Atomic Thug 2008

Big, this ski is real big. Guess it is like a comparing the average to Pamela Anderson, you kinda get the feeling that you are going to have to commit a little more. The Thug's are 120mm at their narrowest point, fat enough for a weight watcher to faint, so they can handle the powder till it reaches over your head- they are supposedly great and well balanced for landing switch off the cliffs, but I'll leave that for others to explore. So the new graphic is a little toned down, its fine, nothing revolutionary but adequate for the market but the Thug really does need some taming.
The37m radius is huge and half way between a World Cup Super G and DH ski in terms of turn raidus, so either you need a lot of space to put in an arc, some soft snow or legs like an oak.
Pure powder performance for the dedicated backcountry Freestyler who has really got tired of and too cool to hang in Park anymore.

The manufacturer says this about the Atomic, Thug, 2008:

The fat kid out of the Freeskiing family. With its 120mm waist width this sandwich babyy makes you float on the top of the fresh powder and gives you the chance to land your backcountry kicker tricks switch. Since last years graphic was over the top we had to give it another go for you.

Atomic Twins 2008

The entry model to the Aotmic freestyle range. The graphics are cool, the price is low-ish and the ski cruises well and can be used as a softer more versatile allrounder. The wood core gives you stability and and good pop when trying to huck the jumps and the Twins have a good image is which is half (at least) of what this sort of skiing is about.
Cool looking freeskis that will let you ski most places with ease.

The manufacturer says this about the Atomic, Twins, 2008:

With its improved technology and slanted sidewall construction the Twin gives you twin tip fun at a low price- which will leave you enough money in your pocket to buy yourselves skills. By any means this ski can go anywhere from floating over pillows, spinning throught the Park to........

Atomic Urban Punx 2008

Urban Punx are one of the most focused Pipe'n Grind skis aroundalbeit with a view to hitting some of these kickers in the backcountry. A very specialised ski that you can ski pretty much everywhere but they are designed to excel in the Pipe with their genuine twin tip construction and Atomic's dual edge "Dura EdgeSidewall Reinforcement". They U-Punx are super strong on the edge and sidewall to give you the confidence to huck jumps & hammer them on the rails. A focused package for the dedicated freestyler.

The manufacturer says this about the Atomic, Urban Punx, 2008:

Believe it or not but the Punx and Urban Punx are the only pure twin-tip skis on the market and seeing guys like Jossi Wells, Travis Redd and Charly Ager on it proves its shred potential. This kinetic core sandwich ski with its double edge annihilated any rail in its path and comes out unscathed

Atomic Nomad Whiteout 2008

The Nomad Whiteout is mid-range in the all-new Nomad range. The performance for the price of these skis is fantasic and they are very good allterrain skis for the intermediate to advanced holiday skier. The main difference between the Blackeye model above and the Whiteout is the softer flex with a different use of top sheet material. The Whiteouts are great workhorses in the traditional allmmountain category and will give you an adventurous spirit if you are tired of staying to just the blues and reds.
On the downside the feel and quality of the Nomad Whiteout, especially in terms of the binding, isn't overt. They are well made and will no doubt last the duration but there is a level finish that you don't get at these prices that you would expect to see with some of Atomics more prestigious models.
All in all an excellent ski for the adventurous intermediate.

The manufacturer says this about the Atomic, Whiteout, 2008:

Nomad: A member of people or tribe that has no permanent abode but moves from place to place. Thats exactly what these skis are designed to do. With features such as a fatter mid-section for easy carving through deep powder and vibration annihilating panels for rough terrain these are the only skis that make you feel truly at home wherever you may be.
Thanks to the innovative TFC technology very little energy is required to ride this light, high-quality all-mountain ski effectively in all terrain. With four TFC sectors in the tip and four in the tail of the ski.

