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 on a 5-point
scale Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★☆☆
Hard Pack: ★★★☆☆
Park: ★★☆☆☆
Moguls: ★★☆☆☆
Touring: ★★★★★
●Please rate the perceived stiffness on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→★5=hard)
Nose: ★★★☆☆
Center: ★★★★☆
Tail: ★★★★☆
●Review
Features: This is Atomic's flagship backcountry model, boasting maximum buoyancy and performance.
Handling: Easy to control the tip and easy to maneuver, making it an easy ski to handle.
Riding Feel: The ski has good stiffness from the center to the tail, allowing it to glide smoothly, giving it a riding feel preferred by experts.
Weight: Extremely lightweight, making it ideal for backcountry touring.
Favorite Points: Lightweight for hiking, excellent buoyancy in powder, and capable of handling various snow conditions, making it an absolute favorite, especially in the backcountry.
● Common usage conditions
and time of year: January to mid-March
Location (slope, course, ski resort, mountain area, etc.): All aspects of backcountry
Conditions: Powder, wet snow, crust, etc.
[Reviewer]
Takeshi Kodama, 47 years old,
has a lifelong goal of skiing not only in Japan but also in polar regions, high altitudes, and remote areas... to ski to every corner of the world. He launched a project called "Ride The Earth - A Journey of Skiing the Earth," traveling to snow-covered mountains around the world and publishing photo books.
Instagram>skiertake0728
ARMADA | DeclivityX
●Suitable scenes on a 5-point scale
Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★★☆
Hard pack: ★★★★★
park: None
Moguls: None
Touring: ★★★☆☆
●Please rate the perceived stiffness on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→★5=hard)
Nose: ★★★★☆
Center: ★★★★☆
Tail: ★★★★☆
●Review
Features: These big mountain skis are supervised by Chamonix local Tof Henry. They excel on large slopes.
Handling & Ride: Compared to the Declivity 108ti, they are milder but heavier, requiring a certain level of leg strength. On large slopes, they allow you to carve long, vertical turns while cutting through the powder surface, or create large sprays by pressing down deeply, moving exactly as the skier desires. On narrow lines in hardpack, even when sliding the skis as vertically as possible and skiing at high speeds, there is little chatter, and they offer stability. Recommended for skiers with a certain level of leg strength who want to ski with speed on large slopes, or for skiers with an alpine racing background.
Weight: At 2,250g per ski (185cm), this ski is completely focused on skiing performance, going against the recent trend in backcountry skiing. In skiing, "weight is justice."
Favorite points: I like its stability at high speeds and its reliability in hard conditions.
Graphics and other details: All of ARMADA's big mountain and touring skis are characterized by their understated and refined design, and the DeclivityX is no exception, beautifully and elegantly put together as a flagship model.
● Common usage conditions
and times: High season from December to March.
Location (slope, course, ski resort, mountain area, etc.) Hokkaido backcountry
conditions: From ice to hardpack to powder.
［Reviewer］
Yasushi Chiba, 29,
self-proclaims himself a steepline addict. His riding, which involves leaping off cliffs in the mountains of Hokkaido and tackling narrow chutes, is mainly shared on Instagram, and he has fans both domestically and internationally. He also runs "deerhorn_poles,".
Supported by: Paddle Club, Armada
ARMADA |WHITE WALKER116
●Suitable scenes on a 5-point
scale Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★★★
Hard Pack: ★★★★☆
Park: ★★★★☆
Moguls: ★★★☆☆
Touring: ★★★★☆
●Impression of stiffness on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→★5=hard)
Nose: ★★★★☆
Center: ★★★★☆
Tail: ★★★★★
●Review:
This ski offers a contrasting alternative to the LOCATOR series. Its solid construction and wider 116mm center width provide stability and potential on high-speed slopes and in powder conditions.
What's amazing about these skis is that they not only have great buoyancy, but their unique pointed shape—a pin nose and pin tail—allows you to dive under powder, and the 3D structured sole called SmearTech lets you glide, allowing you to freely adjust your actions while skiing. The
pronounced camber also lets you experience high-speed carving using the flex, so if you're tired of easy rocker skis, try these adrenaline-pumping skis! You might have the preconception that stiff skis equal heavy skis, but these skis are incredibly solid yet surprisingly lightweight at 1800g (185cm). They're also great for hiking, making them perfect for backcountry skiing or winter adventures.
● Common Use Situations:
Backcountry skiing in the depths of winter is pretty much limited to one option. Plow slopes, big lines on wide slopes, and backcountry skiing on days when powder is available.
