#6 on this list
Maven 103 CTI
Atomic
The Atomic Maven 103 CTI is a freeride-leaning all-mountain ski tailored for women who spend substantial time off-piste hunting soft snow, powder stashes, and technical chutes. Designed to handle broader terrain palettes, it targets advanced and expert skiers who want a wider underfoot footprint without hauling an overly heavy, unyielding board. Atomic incorporates its CTI (Carbon Titanal) construction, combining a lively poplar wood core with strategically placed carbon stringers and a central Titanal insert. This setup generates a snappy, energetic response while keeping the chassis rigid enough underfoot to bite into firm traversing surfaces. The 103mm waist and rockered HRZN Tech tips maximize surface area, allowing the ski to plane quickly over deep, unconsolidated powder and absorb uneven crust. Because of its wider profile, the Maven 103 CTI requires more time and physical effort to transition from edge to edge on groomed runs. On firm, icy pistes, it lacks the surgical edge bite and instant turn entry of narrower all-mountain options. It is unequivocally built for soft-snow bias, making it less than ideal as a strict one-ski quiver for East Coast or dry-season resort conditions. **Highlights** - 103mm waist width excels in powder, crud, and off-trail bowls - CTI construction blends snappy carbon with a stabilizing Titanal inlay - HRZN Tech tip profile improves surface area and flotation - Energetic pop when exiting turns in soft snow - Capable dampness for off-piste charging **Watch-outs** - Slower edge-to-edge response on packed groomers - Overly wide for regions predominantly skiing firm, hardpack snow
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#7 on this list
Maverick 96 CTI
Atomic
The Atomic Maverick 96 CTI is aimed at advanced and expert skiers seeking a modern, directional all-mountain weapon that strikes a middle ground between charging stability and energetic feedback. It is well-suited for skiers who split their days evenly between groomer carving and tackling off-trail steeps, wind-blown crud, and glades. Featuring Atomic’s CTI construction, the Maverick 96 utilizes an OMatic core blending poplar, lightweight fiberglass, structural carbon, and a thin Titanal layer. This recipe gives the ski a stiff, damp spine underfoot while maintaining manageable swing weight at the extremities. The result is a ski that tracks securely at elevated speeds without the dead, leaden feeling characteristic of some dual-metal competitors, snapping out of turns with lively energy. However, the Maverick 96 CTI retains a stiff, somewhat demanding tail that does not tolerate lazy, back-seat skiing. If a skier gets knocked off-balance in tight bumps or dense forest lines, the tails can catch and punish late turn releases. It is an assertive tool that requires an active, athletic driver to extract its full performance potential. **Highlights** - Balanced 96mm waist handles groomers, crud, and moderate powder - OMatic core with CTI layup balances rebound and dampness - Predictable, locked-in edge hold through variable snow packs - Responsive tip shape engages turns cleanly - High top-end speed threshold for an all-mountain profile **Watch-outs** - Stiff tail can feel punishing if skiing from an uncentered stance - Requires strong physical input in tight, technical mogul fields
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Specs side by side
| Spec | Maven 103 CTI | Maverick 96 CTI |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Women's Freeride All-Mountain | All-Mountain Directional |
| Waist Width | 103 mm | 96 mm |
| Core Material | Poplar Wood | — |
| Reinforcement | Carbon and Titanal (CTI) | — |
| Rocker Profile | All-Mountain Rocker with HRZN Tech | — |
| Target Skier | Advanced to Expert | Advanced to Expert |
| Core Materials | — | Poplar, Carbon, Titanal laminate |
| Profile | — | All Mountain Rocker (Tip rocker, camber, flat tail) |
| Weight per Ski | — | Approx. 1,850 g at 180 cm |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
Maven 103 CTI
- CTI construction provides damp stability without excessive overall weight
- HRZN Tech tips deliver effortless flotation in fresh powder and tracked snow
- Directional shape provides dependable edge hold through variable crud
- Balanced rebound makes turn transitions energetic in soft snow
- Sluggish edge transitions compared to narrower all-mountain options
- Requires active driving and forward pressure to avoid washing out on hardpack
- Lacks the biting edge grip needed for firm East Coast boilerplate conditions
Maverick 96 CTI
- Damp, quiet tracking through high-speed crud and chop
- Lighter swing weight than traditional dual-sheet metal competitors
- Tenacious edge grip and energetic snap on groomed hardpack
- Balanced 96mm waist handles diverse resort conditions
- Stiff tail punishes back-seat balance and lazy mechanics
- Requires high physical energy in tight moguls and dense trees
- Limited pivotability compared to looser, twin-tipped designs
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