Movement Yaka 2008

The Yaka is new for 2008 and is an interesting proposition for newcomers to Movement. As they have previously only manufactured high end and specialist products the Yaka is a much more versatile ski that will open new horizons to advanced skiers. A lot happier on piste and carving around the hill in the way that most holiday skiers spend their time the Yaka will let you explore the entire mountain whether the snow is deep and soft or firm and unforgiving. The new shorter radius also helps less experienced skiers to feel a carve and how to use the ski to arc a turn rather than making the skier make all the effort. A good choice for the adveturous advanced two week+ a year skier.

The manufacturer says this about the Movement, Yaka, 2008:

A dream ski was missing in our programme, enter the Yaka. This play-ski is versatile, holds a mean edge and is very lively. Its playground is 70% on piste and 30% off. It has a large range of use from very hard packed snow to some nice rides in powder and crud. A shorter radius design which eases the initiation and release of the turn at lower speeds but its wider ski-tip offers astonishing smoothness and dampening at higher speeds. The Yaka is a perfect compromise that will satisfy a wide range of skiers in a wide range of conditions.

Movement Thunder 2008

Fantastic. The Thunder is perhaps the hardest core of Movement's range. They are a stunning, demanding and focused bit of kit. Perhaps more tolerant than the originals, the 2007 model I tried seemed to share a slightly softer tip- similar to the Goliath- that helps initiate the turn but the Thunders narrower shape helps them to be more direct and gives the skier a more precise carve through the crud and chopped icy conditions. As with most of Movements skis this is one for the experts, they are about as tolerant as a Ferrari in the wet- sadly I can only dream of the formers intolerance whereas I have felt the intolerance of the latter! Highly recommended if you'd like to up your ante.

The manufacturer says this about the Movement, Thunder, 2008:

The Thunder is the leader of our mixed use, with Freeride orientaed DNA. Its proprietory construction and design has created a remarkable ski. It is a true experts toool and has dimensions for the whole mountain. Steep couloirs, crud, powder, high speed cruising, tight trees. It is one of our flagship designs. It is a big mountain ski since it will eat up vertical as fast as you can feed it. It is happiest when pushed....pushed hard and fast. One of the remarkable skis that gives back more and more the harder you push it.

Movement Flame 2008

The Flame has proven a popular weapon in the expert skiers arsenal over the last few seasons. Several friends who used to ski on slalom skis for an allmountain expert ski have switched to the Flame as they hold a carve, are good in the bumps and are pretty stable at speed. Even though they are lightly twin tipped they are strong on the edge and can grip on all but the firmest piste and can carve all but the shortest slalom turn- so they are fantastically versatile but then they can feel a little "tinny"- a touch hollow, lacking smoothness when compared to some of the more specialist models- but then you wouldn't have the advatage of its broad scope of versatility. If you are a good advanced ski or expert and would like a one ski does it all solution then the Flame would be a great reference point.

The manufacturer says this about the Movement, Flame, 2008:

We wanted to create a super versatile , offering all the characteristics of a Freeride ski with a slightly more committed eye to the piste. Our Flame is exceptionally fluid with lots of energy return. On groomed it is stable and precise even at speed. In deep snow its soft tip floats easily and keeps you on top. It has enough power to cruise through crud and other mixed snow but it requires little effort to do so. This ski is intended for advanced skiers who want a versatile ski regardless of snow conditions and terrain.

Movement Goliath 2008

As you clip in to these behemoths there is a sense of awe, foreboding and that you're about to undertake something rather serious. The Goliaths aren't skis for the uninitiated- more for when you've hammered down every run in resort, off piste or on, and there seems to be no challenges left to grapple so you think in a primordial way- hey, I'll strap a pair of these on and see if I can survive the ride.
And the ride is fantastic, in any snow, over any chopped up porridge, hard pack or crusty frozen horredness these things just fly over, through and strip away the imperfections letting you wield your way wherever you desire. I skied both the 184 and 191 length and was very happy on both but perhaps had more confidence to attack the hill with the longer length. Either way they ski with amazing fluidity and dampening- the blend of woods in the core can be felt in the flex pattern. There is definite rigidity underfoot for stability and a noticeable softness in comparison at the tip and tail that allows a ski of such huge dimensions to be tolerable and useable- this is a marked improvement over many of the old school skis from three or four years ago that had all the dimensions but non of the sophistication of a ski like the Goliath.
An excellent package then for excellent, seasoned skiers who spend enough time in the mountains to have the legs, the snow and the time to take advantage of such pure Freeride skis.