[Reviewer]
Kawaguchi TKY Takaya 39 years old
He took a leave of absence from university to train in freestyle skiing, experiencing the world level through bum life in Whistler and Banff, Canada. He has visited over 50 countries with skis and a surfboard in hand, including a round-the-world road trip. He continues to travel to remote areas and meet indigenous peoples, following his curiosity. He
also organizes BC tours and events in Japan to share the joy of skiing and travel. He is the founder 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 on a 5-point
scale Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★★☆
Hard Pack: ★★★★☆
Park: ★★☆☆☆
Moguls: ★☆☆☆☆
Touring: ★★★★☆
●Please rate the perceived stiffness on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→★5=hard)
Nose: ★★★★☆
Center: ★★★★☆
Tail: ★★★★☆
●
Overall, the flex is slightly strong, resulting in less chatter even on hardpack, and high-speed turns on groomed slopes feel great. Even in deep powder, the 118mm waist width and moderate rocker in the nose and tail make it easy to generate buoyancy. It's also easy to handle and stable in rough off-piste, spring slush, and crusty conditions. I also like how easy it is to slide at low to high speeds, allowing me to control it exactly as I intend. This ski is suitable for a wide range of situations, so I recommend it to anyone looking for an easy-to-handle fat ski for aggressive riding.
● Common Usage Situations: This
is my main model for use throughout the season, including freeriding on groomed slopes, tree riding, and backcountry in the high season. It's also ideal for when conditions change throughout the day. Of course, it's a must-have on deep powder days.
[Reviewer]
Yuki Kuwahara, 40 years old.
He grew up in a region where it rarely snows, and has always had a strong yearning for snow. At the age of 10, he was captivated by the joy of skiing for the first time. In high school, he worked as a park digger, spending time in the mountains and competing in mogul competitions while also working at a pro shop. After switching to halfpipe, he competed in the World Championships and World Cups. 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 on a 5-point
scale Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★★★
Hard Pack: ★★★☆☆
Park: ★★★☆☆
Moguls: ★★☆☆☆
Touring: ★★☆☆☆
●Please rate the perceived stiffness on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→★5=hard)
Nose: ★★★★☆
Center: ★★★★☆
Tail: ★★★★☆
●Review:
Full rocker skis are often avoided. However,
SABAPRO skis have less of the tip and tail chatter and edge grip loss that are typical of full rocker skis. The reason is that the "reflective rocker" allows you to set the rails on the snow surface at an early stage. It's great for powder, of course, but we want you to carve through groomed slopes. Just by setting the rails, it's a ski that makes you feel like you're riding a "roller coaster" as smoothly as possible.
● Common usage scenarios:
Deep powder on mellow slopes during extremely cold weather.
[Reviewer]
Yoshimichi Sasaki, 48 years old,
is a professional skier from Hokkaido. His unique style and technique have earned him the respect of even current competitors, making him a legendary skier. He currently judges international competitions such as FWQ and also produces ski parks. His favorite ski areas include Niseko Grand Hirafu, Kiroro Resort, and Sapporo Teine Highland.
Instagram:@yoshimichi_sasaki
SALOMON |QST Blank 112
●Suitable scenes on a 5-point scale
: Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★★☆
Hard Pack: ★★★★★
Park: ★★★★☆
Moguls: ★★☆☆☆
Touring: ★★★☆☆
●Rate the perceived stiffness on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→★5=hard)
Nose: ★★★★☆
Center: ★★★★★
Tail: ★★★★☆
●Review
In a word, this board gives you a sense of security that "you can do it." I often ride quite hard overseas, but I never feel insecure about this board. The grip underfoot is stable, so you feel like you're catching the snow surface more, which increases maneuverability. The wide point of the nose tip is slightly closer to the front, so it takes less time to catch the snow surface, allowing for quick reactions. The nose and tail aren't too stiff, making butter tricks easy. Nose butter in particular is easier because the wide point is closer to the front, allowing you to apply pressure over a wider area. There are no particular issues with riding in the park. Switch riding is also possible. Turns are fun, you can do butter tricks, and you can go all out with freeride, so it's one of my favorite boards. It's definitely recommended for people who want to ride hard, from powder to hard-packed snow. Also, it's a board that cuts surprisingly well for a 112mm center width, so it's recommended for people who like grooming.
● Common Usage Situations:
Suitable for all seasons. Can be used in powder, hardpack, and the park.
[Reviewer]
Tenran Katsuno, 21 years old,
progressed from ski school, moguls, and slopestyle to freeride. He competes in the FWT, traveling around Europe in pursuit of victory. He also works as an engineer and runs the brand toki.
