Skier: Katsuno Tenran Photo: Yasuyuki Shimanuki
We selected fat skis with a waist width of 110-120mm that riders highly praised for their "excellent performance in powder." We then categorized the ride quality based on a five-point scale that measured the stiffness of the nose, center, and tail. The "stiff" fat skis featured here are characterized by their "high off-road performance" and "stable at high speeds." We asked the riders to share their detailed ride quality and ease of use
ATOMIC ｜ BACKLAND117
●Suitable scenes are rated on a 5-point scale
: Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★☆☆
Hard pack: ★★★☆☆
Park: ★★☆☆☆
Moguls: ★★☆☆☆
Touring: ★★★★★
●Hardness impression on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→ ★5=hard)
Nose: ★★★☆☆
Center: ★★★★☆
Tail: ★★★★☆
●Review
features: This is Atomic's flagship backcountry model, boasting the greatest buoyancy and maneuverability.
Handling: It's easy to control at the top and has good maneuverability, making it an easy ski to use.
Ride: The skis have tension from the center to the tail, allowing them to move smoothly, making it a ride that experts will enjoy.
Weight: It's extremely lightweight, making it a great choice for backcountry touring.
Favorite points: It's light for hiking, has excellent buoyancy in powder, and is suitable for a variety of snow conditions, so I have absolute confidence in it, especially in the backcountry.
Frequently used conditions
: January to mid-March
Location (slope, course, ski resort, mountain range, etc.): General backcountry
Conditions: Powder, wet snow, crust, etc.
[Reviewer]
Takeshi Kodama, 47 years old.
Not only in Japan, but also in polar regions, high altitudes, and remote areas... His lifelong goal as a skier is to ski to every corner of the world. He has launched a project called "Ride the Earth," visiting snowy mountains around the world and publishing a photo book.
Instagram> skiertake0728
ARMADA | DeclivityX
●Suitable scenes are rated on a 5-point scale
: Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★★☆
Hard pack: ★★★★★
Park: None
Moguls: None
Touring: ★★★☆☆
●Hardness impression on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→ ★5=hard)
Nose: ★★★★☆
Center: ★★★★☆
Tail: ★★★★☆
●Review
Features: Big mountain skis designed by Chamonix local Tof Henry. They excel on large slopes.
Handling and ride feel: While milder than the Declivity 108ti, they're also heavy, requiring a certain level of leg strength. On large slopes, they move just the way the skier wants, whether cutting through the powder surface and making long vertical turns or digging deep to create large sprays. On narrow hard-packed lines, you can drop the ski as vertically as possible and ski at high speeds while shifting, with little flutter and a sense of stability. Recommended for skiers with a certain level of leg strength who want to ski large slopes with a sense of speed, or for skiers with a background in alpine racing.
Weight: At 2,250g per ski (185cm), these skis are all about skiing, which seems to go against the trend of recent backcountry skis. When it comes to skiing, "weight is justice."
Favorite features: I like the stability at high speeds and the reliability in hard conditions.
Graphics and other: All of ARMADA's skis in the big mountain and touring category are characterized by a sophisticated and sophisticated design, and the DeclivityX is no exception, with a wonderfully elegant finish befitting a flagship model.
● Frequently used conditions
: December to March, high season
Location (slope, course, ski resort, mountain range, etc.) Hokkaido backcountry
conditions: Ice to hard pack to powder
［Reviewer］
Yasushi Chiba, 29,
is a self-proclaimed steepline addict. He mainly posts his riding videos on Instagram, flying over the cliffs of the mountains in Hokkaido and attacking narrow chutes, and has fans both in Japan and overseas. He also runs
deerhorn_poles," Supported by: Paddle Club, Armada
ARMADA｜ WHITE WALKER116
●Suitable scenes are rated on a 5-point scale
: Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★★★
Hard pack: ★★★★☆
Park: ★★★★☆
Moguls: ★★★☆☆
Touring: ★★★★☆
●Hardness impression on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→ ★5=hard)
Nose: ★★★★☆
Center: ★★★★☆
Tail: ★★★★★
●Review
These skis are a contrasting choice to the LOCATOR series. With a solid structure and a wide center width of 116mm, they offer stability and potential for high-speed skiing on large slopes and in powder conditions.
What's amazing about these skis is that they're not just buoyant; their unusually pointed pin nose and pin tail allow the skis to dig into powder, while their 3D sole structure, known as Smear Tech, allows the skis to glide, allowing you to freely adjust your skiing action. The
well-defined camber allows for high-speed carving using flex, so if you're tired of easy rocker skis, these skis are the perfect adrenaline-pumping option! While there's a preconceived notion that stiff skis are heavy, these skis are actually lightweight at just 1,800g (185cm). They're also easy to hike with, making them perfect for backcountry skiing or those treacherous winter trips.
● Commonly used situations:
A base camp is almost the only option during the harsh winter. It is a base camp for powder on the slopes, big lines on steep slopes, and powder days.
