Atomic "30-Second" ski reviews

These reviews are of new and updated 08/09 models. More detailed reviews of many more models, current and past, are now available on the subscription site.

Drive 11
It's been a while since Atomic introduced a new collection of frontside technical skis. The Drive series, which fill the gap left by the SX series and some "race" models such as the revered GS9, received good reviews. The 11 is a serious front side and hard snow carver, but is also well adapted to light off-piste duty, crud and chunks and is even at home in mild bumps. If speed is the goal, the 11 is a strong choice. One tester summed it up this way:"Makes it easy to ski well!"

Drive 9The most "all around" of the Drives, including in terms of suitable skill level. We predict it will be the big seller in this collection. It holds well, is more limber than the 11, quick edge-to-edge and markedly smooth. Should be an efficient and fun teaching/learning tool and a good choice for skiers just beginning to dabble in NASTAR.

Raisin HellAggressive frontside carver for strong and technically focused female skiers. Very quick, very smooth, very responsive. Good NASTAR choice; ideal for those engaged in regular lessons or attending skill-focused camps.

Seventh HeavenAs one of our test skiers put it, "The name is perfect! I loved this ski!" "Fun," "easy to ski," "ultra light," and "no surprises" were other consistent comments. A well balanced 1-ski-quiver for women who ski the whole mountain in all conditions.

Nomad Crimson TiLike many manufacturers these days, Atomic places heavy emphasis for '09 on beefing up the freeride collection. Coming in a notch above the Crimson, the Ti is a more powerful version of that popular model. Our strong technical skiers preferred the Ti; our less aggressive testers generally liked the Crimson. For those all mountain skiers who found the Crimson interesting, but desired more power and top end performance, the Ti fills the gap.

Snoop DaddyIt's always risky to make modifications to a popular ski, especially one as revered as the Snoop Daddy, but Atomic took the chance and has come up with a winner.  The wider, more powerful new Snoop, while upping the ante in bigness, emerges as a more versatile and balanced version of the original. It floats, carves, drifts, stays stable at speed and is even relatively easy to handle at slower speeds. "At home anywhere on the mountain." Committed backside specialists who also want to handle groomed and even bumps with confidence should take this new version for a ride.