease and smooth transitions.CoreThe Tubelite Woodcore uses two super lightweight carbon tubes inserted into a lightweight laminated wood core. These tubes run the length of the ski following the arc of the sidecut. They provide torsional stability and powerful rebound while allowing for material reduction of the core. The result is incredible lightweight response and stability.ConstructionSST construction uses sidewalls ensure quick, nimble and direct power transmission from the ski to snow as well as providing exceptional torsional rigidity.Key FeaturesAmphibio Carbon Line TechnologyAmphibio Carbon Line technology is a combination of innovations that provide the best balance of lightweight construction with power and performance. Amphibio Carbon Line technology elevates the asymmetrical ski design to the next level by strategically locating carbon reinforcement over the inside edges of the skis to provide more power in the turn. Carbon rods inserted into the woodcore maximize weight savings and overall stability. The end result is an extremely lightweight high-performance ski with uncompromised versatility and smooth handling. Vaportip ReinforcmentVapor inserts are advanced composites integrated into the tip and tail area of the ski’s core. These inserts reduce weight and vibration, dramatically improving stability and ensuring a smooth ride even in the most demanding conditions. eB tester’s comments: Ailsa (Fort William) I’d heard a lot of good things about this ski and it totally lived up to expectation and then some. It didn’t matter what I took it on, it felt secure and made me feel like I was flying!Size (cm)Tip Width (mm)Waist Width (mm)Tail Width (mm)Radius (m)Weight (g)15413194107141390162133941081514601701369411016.21570General InformationSkier Ability: Intermediate|Advanced|expertRocker: Tip/Tail RockerRadius: MediumBindings: Ski sold flatDIN: n/aConstruction: Full SidewallCore: Wood, CarbonDemo: Yes [Full Details]