Touring Skis Atomic Backland 78 UL Alpine Touring Ski (2021)

The Atomic Backland 78 UL is the ski of choice for uphill resort fitness, endurance speed touring or ski mountaineering alike. The 78 UL sits in the middle of the Atomic Backland Series – in between the 65 and 85 models. Each number denotes the ski’s waist width. With the 65 UL being a ski mountaineering World Cup race winner and the 85 UL being an all-mountain speed touring tool, the 78 UL can be considered the Goldilocks of the two options. A ski with featherweight construction that can glide through backcountry terrain with ease.

Atomic uses advanced construction techniques to slide the 78 into the glamorous ‘sub-1000g ski’ category, while still maintaining a respectable level of downhill skiing capability. The 78 UL starts with an Ultra Light Woodcore comprised of alternating layers of poplar and caruba wood. The wood core is then layered both above and below with a Carbon Powered laminate of woven carbon fiber. Full sheets of woven carbon fiber give the ski significant torsional rigidity and liveliness while minimizing added weight. This hi-tech mix of carbon and wood is finally capped with a high-density sintered base and abrasion-resistant top sheet to create one hearty sandwich of ‘fast-and-light’ prowess.

Do you have a goal of finishing The Elk Mountains Grand Traverse? Do you want to build a base of fitness [and secretly creep up the KOM list] on your local resort’s uphill-accessible terrain? How about link couloirs and summits until your legs cry for mercy? You can have all of this and more (more meaning that you now have a beautiful ski to hang over your mantlepiece as well) with the Atomic Backland 78 UL.

Specifications:

Length [cm] (Turning Radius [m]): 151 (14), 157 (15), 163 (16), 169 (17), 175 (18)

Sidecut [mm]: 113-78-102.5 (169 cm)

Weight [g]: 980 (163 cm)