Atomic Backland 108 W — Review

The Atomic Backland 108 W is the women's-specific wide ski in Atomic's 26-27 freeride-touring line, built for backcountry skiers who chase deep snow and bigger lines on the descent without sacrificing climbing efficiency. It runs an Ultralight Woodcore that blends Caruba and Poplar with fiberglass laminates and a Dura Cap Sidewall in the FreeTour Profile construction — more wood and less fiberglass/resin than the lightest race-tour chassis. The HRZN 3D Backland tip is perforated and three-dimensional to shed weight at the extreme. Length and flex are tuned women-specific rather than scaled from the men's geometry.

The Powder Rocker profile (25% tip rocker, 55% camber, 20% tail rocker) gives the Backland 108 W generous float and easy turn initiation in soft snow while the camber underfoot keeps a usable edge on firm transitions. At 1360 g per ski in 167 cm it is light enough for serious vertical and big-day objectives, with 1235 g in 158 cm for shorter skiers chasing efficiency. The 16 m radius at 167 cm is a balanced medium-long turn for the 108 mm waist, while the 158 cm tightens to 14.5 m for slow-speed control and the 176 cm opens to 17.5 m for stability on bigger descents.

The Backland 108 W uses an Ultralight Woodcore (Caruba + Poplar) for low swing weight with predictable damping, fiberglass laminates for torsional stiffness, and a Dura Cap Sidewall for edge durability. The FreeTour Profile construction biases the wood-to-resin ratio toward wood — more wood, less fiberglass and resin — for a more natural flex. The HRZN 3D Backland tip is perforated and three-dimensional to cut weight where it matters most. Profile: Powder Rocker 25/55/20. Women-specific length and flex tuning. Per-length specs: 158 cm (130.5/108/119.5, 14.5 m, 1235 g), 167 cm (132/108.5/121, 16 m, 1360 g), 176 cm (133.5/109/122.5, 17.5 m, 1460 g).

The Backland 108 W fits the women backcountry skier who wants a dedicated soft-snow chassis for touring days — wide enough for deep powder, light enough for full-day climbs. Within Atomic, the Atomic Backland 102 is the narrower, more all-round freeride-tour sibling for mixed-snow days. Outside Atomic, the Volkl Blaze 104 w is a slightly narrower women-specific freeride-tour alternative with a different flex character, and the Black diamond Helio carbon 108 is a same-waist carbon-built option for skiers prioritising the lightest possible climb weight.

Pros

• Ultralight Woodcore (Caruba + Poplar) balances low weight and natural damping.
• HRZN 3D Backland tip cuts swing weight at the extremity.
• Women-specific length and flex tuning rather than scaled men's geometry.
• 1235-1460 g across three lengths suits efficient touring at multiple heights.

Cons

• 108 mm waist is wide for hard-snow days — narrower options carve cleaner.
• Only three lengths available (158/167/176).
• Lightweight construction trades some chassis stiffness versus heavier freeride skis.
• Limited independent verification of damping in chunder versus the Backland 102.

Verdict: A focused women-specific 108 mm freeride-tour ski for skiers who want a single soft-snow chassis for backcountry days — choose it over the Backland 102 when float and powder days matter more than mixed-snow versatility.