[Reviewer]
Kawaguchi TKY Takaya 39 years old
He took a leave of absence from university to train in freestyle skiing, and experienced the world's level of skiing while living in Whistler and Banff, Canada. He has visited over 50 countries with skis and a surfboard, including a round-the-world road trip. His curiosity leads him to travel to remote areas and meet ethnic minorities.
He also organizes BC tours and events in Japan to share the joy of skiing and traveling. He is the leader of the travel planning project ShareTavi. He is the main guide at Nozawa Onsen COMPASS HOUSE and a JMGA-certified BC ski guide.
Instagram: @tky_travel_skier
Extreme｜FINAL OPINION 118
●Suitable scenes are rated on a 5-point scale
: Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★★☆
Hard pack: ★★★★☆
Park: ★★☆☆☆
Moguls: ★☆☆☆☆
Touring: ★★★★☆
●Hardness impression on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→ ★5=hard)
Nose: ★★★★☆
Center: ★★★★☆
Tail: ★★★★☆
●The
overall flex is slightly stronger, resulting in less fluttering even on hard pack, and high-speed turns on groomed runs are also comfortable. Even in deep powder, the 118mm waist width and moderate rocker in the nose and tail make it easy to gain buoyancy. It's also easy to handle and stable even on rough off-piste, spring granular snow, and crusty snow. I also like how it's easy to shift and control at low to high speeds, allowing me to control it exactly as I want. These skis are suitable for a wide range of situations, so I recommend them to those looking for aggressive riding and easy-to-handle fat skis.
This is
the main model I use during the season for free runs on the slopes, tree skiing, and backcountry skiing in the high season. It's also ideal for skiing when conditions change throughout the day. Of course, it's a must-have on deep powder days.
[Reviewer]
Yuki Kuwahara, 40,
has lived in an area where it rarely snows since he was a child, and has had a strong desire for snow. He was first captivated by the joy of skiing at the age of 10. In high school, he spent time in the mountains as a park digger, and worked at a pro shop while competing in mogul competitions. After switching to half-pipe competitions, he competed in the World Championships and World Cup. In recent years, he has expanded his field to the backcountry and is currently competing in freeride competitions such as FWQ.
Instagram: @yu_ki_b
ICELANTIC｜SABA PRO 117
●Suitable scenes are rated on a 5-point scale
: Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★★★
Hard pack: ★★★☆☆
Park: ★★★☆☆
Moguls: ★★☆☆☆
Touring: ★★☆☆☆
●Hardness impression on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→ ★5=hard)
Nose: ★★★★☆
Center: ★★★★☆
Tail: ★★★★☆
●Reviews:
Full rocker skis are often shy.
SABAPRO skis have little of the top-tail flapping and edge grip loss that are typical of full rocker skis. The reason is that the "Reflective Rocker" allows you to set rails on the snow surface at an early stage. In addition to being great for powder skiing, we also want you to be able to carve on groomed slopes. Just by setting up rails, the skis are as smooth as a roller coaster.
Typical use:
Deep powder on mellow slopes in extremely cold weather
[Reviewer]
Yoshimichi Sasaki, 48,
is a professional skier from Hokkaido. His unique style and technique are respected by even current competitors, making him a legendary skier. He currently works as a judge for international competitions such as FWQ, and also produces parks. His favorite areas to ski are Niseko Grand Hirafu, Kiroro Resort, and Sapporo Teine Highland.
Instagram: @yoshimichi_sasaki
SALOMON｜ QST Blank112
●Suitable scenes are rated on a 5-point scale
: Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★★☆
Hard pack: ★★★★★
Park: ★★★★☆
Moguls: ★★☆☆☆
Touring: ★★★☆☆
●Hardness impression on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→ ★5=hard)
Nose: ★★★★☆
Center: ★★★★★
Tail: ★★★★☆
● Review
: In a nutshell, I feel a sense of security knowing that this board will do the trick. I often ski hard overseas, but I never feel uneasy with the board. The stable grip underfoot gives me a sense of catching the snow, increasing maneuverability. The wide point on the nose top is slightly forward, so it takes less time to catch the snow, allowing for quicker reactions. The nose and tail are not too stiff, making butter tricks easy to perform. Nose butters are especially easy because the wide point is closer, allowing for more pressure to be applied over a wider area. I don't have any concerns about riding in the park. Switching is also possible. The turns are fun, you can do butters, and you can really attack in freeride. This is one of my favorite boards. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to ski hard, from powder to hard snow. It also has incredible sharpness, unlike a 112mm center, so it's recommended for those who enjoy grooming.
●Usual conditions
for use: All seasons. Powder, hard pack, park.
[Reviewer]
Katsuno Tenran, 21 years old.
After ski school, moguls, and slopestyle, he moved to freeride. He is currently competing in the FWT and traveling around Europe in an attempt to win. He also works as an engineer and is involved in the brand toki.
