Gear review | Atomic Maverick 96 Cti

First impression

The Maverick series, similar to the corresponding Maven series for women, is now well established on the market. At PowderGuide, we have already tested several of these stable and versatile freeride skis. For me, however, this is the first time with a Maverick, as I am mainly out on tours and really appreciate the Backland series from Atomic. Compared to this and other touring skis, the Maverick with its CTI construction (CTI stands for Carbon and Titanal, which are built into the ski alongside the wood core) is significantly more stable and harder, but also heavier.

The length of the ski is also striking. The actual length is obviously measured here and not the length along the bend, because the ski is slightly longer than my Blizzard Zero G in 188 cm. The taper at the tip and tail are also clearly recognizable, as well as the now also well-known HRZN 3D-Tech, i.e. the beveled sides at the tip.

Tester and test conditions

I am 183 cm tall and weigh 80 kg. I ski a lot, but mostly on ski tours. Good snow conditions and an interesting descent are more important to me than summits and vertical meters, which is why I usually use more downhill-oriented skis. In recent years, I have mostly used the Atomic Backland 102, Blizzard Zero G 105 and Downski CountDown 104 models on ski tours.

I fitted a Fritschi Xenic Plus 12 binding to the test skis, and I mainly used Scarpa Quattro XT boots, but also Dynafit Tigards.

Test report

The Maverick 96 CTI is definitely suitable for touring on the ascent. It may not be the lightest ski, but in combination with the Xenic, the total weight is acceptable. The ski is quite torsionally stiff and therefore holds very well on hard snow in the ascent, even on steeper traverses. Lighter skis are certainly more interesting for long, altitude-intensive tours. With the Maverick 95 Cti, the focus is clearly on downhill performance, without losing sight of touring suitability.

On the descent, the Maverick 96 Cti shows its strengths, especially on hard surfaces, where the edges grip very well, the ski holds pressure excellently and is very stable in terms of speed. The same applies on the piste, where the ski carves very well, as well as in rough terrain, especially at high speeds. This is where the "Maverick 96 CTI's" smoothness and damping really stand out: even at higher speeds and in rough terrain, the ski remains remarkably stable, can be reliably kept in line and conveys a great deal of confidence.

The ski is very predictable and rewards a precise skiing style without being stubborn or demanding too much of the skier. Nevertheless, it is more suited to experienced skiers who actively stand on the ski and give clear steering impulses. On the other hand, the ski does exactly what it should and performs very solidly in practically any type of snow. Of course, it can't make powder snow out of crushed harsh snow, but it's amazing how much downhill fun you can have with the ski in average snow.

Compared to my other touring skis, the tail is very present. On the one hand, this means that a more precise skiing style and a sensible position over the ski is required. On the other hand, you have a pleasant reserve both when carving on the piste and when landing drops. You can (intentionally or unintentionally) put a lot of pressure on the tails without them slipping or the ski getting out of control.

In powder snow, the ski has a decent amount of float - at least for its small width. That's why it's a lot of fun here too and quite pleasant to ride. However, it needs some speed to really float well and is significantly less playful than wider and softer skis that are designed more for powder snow. If you have some momentum, the ski stays well on the snow surface and is also quite maneuverable. At slower speeds, however, you have to actively release the weight in order to turn tightly.

Conclusion

A very successful all-mountain ski in the best sense of the word. It is versatile, stable and works in all types of snow. It shows its strengths particularly in harder or variable conditions, but is also well suited for deep powder or long ski tours, albeit not optimally. It is also a lot of fun on the piste. All in all, a great all-rounder for good skiers who are looking for a ski for all conditions.

Advantages and disadvantages

+ Very stable in terms of speed and tracking

+ Excellent edge grip

+ Robust

- Not quite light

More information

RRP €759.99

• Available lengths (radius): 165cm (16m), 172cm (17m), 179cm (18m), 186cm (19m)

• HRZN 3D Maverick / Maven

• Power Woodcore

• CTI Powered

• Dura Cap Sidewall

• Directional shape

• Matt topsheet

• All Mountain Rocker 20/65/16

• Lateral edge angle: 87

• Edge angle on the base side: 1.0°

Click here to go to the Atomic website for more information.

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