Location (skiing): Southwestern Colorado (exclusively) So yall are probably better versed with these sticks than most other communities.Ībility: Expert (If we're being honest with each other, "Advanced") I know most Newschoolers are more concerned with throwing Gnarly Nut-grabbin' Nuclear Nosepickers than they are with rippin' tight-kneed zipperlines, but I've found my preferred type of ski generally comes from the All-Mountain Park/Pipe family. Besides, everyone's situation is a little different and really, what's one more thread on the pile. This ski will be a great option for solid intermediate skiers looking for an easy and maneuverable front side ski to have fun making short quick turns as well as opening up a bit.” That’s a pretty glowing commendation, and we get the sense that Mike probably didn’t expect as much when he started.įront side skiers who are looking for a quick, stable, and fun ski will-according to our testers-find themselves in heaven when they click into the Atomic Vantage X 80 CTI.I looked at all the relevant threads I could find, but didn't come across an answer. The ski provides great energy popping out of every turn into the next. It is quick turning with a short turn radius and is snappy edge to edge. Straight from Mike’s mouth/pen: “The Vantage X 80 CTI is a great front side ski that is very easy to ski. He had a very favorable overall impression of the ski. Mike Aidala concurs with the other testers in terms of stability and quickness. Versatile on a groomed trail, being able to make short swing, slalom and GS turns easily.” It’s refreshing to hear that, yes, the ski is a true front side ski, but in that terrain, it can do anything. In addition to the quickness, David found it has some strength to it too. That doesn’t mean it can’t do it, but as David says: “you can’t get on and off the edge quick enough.” This ski needs to be on edge, carving turns, or else it’s not too happy. At 80 mm underfoot, the ski is pretty much a one-trick pony-capable and astute at what it does, but probably won’t excel off-piste or in any conditions. As expected, David bestowed low scores for flotation and versatility. He also skied the 173, felt it was true to size, and loved the stability and torsional stiffness and edge hold of the Vantage X 80. The quickness compliments continue with David Raybould. His compliments continue by stating, quite simply and effectively, that the Atomic Vantage X 80 is a “very fun, easy ski.” For most skiers, this is really the beginning and end of the conversation. It’s important to note that the notion of “responsive at speed” lends itself to a high-end ski that is capable of jet-fighter like maneuvers without flinching or looking back. Speaking to the on-trail nature of the ski, he called it a “great carver that is phenomenally stable and responsive at speed.” For a front side ski, compliments don’t get much better than that. He noted that the ski felt long, and at 174, that’s a good sign that the ski performs admirably and feels substantial. Michael Carroll-Sherwin tried out the 173 cm Vantage X 80 and gave it high marks for stability and quickness/maneuverability. Most testers found it to be a refreshing reprieve from being on skis 20 mm wider and up. With light tip rocker and camber underfoot, the initiation of the turn is lightning quick, and the edge hold and rebound is exceptional. At 80 mm underfoot, it’s not particularly well suited for deep fresh snow and big mountain chutes, but it has its strengths, and it’s sticking to them. We’re certainly placing this ski squarely in the front side category for obvious reasons. Testers raved about the quickness, stability, and edge hold of the Vantage X 80, and loved that such a ski not only exists in these days of fat rocker skis, but also has a very distinct and individualistic home. The 2019 Atomic Vantage X 80 is just that ski. There’s something about skiing a light, snappy ski on the groomers that’s inherently satisfying.
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