ATOMIC BACKLAND $699
BEST FOR: Someone looking for a lightweight rig that can still hack the hill.
LENGTHS: 164, 172, 180, 188
DIMENSIONS: 129/100/120 @ 180
RADIUS: 19 @ 180
WEIGHT: 1.4 kg
OTHER MODELS: 117, 107, 95
From firm groomers to knee-deep fluff and back again, the Backland impressed us with its versatility. While tester Ryan Stuart wouldn’t say it railed, its semi-cap construction, nearly full-length sidewall and carbon stringers helped it hold a nice carve in firm snow and exit with power, thanks to a stiff tail. “The tail was nice in the bumps and skiing fast, too, creating a stable platform,” Stuart said. Upturned edges around the tip eased turn initiation while providing extra lift in powder, and a relatively straight sidecut sliced through crust without hanging up. Unleashed in a tracked-up bowl, there was enough meat to crash through the chop without hanging up in the divots. All that comes despite weight well on the backcountry side of the scale. It’s our new pick for a frontcountry-backcountry quiver of one. atomic.com