Touring backcountry skis
Product 2027
Woman, Man
The Atomic Backland 86 UL operates firmly in the touring category with its slim, streamlined profile. It is featherlight,boasting a claimed weight of just 970 grams in the 165 cm length. Unsurprisingly, it proves exceptionally efficient on the skin track while delivering impressive edge hold during side-hill traverses—making it a stellar tool for racking up vertical gain.
The Atomic Backland 86 UL features Atomic’s signature 3D-shaped tip hull design borrowed from their all-mountain line. It works with formidable efficiency in tricky, rotten snowpack as well as deep powder. That said, the needle on this Atomic clearly tilts toward uphill performance, so don’t expect dramatic miracles on the descent. Nevertheless, it performs solidly, offering reliable edge grip paired with a well-balanced flex profile throughout the entire length of the ski, free of hard spots underfoot.
A heavy or aggressive skier will tend to flex and distort its chassis significantly. However, for medium-build skiers, the Atomic Backland 86 UL proves to be a very strong option, hitting an uphill-to-downhill performance split of roughly 70/30 (or 60/40).
It stands out as an excellent ski for tight, short-radius turns, narrow couloirs, and rocky choke points where jump-turns are mandatory. It allows you to re-center easily, backed by a reassuring edge hold. Still, you must maintain a precise stance on the Atomic Backland 86 UL—especially when carrying a heavy pack: driving from the backseat will cause the ski to oversteer. But if you have solid technique and pair it with a stiff boot capable of driving clean inputs, it remains very manageable to pilot.
Carved edge-to-edge fluidity isn’t really its forte, but sluff-management drifting and skid turns are effortless to initiate.The Atomic Backland 86 UL retains a surprisingly dependable, well-behaved ride quality despite its ultra-light build focus.
The topsheet resists impacts well. It comes equipped with a dedicated skin notch and that highly effective tip hull design,which breaks trail effortlessly on the ascent by shedding snow off to the sides.
As expected, the steel edge does not wrap all the way around the tip to maximize weight savings. Logically, Atomic also opted for ultra-thin edges to shave off every possible gram. Made in Austria. The graphics are somewhat understated and austere—we would have welcomed a splash more color.
A lightweight touring ski that prioritizes uphill efficiency without completely sacrificing downhill skiability. Features a remarkably effective tip design and dependable edge grip.
We used this equipment over a long period of time
These are our thoughts after intensive use:
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