Gear Review | Atomic Backland 109 and Shift² 13 MN

First impression

The ski comes in a relatively simple design, whereby I particularly like the mountain imagery in the tail area. It is certainly light for its width, thanks to its decent dimensions and construction. The mounted shift, however, does add a certain amount of weight. For me, it's the first ski with HRZN 3D - the shape with a 3D moulded tip, which has long been familiar from the Bent Chetler series. The base is not flat at the tip, but is raised further in front and on the sides. This should give the ski more lift and also make it easier to turn or almost drift. Compared to the Bent Chetlers, the HRZN 3D is slightly less pronounced on the Backland 109 and is only integrated on the tip, while the Bent Chetlers are also 3D moulded on the tail.

The Shift, launched five years ago as Salomon's first hybrid binding, has been redesigned and is now not only more stable but also easier to use. In addition, the points on the first generation that were often seen as in need of improvement have been addressed, in particular the blocking of the stoppers on the ascent and the height adjustment of the base plate on the toe piece.

Testers and test conditions

I am 183 cm tall and weigh just under 80 kg. I mainly go ski touring, but I put a lot of emphasis on the descent and less on reaching the summits. I tested the Backland 109 in 189 cm, fitted a Shift² 13 MN and mainly used Dynafit Tigard boots, but also my new Scarpa Quattro. I've tested skis again and again over the last few years, but I haven't travelled with such wide touring skis for a long time. I got the test ski in spring, but was able to test it extensively in various conditions.

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Test report

I also have quite wide touring skis, but generally lighter sets, as I also tend to use light pin bindings on wide skis. The Backland 109 with the Shift is therefore a rather heavy setup for me, although I have to say right away that this is complaining on a high level. The skis and bindings are actually really light for the performance they offer, and when I remember how we used to go on ski tours with heavy frame bindings and freeride skis, the ratio is of course better now.

Ascent

For the ascent, the binding has to be adjusted first, as it is a hybrid binding. The toe piece is adjusted so that you can get into the pins, and the rear piece also needs to be adjusted so that it is out of the way and does not hinder the ascent. This works easily, as does getting into the binding. Apart from that, you don't really notice any difference to the first generation of the Shift on the ascent. In any case, the binding does its job well, is easy to use both when converting and with regard to the climbing aid and you can therefore make good progress uphill.

Once at the top, the binding has to be converted back, which is also easy to do. And then, of course, there is something about getting into an alpine binding in the backcountry.

Descent

On the descent, it is of course great to have an alpine binding connecting your boots to the skis. Accordingly, it is of course also designed for freeriders and fast descents and works wonderfully here. The problem known from the first version with the AFD plate on the toe piece, which kept shifting over time, also seems to have been solved and the boot sits perfectly in the binding. I had no problems with the binding during the test period and enjoy using it in all conditions.

The Backland 109 is also convincing on the descent. Sure, that's what I expected, especially in soft snow. However, the ski is really fun here. It floats quickly and is therefore easy to control even at low speeds, and at higher speeds it remains stable and drifts beautifully. I can't say whether this is due to the HRZN 3D. I would be interested in trying out a ski where this is much more pronounced, but there is probably a reason why the technology is used rather sparingly. Due to its manoeuvrability, the Backland 109 is surprisingly well suited for treeruns, where you glide along really easily and smoothly.

The Backland 109 is not necessarily a stiff ski or a ski for top speeds, but it is very stable at speed and can cope with higher speeds as well as drops and descents in snow of rather moderate quality without complaint. As it is very easy to control and playful to ride, as mentioned, you also have the advantage of being able to control the ski relatively well and steer it easily in difficult snow. In even, hard snow or on the piste, the ski can be skied well on the edge and, with an effort commensurate with the width, can also be carved, but it also remains manoeuvrable and easy to control in short turns. All in all, the ski works in all conditions. However, its performance is really outstanding in good snow, which is what the ski is designed for with its width and shape. Here it is an extremely good ski, at least if you include the weight in the assessment.

Conclusion

Due to its considerable width, the ski is probably only an all-rounder for a few in the Alps, but a ski for the better days. Although it works in all conditions, it simply gets better the better the snow is and really shines in powder. While heavier skiers in particular may miss a little speed stability, the handling characteristics are just right for me and, in combination with the fairly low weight, I will probably use the ski permanently on good days in the future.

The binding is also fantastic, even if it is unusually heavy for me.

Advantages and disadvantages

+ Very easy to control

+ Very manoeuvrable, fantastic for treeruns

+ Very light for the width

+ Binding a true hybrid version - pins on the ascent, jaws on the descent

- Binding not quite light

Information

UVP €799,99

Available lengths: 176cm | 184cm | 189cm

Radius: 17,5m | 19m | 20m

Sidecut: 133.5-109-122.5 | 135-109.5-124 | 136-110-125

Weight: 1540g (one ski in 184cm)

HRZN 3D Backland

FreeTour Profile

Ultra Light Woodcore

Fibreglass

Dura Cap Sidewall

Directional shape

High-gloss top sheet

Powder Rocker 25/55/20

Here is the link to the Atomic website with further information. Here you can purchase the Backland 109 from our partner shop Sport Conrad.

The ski was provided to PowderGuide free of charge by the manufacturer. You can find out how we test it in our test statement.

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Gear Review | Atomic Backland 109 and Shift² 13 MN

The new wide backland