Atomic S9's for Level 3?

[Alex Shore]

Hi there,

I'll be training for my CSIA Level 3 this winter and am looking to pick up a new pair of skis, something with higher performance compared to my previous sticks (Blizzard G-Force Ultrasonic 2012).

I've been leaning towards picking up a SL type ski, specifically I've had my eye on the new Atomic Redster S9 (165cm). However I'm not sure whether I'd be better going for something that's slightly more of an 'all-rounder'. I know Atomic have also released a new version of the TR which is slightly wider underfoot / larger radius compared to this S9's.

Anyone with any experience care to offer a view? Basically do you think it would be better to go with a SL type ski or something slightly less specialised.

Height: 167 / Weight: 65kg

Thanks

 

[Jilly]

I would suggest a SL ski too. Sorry the Redster's have a funny sweet spot and are all little too stiff for me. It's been a while, so I haven't tried the new one. Remember "terrain adaptation" aka bumps are part for the 3 exams!! Super stiff is not going to be friendly. Most of our guys at Tremblant are on a Rossi Hero. But that could have been $$ vs the Atomic line. Rest are on Head.

 

[Philpug]

The S9 is truly a magnificent ski and I think a fine choice for what are looking for. When we tested this years skis at Copper last season, it was one out testers favorite skis. Check out their opinions HERE.

 

[Alex Shore]

I would suggest a SL ski too. Sorry the Redster's have a funny sweet spot and are all little too stiff for me. It's been a while, so I haven't tried the new one. Remember "terrain adaptation" aka bumps are part for the 3 exams!! Super stiff is not going to be friendly. Most of our guys at Tremblant are on a Rossi Hero. But that could have been $$ vs the Atomic line. Rest are on Head.

Thanks for the info. Ah yes the bumps will be a challenge! Interestingly most of the people I've spoke that ski the Hero's rate them as really stiff, so was shying away from them even though they are so popular. Head iSpeeds were also on my list.

The S9 is truly a magnificent ski and I think a fine choice for what are looking for. When we tested this years skis at Copper last season, it was one out testers favorite skis. Check out their opinions HERE.

Thanks, one of the reasons I was planning on picking it were down to the reviews on here! Not many reviews out at the moment as it's a relatively new ski but from what I've seen they have all been positive. Will be keeping my eye out for more.

 

[Jilly]

My Hero's are the Carbon ST, so softer. Not sure what is happening this year with the line. I don't see it and I don't see the AT that I tried last year.

Are you going to take the courses and the exam in Andorra?

 

[Philpug]

Thanks, one of the reasons I was planning on picking it were down to the reviews on here! Not many reviews out at the moment as it's a relatively new ski but from what I've seen they have all been positive. Will be keeping my eye out for more.

We are proud of our testers reviews.

 

[Alex Shore]

My Hero's are the Carbon ST, so softer. Not sure what is happening this year with the line. I don't see it and I don't see the AT that I tried last year.

Are you going to take the courses and the exam in Andorra?

That makes sense, thanks. Yes I'll be taking the course in Andorra, as to whether I go for the exam I'm not sure yet, I'll see what the course conductors say. Did my L1 & L2 over in Andorra and as nice as it would be to take it in Canada they have a good setup / liaison with the CSIA there, works well and of course it's cheaper coming from the UK.

 

[MattFromCanada]

Hi Alex, one of the things that I've heard from course conductors around here is that for the L3/4 having a ski with a bit less of a radical sidecut (say a 15-16m radius) will make it easier on the exam to demonstrate direction change and steering using your pivoting and edging skills versus simply railing the ski to cut a short turn during your advanced parallel runs.

They're expecting you to trim a few metres off the turn radius, so from a 15m to a 12m turn. On a SL ski, that becomes a 10m turn or less. A lot harder to do cleanly. That being said... not impossible if you keep that in mind.

I used a SL ski with a 12.7m sidecut on my exam. Passed the the ski portions with flying colours. (The teaching... well you can buy a ski to fix your skiing. You can't buy a ski to fix stupid) and it's a lot of fun to slice super short turns if you can do it.

 

[Alex Shore]

Hi Alex, one of the things that I've heard from course conductors around here is that for the L3/4 having a ski with a bit less of a radical sidecut (say a 15-16m radius) will make it easier on the exam to demonstrate direction change and steering using your pivoting and edging skills versus simply railing the ski to cut a short turn during your advanced parallel runs.

They're expecting you to trim a few metres off the turn radius, so from a 15m to a 12m turn. On a SL ski, that becomes a 10m turn or less. A lot harder to do cleanly. That being said... not impossible if you keep that in mind.

I used a SL ski with a 12.7m sidecut on my exam. Passed the the ski portions with flying colours. (The teaching... well you can buy a ski to fix your skiing. You can't buy a ski to fix stupid) and it's a lot of fun to slice super short turns if you can do it.

Thanks for the reply, makes sense. The S9's at 165cm have a radius of 12.7 too, which is as low as I was looking to go, good to get others opinions on here as to whether they would be suitable. My previous skis were 14m radius. Are you thinking it would be wiser going with something higher than 12.7m?

 

[MattFromCanada]

Well I was looking at the atomic website and I noticed their X7 which has a sidecut inbrtween GS and SL... something like that seems perfect.

 

[Philpug]

Well I was looking at the atomic website and I noticed their X7 which has a sidecut inbrtween GS and SL... something like that seems perfect.

Same with the X9, a worthy option...X7 is a helluva deal though.

 

[Alex Shore]

Well I was looking at the atomic website and I noticed their X7 which has a sidecut inbrtween GS and SL... something like that seems perfect.

Same with the X9, a worthy option...X7 is a helluva deal though.

Yes I see what you mean. That's one of the reasons the Redster TR also caught my eye as I was wondering whether it might be wiser to go for something more in the multi-turn category, the TR has a larger radius and also very slightly wider underfoot.

Redster TR:
165cm Length / 14m Radius
114.5 / 70 / 102 (mm)

Redster S9:
165cm Length / 12.7 Radius
116.5 / 68 / 102.5 (mm)

 

[Superbman]

Of these new Atomics, the X9 catches my eye an might be way versatile in the 175. I have skied the previous redster XT and like it a lot.

 

[markojp]

Sierra Jim might pipe in as he's raved about them, but I'm really curious about the Head iRace. Seems like it would also fit the bill... 14-15r, 68 underfoot. Almost ordered a pair but ordered an iSL RD instead. We'll see how it goes. The Atomics sound nice!

 

[surfsnowgirl]

Deepening on how I like my Rallys, I may sell my Redster XTIs 164cm's if anyone might be interested. Won't know for a few weeks yet but it's a maybe.