The manufacturer says this about the Movement, Goliath, 2008:

Evariste Berney's skis. A ski meant for powder and open terrain where an expert can really open it up. The ski has won numerous awards and has attracted the attention of some of the World's top Freeriders. One of its celebrated qualities is that it skis much easier and shorter than the dimensions would suggest. This is due to the core materials. Light but superbly balanced with fantastic dampening qualities. To our already famous 191 we added a new Goliath with a width of 99mm at the tip and radius of 23 m. This new freeride ski addition is equipped with the same tip profile and dimensions as the size 191. A rounded tail has been chosen for the 184 model vs. the straight cut tail on the 191, facilitating an easier release in tighter turns. The shorter radius of the 184 gives more versatility in the ride and is easier to control in tighter or slower terrain. Both of the Goliath's represent the state of the art in powder skis.

Rossignol Scratch Steeze 2008

Manufacturers review- testing 123

The manufacturer says this about the Rossignol, Scratch, Steeze, 2008, Big Mountain, Freeride, Backcountry, Expert, Pro, Skis

Stunning in every sense. I first caught a glimpse of these on the Grand Motte glacier in Tignes in Autumn '06 and couldn't believe my eyes- the graphics are really out there and fun, kinda where skiing should be. Every component is there for an awe inspiring pair of backcountry Freestyle skis and with Rossignols heritage with the Scratch and Bandit range of skis I am sure that they will ride well- Thovex's choice for the those big powder hucks.

Jon Olsson Pro Model 2008!

Perhaps the coolest and surely one of the classiest graphics for 2008- what they ski like we don't know yet- imagining they are the Pro Model of one of the Worlds top free skiers I'd expect them to ski pretty well. But with the Olsson Pro Model I am sure they will no doubt be bought for looks alone.

Keep checkin' out skireviews.co.uk for upcoming skis and more info on the 2008 models such as the JO Pro Model.

Head Raptor Race boots 2008!

Bold colour, bold design, 100% race-bred and 100% for the racer within you- the new Head raptors look amazing and felt stunningly snug upon the foot. Head only had one single boot at the test and it was a touch nippy to go skiing with only one boot so I can only talk of the design- this is a departure from the S-Line from this current season with a narrower but more ergonomic last which impresses with its accuracy. The buckles themselves have protectors over the ratchet to protect from opening due to impact with gates- this seems a great idea and I'm sure it works well but is a bit of "faff" when trying to clip up quickly and get skiing in a hurry.

There is also a well-thought-out double-strap that allows you to adjust the cuff depending upon the size of your calf muscle for a more accurate and comfortable fit. The very interesting triple bolts in the rear cuff will enable you to accurately tailor the flex and rebound of the boot for your method of skiing plus forward flex. All this combined with a new and improved liner will make the Raptors one of the most competitive boots on the market- certainly enough to battle with the likes of the Nordica Dobermann, Lange WC or Salomon LAB X2.

chris

Salomon Crystal Womens 2008

The Crystal is a great looking, ultra-light, nimble- and one of our testers favourites- piste carver skis. Developed from the successful Rush line from this year the new model is ideally suited to someone with a couple of holidays under their belts. The Crystal is very reassuring underfoot yet agile- this means that even in intermediates hands they become playful, grippy and reassuring. Vanessa, a blue to red run skier with about four weeks skiing to her name, found them very quick into the turn, easy to carve and she felt that they gave her lots of confidence for short carveir skis with more than adequate amounts of stability for an intermediate to advanced level of speed.

