Top Powder Skis 2013: Atomic Automatic
ATOMIC AUTOMATIC
With its broad tip and tapered, more gently rockered tail, this new hybrid ski lives up to its name—playful in the pow and stable even as it plows through crud. The flagship of Atomic's Freeski collection, the Automatic represents the midway point between the freestyle-oriented Bent Chetler and the hard-charging Atlas, which means it should handle all conditions, and most testers agreed. "It's all in the name," said Backcountry, "could be too easy." SKI, who gave it the Gold Medal Gear Award, found it reluctant to carve on hardpack, but called it "...an aircraft carrier," powerful and smooth in powder.
Best For: Sweeping, flowy turns on big powder days
Overall: 3.41 | Float: 4.11 | Stability: 3.24
Length (cm): 179, 186, 193
Tip/Waist/Tail (mm): 130-117-119
$929; atomic.com
Buy It ($750 at backcountry.com)