Gear Review | Atomic Maverick 105 CTI

First impression

At the beginning of the winter, we were given the Maverick 105 from Atomic to test. Just like its wider brother, the Maverick 115, the ski is part of Atomic's freeski line. The series was developed in close collaboration with team riders such as Craig Murray, Hendrik Windsted and Chris Rubens and is characterised by directional big-mountain shapes and construction. The 105 is intended to be the all-purpose weapon in this line and was realised under the leadership of Chris Rubens. Anyone who has followed Chris in countless video projects over the last few years will perhaps expect a powder-capable wide touring ski with which he can diligently pursue his fur-driven "pillow farming". So I'm very curious to see how the ski will behave in powder.

Contrary to expectations, the ski is cut rather slim and only has a moderately unobtrusive shape. Square tips with a taper have already been seen somewhere these days and are probably only still remarkable for experienced skiers, the HRZN 3D ski tips, which have an angled base surface on the shovel edges that touch the snow first. As usual, a red-orange base, but with a rather inconspicuous topsheet that depicts a dark forest. It is easy for me to interpret a very early dawn patrol into the pillow forest or a late fondue hut ascent.

However, it is a dark, somewhat mysterious ski that is waiting to be tested. A powder weapon is certainly not expected here.

The rocker of the ski is much more restrained compared to the 115. The shovel appears slightly raised, but this is a great advantage in knee-deep powder. As expected, the lift of the 105 mm wide ski is limited, but can still be controlled in any position with active impulse from the skier. And as soon as you pick up speed again and the tips point downhill, the fun really begins. Although the ski has clear damping properties, you can still feel the terrain well enough to maintain control. Uniform movements over the shovel when diving in after each turn, like the pros in the deep powder films, are possible. Well, at least it feels like it.

The ride out of the narrow forest is very relaxed thanks to the manageable length. On harder surfaces, with the very sharp edge, jumpturns are recommended to avoid unintentional positioning. If it is very tight in the Cuoloir, you have good lateral support, but it feels a little too aggressive. A detune of the edge may help here.

Thought, done. In DIY mode, the factory grinding of the rather thin edge was reduced to approx. 88° and the hoped-for effects have materialised. The ski is now still easy to control even at cruising speed. The edge can be controlled much more precisely. It doesn't suddenly pull into the thigh for lateral stability, but the muscles around the knee are addressed much more smoothly. Now the time has come. As we don't expect any more surprises, we're off on tour.

On Tour

Atomic's own skins, which are supplied with an excellent cutting tool, are quickly customised. The skin itself looks a little shaggy and it is worth combing out the cut edge a little so as not to mess up the fresh glue. As a precaution, the cut edge is melt-sealed with a lighter so that nothing frays. It remains to be seen how durable the whole thing is.

The skin is easy to put on during use. The rear attachment set at home is in place and so, as a regular CAST system user, you are ready for action unusually quickly this time with the Tecton. On the flat, I quickly realised that the skin needs a little wax in the future. It still doesn't glide as nicely as my Comapgnion, which with its very heavy freeride set-up still clearly pulls away. This is now relativised on the ascent. The overall light setup, where ski and binding still weigh approx. 2760 grams, likes to go uphill. Initiating hairpin turns with the ski mounted in the centre is also no problem. What is unusual is the somewhat more courageous kick that is then needed to fold down before the valley ski is pulled back, as the heel part of the binding is so light compared to the usual heavy turntable heel piece of the Look Pivot. However, the learning curve sets in after the third shovel has been put into the snow.

Once you reach the summit, you are quickly ready to master the frozen, blown-off top entry. This is where the setup shines with the ski's low weight and good edge grip. Small sidesteps or jumpturns in technically demanding "tricky" snow are mastered without really being challenged. As soon as you are allowed to pick up speed, you cruise along with the feeling of a big-mountain freeride ski and stoically pull over small wind-hidden passages in open terrain. As soon as you reach the wind-protected soft slopes above the tree line again, you are already looking for the first pillows and the surfed turns between the trees that the ski likes so much.

It really is an all-purpose mountain tool, this setup, which for many can be the one-skiquiver of a ski travel set. There is no situation in which you look completely inadequately equipped. Of course, in very deep conditions or very soft big slopes, wider heavier setups are more efficient and you tire less over an entire freeride day, but this touring setup comes close.

Conclusion

Very versatile, stable ski which, with a lightweight hybrid binding, makes for an outstanding downhill-orientated touring setup. Stable at speed and precise on long turns. After detuning the aggressive edge, it can also be skied very intuitively in the lower speed range and short turns, while still offering considerable edge hold in steep passages and hard conditions. As expected, it's not a powder weapon because in a lot of fresh snow, larger skis like the Atomic Maverick 115 CTi with significantly more flotation are certainly more effortless to ski, but if you have to walk a long way to the pillow fields, you still have very powder-potent material under your feet.

Advantages and disadvantages

+ Stable, fast and precise

+ 191cm; measured 190cm

+ light: 2759g and 2764g (weighed with Fritschi Tecton)

+ Rear spacer to protect the edge when putting the ski down

+ HRZN3D tips work very well

+ with front mounting point very balanced from manoeuvrability to stability

+Atomic "Snowglow" effect of the bright red-orange base at the tip and tail

- Thin edges

- Semicap tends to delaminate at the rear.

- 87° edge too aggressive, 88° is enough

- could do with a little more pop

Information

Directional shape

Little to no rocker at the end of the ski for better edge contact and therefore more grip and stability.

High-gloss top sheet

High-gloss top sheet for a polished, glassy finish and a smooth, absolutely high-quality look.

All Mountain Rocker 20/65/16

For piste or powder: early rise at the front or front and rear - for high versatility.

Lateral edge angle: 87°

87° lateral edge angle - for intuitive handling, easy riding behaviour and better grip.

Edge angle on the facing side: 1.0°

1.0° edge angle on the base side for easy turning, excellent edge grip and top directional stability.

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

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