2027 Atomic Maven 103 CTI

For 2027, the Atomic Maven 103 CTi gets a graphic change but returns otherwise the same. Atomic’s Maven 103 CTi is a strong, quick, and agile ski that’s built and shaped to blur the lines between freeride and all-mountain applications. They have a nice combination of light weight and powerful energy that attracts advanced and expert skiers who equally split their time between on-trail, off-trail, and softer snow activities. Atomic’s use of a sophisticated construction to go along with a mobile and swervy nature makes this a rare and unique ski in this category. It’s a great tree ski due to the agility, and then it pops right back on the trail for smooth and predictable carved turns. This can be a great one ski quiver for those in snowier zones but will likely be a softer snow addition to a more front-side oriented ski.

Atomic uses some nice sophistication and engineering in these skis. Built with a blend of poplar and ash in the wood core, the skis have a strong and sturdy backbone. The ash takes the place of additional metal, putting more of a natural feel and sound to the skis. The poplar keeps it light and mobile, providing fun and rewarding energy at a minimal amount of work. By placing metal underfoot and carbon stringers in the ski’s core, Atomic brings a high performance feel to the mix. We always talk about their HRZN Tech and how it can be applied to either the shape or the construction component of the ski. By shaping the tip of the ski like a boat hull, Atomic increases flotation without adding width. By thinning the tips with the HRZN laminate, they reduce the swing weight and increase the maneuverability. This is especially useful in the trees or other tight and technical zones. With a weight of 1610 g/ski in the 170, there's a good amount of agility here. Tester Rebecca Price notes that "This ski felt fun and playful right away, but what stood out was that it didn’t chatter on hardpack the way some wider skis can."

The footprint of this ski is highly useful for varying conditions and terrain. At 103 mm underfoot, the Maven checks a lot of boxes for a lot of skiers, especially those who spend most of their time searching for softer or deeper snow. Atomic uses their HRZN tech tips to complement a gratuitous rocker profile and taper shape. There’s more rocker in these 103’s than there is in the narrower 94’s, emphasizing the ski’s preference for more multi-dimensional snow. The lighter weight combined with the more dramatic profile of the ski makes for easy flotation but not quite as much power when crud and variable snow conditions are encountered. The 17-meter turn radius in the 170 is on the shorter side, making this ski feel more comfortable in moderate turns rather than super long ones. Price continues to state: "I’d absolutely want this in my quiver. This one made a very strong case for itself. I’d recommend it for all-mountain skiing with an emphasis on softer snow, mixed conditions, and off-piste terrain. At 103 mm underfoot, it should offer strong flotation, but it also held strong on hardpack, which adds to its versatility."

Like the mix of build and shape, these skis are highly useful overall. Ideally suited for advanced skiers, the Maven 103 CTi is a great choice for mixing snow conditions and terrain. It has good energy and snap to it, but it’s also got some nice stability and smoothness. While there are more powerful options out there for true crud busting and aggressive skiing, the Maven 103 CTi is enormously helpful for less aggressive skiers who like the ski to have a lot of energy. With the lighter weight, it introduces a potential for touring or hybrid skiing thus boosting the ski's overall versatility.