As with all the Atomic Maverick skis, the Maverick 88 Ti returns unchanged with the exception of a new graphic for its third consecutive year. Being the narrowest of the titanal laminate Mavericks, the 88 Ti is certainly the most frontside oriented. But that is not to say that it will not have prowess when taken off-trail as this all-mountain ski is extremely capable on all parts of the mountain. The 88 is a true standout in the saturated and popular ~90mm waisted, metal laminate, all-mountain ski category for its lightweight and maneuverable nature. Quickness is the word that is prevalent when we discuss this ski, but it’s important to note that it is not solely due to the waist width. Instead, quickness is brought up due to the combination of both its construction and overall, miraculously achieved weight. If you are looking for a nimble carver that has loads of off-piste capabilities, you are on the right track with the Atomic Maverick 88 Ti.

As with all of the Maverick skis, we get Atomic’s OMatic Core which consists of a poplar wood core, 2 fiberglass laminates, and 2 relatively thin laminates of titanal. The recipe for OMatic Core is the key for how this dual metal laminate skis obtains a weight of ~1800 grams per pair depending on the length. The poplar wood core and fiberglass laminates function to generate power and energy while the titanal laminates add some dampness and torsional stiffness for maximizing edge grip on firm snow. This core sits under a full sidewall construction underfoot which then transitions to Atomic’s Duracap construction when the rocker profiles begin in both the tips and tails. In the tips we also get Atomic’s HRZN tech which adds a nice amount of floatation for those soft snow days and contributes to its overall versatility. The tips of the ski are going to be quite soft in comparison to the tail of the Maverick which warrants forgiveness through uneven terrain. But the stiffer tail maintains stability when finishing turns and holding an edge on firm snow. All of this combines for a truly remarkable ski that provides not only carving performance, but also off the beaten path prowess.

The Maverick 88 Ti’s shape and sidecut are indicative of their frontside mindset, narrow enough for precise turning yet wide enough to accommodate softer snow. Starting with the overall profile of the ski, the 88 has 15% tip rocker, 75% camber, and 10% tail rocker. The profile is indicative of a long effective edge emphasizing frontside carving performance and is shared with the Maverick 86 C. There is significant splay in the tips that makes off-trail adventuring a no-brainer. As for the sidecut of the 176cm length, the 88 will have 124.5mmtip, 88mm waist, and 109.5mm tail which generates an 18.2-meter turn radius. This is quite long for a ski in this genre, but it works for how this ski likes to be skied. If the turn radius were shorter, the freeride influence would be left to the wayside and the ski would be closer to a dedicated carving ski such as the Atomic Redster. However, the Maverick desires to be skied with various turn shapes and that is easily accomplished by adjusting the amount of energy put into them by the skier.

With the 2024 season, the Maverick 88 Ti is coming in hot with a unique new graphic along with a tried-and-true build. Making it an excellent choice for those that are searching for a high-performing and precise ski without the weight of other more burly and hefty skis in the category. By targeting underfoot stability with the OMatic core and keeping swing weight to a minimum, Atomic has produced a very maneuverable ski that preserves power and balance. The true power of the Maverick resides in the tails as at the end of each carved turn, you feel them propel you into the next one making every run feel like the blink of an eye. Best suited for the advanced to expert skier in terms of performance, there’s still a high degree of approachability for all that are seeking to add stability and power to their skiing without the addition of weight.