Touring backcountry skis
Product 2026
Woman, Man
The Atomic Backland 88 actually measures 89.6 millimeters underfoot in the 169 cm length (the version we tested). It weighs 1300 grams in the 176 cm size, which keeps the weight moderate. It’s not ultra-light, but it’s certainly not a ski that will hold you back on the climb. The Atomic Backland 88 strikes an appealing balance.
It has a very understated design (perhaps too much so?). A discreet ski with a rather classy look. The orange sidewalls add a small touch of color.
The Atomic Backland 88 is a versatile ski aimed at ski tourers who want to move comfortably from compact piste snow to off-piste terrain (where it really shines). With its 88 mm waist, it performs well across a wide variety of snow types and terrains and offers good pivotability.
The Atomic Backland 88 provides excellent edge grip, inspiring confidence on hard snow. The same goes for steep slopes, where the ski feels very secure. Despite its 16.4-meter turn radius, it doesn’t feel overly shaped — the geometry works really well. The edge engagement along the full length of the ski is excellent, providing both stability and grip.
There’s nothing really missing here — the ski is somewhat forgiving, as long as the skier has a minimum level of technical ability to get the most out of it. The same applies to flat pivoting: it requires a bit of attention and technique. But the ski delivers speed and security; the tail responds well when you want to extend your turn. If you want to lay it over and carve harder, you simply pressure the front a bit more, and the Backland 88 responds beautifully for technical skiers. The ski gives back exactly what you put into it.
Its main limitation lies in irregular, variable-density snow or old tracks — in such conditions, it’s not the smoothest ski around.
It’s best skied in its true size, or even slightly longer. In this width category and touring range, there are lighter and easier skis. However, the Atomic Backland 88 can be pushed hard, as its skiability is high. We really liked this ski for its lively character, even on compact snow.
Everything has been well designed for efficient skin attachment — notches at both the tip and tail are properly integrated. In powder, the tip floats decently; it’s not overly pronounced since the rocker isn’t particularly long. That means it’s a bit less quick to rise above the snow, but in return, you get a long effective edge for excellent grip.
Overall, it’s a great ski for tourers looking for technical, responsive gear. Very secure and confidence-inspiring on steep slopes.
We used this equipment over a long period of time
These are our thoughts after intensive use:
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