Review: Atomic Backland 98 W Skis · Women's · 2023

Published on 01/29/2024 · 3 min readCurated Expert, Ben Cavett, has tested this product to give you their unbiased, definitive take.
Ben Cavett, Ski Expert
By Ski Expert Ben Cavett
16 photos
Photo by Ben Cavett

The Curated Take

3.7/5

The Atomic Backland 98 W Skis are ideal for skiers seeking a versatile, all-mountain ski with a freeride feel. They feature an entire wood core and carbon stringers, offering the stiffness and dampening needed for various terrains. Their unique horizontal tip design enhances flotation in soft snow, while the tapered tail ensures ease of handling. These skis excel in turn ease, playfulness, and high-speed stability, suitable for various conditions from deep powder to groomed pistes. Excellent for those looking for a "quiver killer" ski, they balance the lightness of a touring ski with the performance of a freeride ski.

Ideal for
  • Lightweight skis
  • Freeride feel
  • One ski quiver killer
Not ideal for
  • Lightweight edges are slightly thinner than other skis but normal for a tour ski
Turn Ease
Ben Cavett, Curated Expert
The ski comes in at 1,265g (172), making it quite easy to move around, and combined with the twin rocker and early taper, this ski is less likely to get...Read more
Playfulness
Ben Cavett, Curated Expert
This ski is designed to slash powder just as well as chalk. With its light swingweight, it can be enjoyable to throw around. The ski will also return any energy...Read more
Durability
Ben Cavett, Curated Expert
The HZRN tip prevents tip deflection and could be said to decrease the likelihood of tip damage. The construction of the ski is entirely wood and carbon, so there aren't...Read more
High Speed Stability
Ben Cavett, Curated Expert
This ski was made to handle speed. The carbon backbone stiffens the ski up while delivering power to the length of the ski. The lightness of the ski makes the...Read more
Versatility
Ben Cavett, Curated Expert
This ski combines the feel of a freeride all-mountain ski with the lightness of a touring ski. The ski handles deep powder just as well as chalk or piste. This...Read more
Carving
Ben Cavett, Curated Expert
This ski's construction makes it carve better than the majority of similar freeride skis, starting with the carbon backbone running the length of the ski and sidewalls that both direct...Read more

Curated Experts are not sponsored by brands. Their reviews are based on their honest experiences testing products.
About the ski gear
  • Model: Atomic Backland 98 W Skis · Women's · 2023
Test conditions
  • Where I’ve used these: Resort-tree/mogul/powder/piste around the backcountry around MT
  • How many times I've used it: 5

Expert Reviews of the Atomic Backland 98 W Skis

Ben Cavett This ski has the feel of a freeride ski with the proper stiffness and dampening due to the full wood core and carbon stringers, but it is as light as any modern tour ski at 100 underfoot. The horizontal tip prevents the front tip of the ski from grabbing while adding surface area for flotation in soft snow. Meanwhile, the tail has a taper to it, making it an easy ski to handle. This ski is a good choice for someone looking for an all-mountain “quiver killer” ski that can be used at a resort or in the backcountry.

Product Specs

Age GroupAdult
GenderWomen's
Includes bindingsNo
Model year2023
Ski typeBackcountry
Skill levelAdvanced, Expert

Review Ratings

Turn Ease

4/5
Ben Cavett gave 4 of 5 stars. The ski comes in at 1,265g (172), making it quite easy to move around, and combined with the twin rocker and early taper, this ski is less likely to get hung up off-piste. The 98 underfoot also creates a confident platform to direct the freeride stiffness created by the carbon stringers running the length of the ski.

Playfulness

3/5
Ben Cavett gave 3 of 5 stars. This ski is designed to slash powder just as well as chalk. With its light swingweight, it can be enjoyable to throw around. The ski will also return any energy put into it due to the carbon backbone running the length of the ski, making it poppy on powder and piste.

Durability

3/5
Ben Cavett gave 3 of 5 stars. The HZRN tip prevents tip deflection and could be said to decrease the likelihood of tip damage. The construction of the ski is entirely wood and carbon, so there aren't really points of failure internally. The main thing to note for durability is that the edge and base of the ski are fractionally thinner to save weight, so that would be the place to look out for.

High Speed Stability

4/5
Ben Cavett gave 4 of 5 stars. This ski was made to handle speed. The carbon backbone stiffens the ski up while delivering power to the length of the ski. The lightness of the ski makes the little chatter this ski produces barely noticeable and quickly ready to react. The lightness of the ski can also be considered a con in crud for some skiers, but I find it refreshing.

Versatility

4/5
Ben Cavett gave 4 of 5 stars. This ski combines the feel of a freeride all-mountain ski with the lightness of a touring ski. The ski handles deep powder just as well as chalk or piste. This is a good ski for someone looking for a lightweight powder ski or an experienced skier looking for a mountaineering ski that can ski in any condition.

Carving

4/5
Ben Cavett gave 4 of 5 stars. This ski's construction makes it carve better than the majority of similar freeride skis, starting with the carbon backbone running the length of the ski and sidewalls that both direct force to the edge, creating a strong grip for such a light ski. These factors also allow the ski to return plenty of energy when transitioning edges, which is enjoyable in such a light package.

FAQs

What do you love about this product?

Ben Cavett It's so light but has the feeling of a freeride ski that any skill level can appreciate.

What was your favorite moment with this gear?

Ben Cavett My favorite moment on this ski was climbing mountains overlooking Lamar Valley in Yellowstone Park and then getting untouched powder on the way down.

Why did you choose this product?

Ben Cavett I chose this product because I wanted to gift my girlfriend a ski that could be skied anywhere in any condition. I wanted something she could enjoy in the resort on groomers or skinning uphill to ski untouched powder in the backcountry.

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