How many turns can you make in a run, in a day, in a season? It doesn’t matter what the answers are, for the Atomic Redster S9 has a bottomless well of SL arcs packed into its short and shapely frame. To the S9, every run must look like a racecourse. Its instinct for high-speed turning is so engrained it practically issues instructions to its pilot rather than takes them.

If the S9’s desires were audible, the first prod to its pilot would be, “Go faster.” The types of whiplash turns it relishes need energy, so poking down the hill isn’t an option. Once it’s flowing with the gravity stream, the S9 reveals its all-world short-turn skill set. If you want to rocket off a loaded tail, strap in, tip it up and hold on. If you back off the pressure and flatten it out, the S9 will slither through a shallower arc that hews close to the fall line.

Like its stable mate, the G9, the Redster S9 is considerably slimmer than the Atomic that preceded it. This helps keep its orientation in the fall line even though its 12.7m radius sidecut (165cm) can pivot on a dime. You don’t have to be an active racer to appreciate the Redster S9, but at least some degree of fitness and technical skill are essential. One of the best assessments this season comes from citizen tester Julie Cowles, who crows, “fun, fun, fun! Fast and stable, fairly forgiving. Don’t want to go slow, rebound not easy to get but powerful. Heavy but felt light, easy to swing turns, good bite.”

While its stunning combination of quicks and quiet doesn’t travel well off-trail, it’s a versatile on-trail playmate that’s rock solid on edge despite feeling relatively light as it comes off the snow between edge sets. If you’re already a very good skier, it will make you even better.