Light, sexy intermediate carvers for a sporty intermediate.

chris

Scott Neo

The Scott Neo was one of our favourites at the Meribel Ski tests. An addition rather than a replacement for the much vaunted Aztec Pro the Neo is a cruisy, fun and easy gripping ski for the advanced to expert skier. With a whole load of powder off the sides the Neo's just bounded through the stuff and are very palyful and easily tamed but great fun nontheless. On the hard pack they aren't as grippy or as explosive as a slalom ski but they do hold a surprisingly good edge, even on the hard-man-made snow that crept through on some of the Meribel pistes.

If you're looking for a ligh ( I think they would make great touring skis), versatile and entertaining ski the Scott Neo will definitely be one to try when you get the chance in 2008!

chris

A 2008 taster!

We're not even half way through Winter 2007 and already there are the Winter 2008 ski tests for the retailers and magazines who are all gearing up to let loose on you the most cutting edge, fashionable, fast and sometimes downright sexy ski kit- its just that all this gearing-up takes about nine months and most of this stuff won't be at a store near you until next November!

Happily here at Skireviews we are able to bring you a few samples of what is going to be hot for next season not only under your feet but some of them are very easy to please on the eye as well.

The test itself featured hundreds if not thousands of skis from well over twenty five manufacturers, it was especially good to see some of the smaller, bespoke traders there such as Line Skis which are now available in France for the first time, Armada, 3 G (Genuine Guide Gear), 4Front and Volant for the more executive amongst you.

Meribel was covered with a fresh layer of lovely powder and the sun was burning whilst the air was clear and sharp- so perfect skiing conditions and we were very lucky! Keep checking out those ski reviews and also there will be some snappy reports from ISPO next week to keep you in-tune and up-to-date with the latest in the ski world.

A plus

Ispo 2007!

What is ISPO 2007!?

ISPO is the worlds largest and most exciting wintersports trade and press show. For all the hottest trends and technologies, fashions and news from the smallest upstarts or large established companies Winter ISPO is the place. For over twenty years ISPO has been based in Munich southern Germany and is the ideal showcase for the majority of manufacturers, playing host to many of the major retailers and media interests. Whether from Europe or beyond those seeking the latest stories for the forthcoming winter season- 2008- will be at Winter ISPO 2007.

ISPO really is the place to witness the launch of new brands and innovations. 2005 saw the launch of POC, the cutting edge and innovation award-winning Swedish manufacturer of helmets, gloves, goggles and protection. 2006 saw the established ski manufacturer Elan win the award for technology and innovation with their Wave technology.

2007 should be great with the rumoured launch of a replacement for the Salomon X-Wave series of ski boots- for several years the X-Waves have been the worlds top sellers so the replacements are going to have to be good plus a ski developed alongside the aircraft and car manufacturer Saab! There is also talk of a new ski clothing brand from the UK! Designed to be "Engineered & Opulent" it could prove to be very popular!

ISPO is happening during the first week of February, hope to bring you fresh news and good stories to this blog soon!

Head S-Line

Heads new range, the S-line, features many models based around upon race boot design. You are greeted with a boot that is functional, clean looking, efficient and there are no annoying unnecessary add-ons. A major difference between how Head approach fit is the innovative FCS- Full Custom System. This latest second generation of the system features a plastic frame between the liner and shell. If fitted this takes the shell from stately-home sized 103mm across the forefoot to a more performance orientated 100mm. A secondary benefit of this system comes when you need to create space for lumps and bumps on your weathered feet. The FCS can be cut away so as to give space around pressure points- its quicker, easier and more cost effective than stretching the boot but you do loose a level of precision with this set-up.
Rarer and for the expert the RS series look fabulous and is bereft of anything other than bare essentials- think Pamela Anderson in a thong. Reserved for excellent skiers they are best suited to the expert skier with their firm flexes and precise liners. The range topping RS 96 is an anorexic 96mm across the forefoot so expect market leading performance and a firm ride from the race-bred “single-injection moulded” 130 flex.

