Atomic Ski Review

For 2008, Atomic builds upon last year with an impressive quiver of freeride skis. A variety of innovations developed by the company’s aggressive World Cup race program have found their way into the freeride offerings including Atomic’s Beta profile, which allows for a very stiff torsional flex without compromising the longitudinal flex of the ski.

Big Daddy

Length: 190
Dimensions: 145-125-129
MSRP: $995 Stoke: 7.5
With Atomic’s Beta 4 construction, which uses fiberglass for torsional rigidity and pop, and high-speed Electra Graphite bases, the Big Daddy is a fast mothership of a ski that rewards the strong and punishes the weak. “For strong experts only,” said one tester who liked that the ski “loves to go fast.” “Stiff beyond belief,” added another. This ski is definitely for bigger athletes who are looking for a full-throttle ride.

Thug

Length: 181, 192
Dimensions: 140-120-133 @ 181
MSRP: $995 Stoke: 7.5
The Thug has a burly footprint for your average twin-tip making it a beast in the backcountry and on those kickers that take days to build. The solid, wood-core, sandwich construction surprised testers with is quickness. “It can pivot quickly but still carve at speed,” said one tester. “In pow, it’s a beast!,” said another who slayed the powder all day long with the Thug.

Sugar Daddy

Length: 153, 163, 173, 183, 193
Dimensions:126-99-117 @ 183
MSRP: $955 Stoke: 8
A more versatile iteration of the Big Daddy, the Sugar Daddy is quick in the trees and “fun on the groomed stuff.” At 99 mm under foot, this ski bridges the gap between true big-mountain chargers and all-mountain offerings, making it an every day workhorse that delivers as promised. If you are a one-ski quiver kind of person, the SD is Atomic’s answer to your needs.

Pimp

Length: 174, 183, 192
Dimensions: 126-103-118 @ 183
MSRP: $950 Stoke: 7
Atomic’s Pimp returns for 2008 with a new slanted sidewall sandwich construction and a poppy kinetic core which adds additional life to the ski. Even though the Pimp was one of our favorite skis in 2007, the updated 2008 version didn’t blow testers away. Perhaps that’s because the larger footprint makes the Pimp less versatile than the previous incarnation. “Loved it last year, only like it this year,” was the comment that summed up the 2008 Pimp.

Snoop Daddy

Length: 163, 174, 185
Dimensions: 127-88-113 @ 185
MSRP: $875 Stoke: 7
Last year the Snoop Daddy was one of our favorite skis. This year it didn’t stand out on the stoke-meter. Why? Not because of any inherent problems with this “lively and fun” offering. It’s just that other companies are catching up. At a mere 88 mm underfoot, the Snoop is on the skinny side of things when it comes to big-mountain skis. Its relatively svelte footprint makes it more appropriate for East Coast mountains, and we’d like to see Atomic incorporate a twin-tip into the Snoop Daddy.

Twins

Urban Punx

Punx

Length: 155, 164, 173, 182
Dimensions: 111-82-111 @ 173
MSRP: $535 Stoke: N/A
Another true twin-tip offering from Atomic that could definitely be more versatile than its Urban brother. Unfortunately, we didn’t get a chance to ride this guy at our test but its Kinetic Core, a lightweight material Atomic uses in their tips and tails, helps keep spinning momentum even and reduce weight. It is reinforced underfoot for additional rail durability but doesn’t boast an inner edge like the Urban Punx.

She Devil

Length: 155, 164, 173
Dimensions: 114-81-108 @ 173
MSRP: $400 Stoke: N/A
Atomic’s women-specific park ski is the same ski as the Twins with different graphics making it a ripping ski for the ladies looking for a solid park performer. Thankfully Atomic resisted the urge to make the only women’s ski in its park line too girly looking. The classy lettering and blue/brown combination paired with hardcore flames make this one of the best looking women’s skis out there.