Backland 88 w review

Overview

The Backland 88 W is the middle ski in Atomic's 26-27 women's Backland touring range, between the 85 W and the wider 101 W and 108 W. Atomic pitches it at women who tour without limits: an all-round touring ski for variable terrain with an eco-design based on a life-cycle assessment. It comes in 155, 162 and 169 cm, measures 120-89-108.5 mm with a 15.4 m radius at 162 cm, and Atomic lists 1200 g per ski at that length. The build is a poplar Light Woodcore with fiberglass, Dura Cap Sidewall, an HRZN 3D shovel and Atomic's All-Terrain Profile. Atomic says the design cuts CO2-equivalent emissions by 30% compared with the 2021 Backland 85, using more wood, less fiberglass and resin, and sidewalls that reduce waste.

On-snow performance

On paper the Backland 88 W is the all-rounder of the women's line: a touch wider than the 85 W for soft snow, but still light and grippy enough for long days on firm spring snow. The All Mountain Rocker 15/85/0 profile keeps rocker to the first 15% of the ski and runs camber over the rest, with no tail rocker. That points to reliable edge hold on icy traverses and a supportive tail at the end of the turn, while the early tip rise and the perforated HRZN 3D shovel help the ski plane up in fresh snow. Atomic says the All-Terrain Profile changes the thickness profile for more torsional stiffness and a better flex pattern, which should add stability on the way down without extra weight. Radii of 14.4, 15.4 and 16.4 m across the three lengths suggest short to medium turns, so the ski should feel easy to steer in tight couloirs and trees and calm on open slopes. It will not float like the 101 W in deep powder, but it gives a wider platform than the 85 W for mid-winter tours.

Construction & specs explained

• Core: Light Woodcore made of poplar, for low weight with good damping and a quiet ride.
• Laminate: fiberglass layers for a stable, smooth and light, lively feel.
• Sidewall: Dura Cap Sidewall, running from base to topsheet for edge grip, with a rounded edge for durability.
• Tip: HRZN 3D Backland, a thin, light and perforated shovel material for float in powder.
• Shape: All-Terrain Profile, made with locally grown wood and less fiberglass, with more torsional stiffness and an optimized flex pattern.
• Profile: All Mountain Rocker 15/85/0.
• Dimensions: 119-88.5-107 mm (155 cm), 120-89-108.5 mm (162 cm), 122-89.5-110.5 mm (169 cm).
• Radius: 14.4 m (155), 15.4 m (162), 16.4 m (169).
• Weight: 1200 g per ski at 162 cm.
• Edge angles: 1.0° base, 87° side. Flat ski; Atomic recommends its PreFit skin.

Who it's for & comparisons

The Backland 88 W is for women who want one touring ski for the whole season, from powder days in January to firm spring tours. Inside Atomic's range, the Backland 85 W is the lighter and narrower pick for spring and long ascents, the Atomic Backland 101 W is the powder choice at 1230 g in 164 cm, and taller skiers can look at the unisex Atomic Backland 88, which runs from 162 to 183 cm. Against rivals, the Blizzard Zero g 88 w is lighter at 1080 g in 164 cm and has a longer 18 m radius, so it suits skiers who put uphill weight first; the Elan Ripstick tour 88 w has the same width and a similar weight with 1210 g at 156 cm, with Elan's asymmetric Amphibio profile; and the K2 Wayback 89 womens is a close rival at 1150 g in 160 cm with a 15.8 m radius.

Pros, cons and verdict

Pros

• 1200 g per ski at 162 cm keeps long ascents easy.
• Camber over 85% of the length grips well on firm traverses.
• HRZN 3D shovel and early tip rise help float in soft snow.
• Per-length radii from 14.4 to 16.4 m keep turns short and controllable.
• Atomic's eco-design cuts CO2-equivalent emissions by 30% versus the 2021 Backland 85.

Cons

• Only three lengths, with 169 cm the longest.
• No tail rocker, so the tail is less forgiving in tight, deep trees.
• An 89 mm waist is a compromise in deep powder compared with the 101 W.
• A light touring build gives up damping at speed on hard or rough snow.

Verdict: The Backland 88 W is a light, balanced all-round tourer for women who ski everything from spring snow to mid-winter powder on one pair. Pick the 85 W for spring and long days uphill, or the 101 W if powder is the main goal.