Atomic Backland 89 SL Skis
Efficient on the up and stable on the down, the Atomic Backland 89 SL is a true backcountry ski with reliability at the forefront. Using Poplar and Karuba wood in the core, along with a Carbon Backbone, Atomic found a compelling blend of durability, weight, and ski performance, eschewing the extremes. The all-terrain profile remains predictable in variable snow, while the Dura Cap Sidewall helps with edge bite in hard snow. The notched tip plays well with the excellent precut skins, slotting in for a sleek, low-profile fit. With its middle-of-the-road construction that emphasizes a balanced approach to the mountains, the Backland 89 SL from Atomic is a smart choice to bring along on any adventure.
- Carbon Backbone provides a solid flex without any unnecessary weight.
- Ultra Light Woodcore combines Poplar and Karuba for reliability and weight savings.
- Dura Cap sidewall is resilient to rock strikes while helping with hard snow performance.
- HRZN 3D tip has been redesigned to provide better maneuverability and float.
- All Terrain profile is versatile across a wide array of conditions.
- Lower-impact design cuts carbon emissions where it can.
| Specifications | |
| Lengths (cm) | 162, 169, 176, 183 |
|
Weight |
1220g [176] |
| Weight (pair) | 2440g [176] |
|
|
120-89-108.5 [162] 122-89.5-110.5 [169] 124-90-112 [176] |
|
Turn |
15.4m [162] 16.4m [169] 17.4m [176] |
|
Skin |
Notched tip |
| Specs Verified | |
| Design | |
|
|
Light rocker in tip, camber underfoot, flat tail |
|
|
Short radius, HRZN tip |
|
|
Dura Cap |
|
|
Karuba and poplar |
| Skimo Co Says | |
| Usage | Getting into the backcountry |
| Notes | Blend of wood species in core is light and strong |
| Bottom Line | Ole' faithful in ski form |
| Compare to other Low-fat Skis | |
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Questions & Reviews
Sure! In terms of stiffness, the order would go Blacklight > Backland > Salomon - the Blacklight is quite stiff, whereas the Backland is moderately stiff and the Salomon is a bit on the softer side. The Salomon will be the most compliant and forgiving ski out of the bunch, whereas the Blacklight will be the least. With that said, the Blacklight 88 is not a difficult ski to turn as long as you stay on top of it - it has a big shovel and enough tip rocker that it initiates pretty easily and will pull you into a turn.
It's also worth noting that the Blacklight 88 is the lightest ski of the bunch, thanks to the carbon used in the construction. All three of these are good mountaineering/objective skis and can handle a variety of conditions, but the Blacklight will suit a more advanced skier well (or a heavier skier/someone who likes a stiff flex), whereas the 89SL is a great middle-of-the-road and the Salomon is forgiving and very friendly.
Lastly, where does the K2 Wayback 88 fit into this comparison of these three skis?
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