Narrow to medium depending on model

Race bred design
Double-power Velcro strap.
FCS II (Full Custom System)

Flex-
90 (soft)
130 (stiff)

Freestylers rejoice!

For too long now you have suffered for your art. Even though there has been huge advances in ski design Freestyle specific boots have been somewhat stagnant. Salomon’s new SPK, Snow Park, boot is purpose designed for the job. With a host of features such as the “Highback” to save your calf from impaling itself on the cuff, a one-centimetre-deep shock absorber under heel to prevent bruising on hard landings and a simple yet innovative two clip design matched to a sumptuous liner everything is tailored to the dedicated jibber. Crammed with innovation and a heady level of comfort you will love this boot if you spend your days spinning off kickers or dreaming of doing so.

Medium last- versatile and permits most foot shapes.
Under-heel shock absorber
Lightweight
Fur trimmed liner
Slick Pad- easy foot entry
Oversized Velcro strap- extra comfort and support.

Flex 85

Salomon's new Falcon boots swoop to the fore.

Salomon’s new Falcon range heralds a revolution in ski boot design and the sexy new liners ooze class with their black leather and red cushioning.

The Falcon's are remarkably light- they are so light in comparison to an older expert model boot such as Salomon’s recently departed Course that at first they are almost disconcerting as you are used to feeling something solid at the end of your foot and not a boot that feels so integral to your own foot. The shell is a couple of millimetres narrower than the very popular X-Wave range but the liner is now so precise that they feel much snugger. In fact I think the liner is the star but more of that in a second as the shell highlights some new technology in ski boot manufacture. Instead of being constructed from one mass of equally thick plastic the new shell furthers the Salomon’s Spaceframe concept of only having enough material in place to achieve the job efficiently-all excess is trimmed away, so a boot for the Thatcherites, the Brown camp would never let you get away with such a design without a stealth tax! The end result is an incredibly simple appearance shrouding cutting edge technology. Refined carbon-fibre in the cuff amazes with its energy especially towards the end of the turn whilst the asymmetric design lowers weight and drives all your impulses through to the edge for astonishing mid-turn power.
New firmer foams in the “S&M” liner are more comfortable and precise than any I’ve yet tried this side of a World Cup boot. Fit is exceptional and the quality is great with taped seams and a rubberized toe-box for drier, warmer paws.
Downsides- Aesthetically the Falcon Race is incoherent yet the Scarlet and Falcon 10s look superb. For bona fide experts the lightness makes the boot lack feel at the beginning of the turn although this won’t affect advanced skiers. The Falcon liner is near faultless and marks a vast improvement- they are worth buying for the slinky “leatherette” alone!

Snowy Val d'Isere

Wow, from what I hear there isn't much skiing going on in Europe at the moment, the press has painted a mural of despair as global warming reaps its toll upon us poor skiers- but not here in Val d'Isere!! Having skied in perfect conditions yesterday it felt like a beautiful day anytime during the past few years. Crisp winter snow crackled beneath our feet, sharp air freshened and rouged our cheeks as we cruised around half-empty slopes high in the French Alps.

Another day and things have moved on considerably as it snows outside, this may not be the biggest snow year but we are skiing on vitually all the pistes, save for those reserved for the World Cup skiers in La Daille- things are looking good for the next few days as well, more snow is forecast and lets hope that we now start to settle into a true winter.

Keep you're fingers crossed and your ears open to news of fresh snow- there maybe a lot more skiing left in this season before heading for les plages!

Atomic 918 Ski Equipment Review

Entry level ski into the 918 range. This is perhaps one of the most legendary names in skiing and will be a welcome return for many a ski salesman eager to cash in on previously high sales of these all-rounders. A modern but forgiving sidecut that eases you round bends is matched to a light and forgiving chassis that is easy to control, relatively stable at speed and good fun for a competent red run skier. Good overall performance is assured on any colour piste but don't expect them to support strong, experienced skiers trying to hammer against the clock down a black. They are versatile but by no means are they aimed at the aggressive advanced or expert skier. Are the legends reborn?