The Atomic Vantage 95c is brand new for this season and part of the company's very fine Vantage freeride range.
Atomic have used a rather hyperbolic sounding 'Carbon Tank Mesh' in the construction of the Vantage to keep weight down, along with a flatter tail for better on-piste performance, and it seems to work - the 95c was an absolute blast to use both on- and off-piste, with noticeably smooth and fluid turns at both high and low speeds.
The lightness of the Vantage also helps you pop out of the turns easily, so fast, short radius turns are no problem at all, and the medium to stiff flex pattern of the ski gives it a neat, nimble feel that encouraged us to work it hard in pretty much any terrain.
The extra 5mm underfoot gives them more float in powder than the Vantage 90, as you'd expect. But they don't seem to lose out on groomed slopes, with a performance feel well in excess of what you'd expect from a ski this wide.
The more you put in the more you get out with the Vantage 95c, which means that although aimed at advanced rather than expert skiers, they shouldn't disregard them as a very good option if you're after some new all mountain skis.
