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Atomic Access Ski

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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,455
Anybody skied these? I'm trying to find a powder ski for my Dad and saw these in the shop today. They seem like a really good ski for him but I haven't heard anything about them.


Little background bout mah Pops:
He skis Tahoe a lot, mostly Squaw Valley, and was actually a Patrolman back in the day. He's slowed down a lot because of age (just turned 60) and shitty knees from being a competitive runner but he still skies literally everything except cliffs. He's been on skinny Volkl all mountain skis (78mm in the waiste) for years and loves them but was amazed when he saw my CRJs.

Since he doesn't charge like he used to but still skis everything, I don't want to put him on a super stiff ski. I also don't want to put him on a ski with reverse side-cut since he goes back and forth to groomers a lot and is used to skis with lots of camber and side-cut. I don't want to make him COMPLETELY change up his style.


Anyways, I was thinking either these or the Salomon Shoguns but the Access seemed to have a bigger rocker and I already own the Guns which are virtually the same so I know how they ski. Anybody got some experience with the Access?
Jan 20 2011 9:11PM
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JRyder
Posts: 461 - Karma: 29

/threads.  i would like help with this too cuz i am literally in the exact situation as you.  my dad is like 46. been on shitty volkls. hes demoed the atomic access'.  he wants a pretty big rocker.  and like 100mm under foot.

Jan 20 2011 11:20PM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,455
I said SKINNY volkls, not SHITTY volkls.





Anyway, my Dad is 60, not 45, and wants a powder ski that can probably still out-ski your Dad.

Seems like a good ski, I'd just like to hear some first-hand experience on them...
Jan 21 2011 5:05AM
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Deviate
Posts: 273 - Karma: 240
I asked my friend down at the local store about these as I was curious about them as well. They are relatively similiar in dimention/rocker profile etc. to the atomic blog ski and a bit cheaper. He described them as basicly Atomic's price point backcountry ski. I've never tried these specific model myself, but I have good experiences with atomics wider range of skis. These skis will be way wider than what your Dad is used to, so they should work well. 
Jan 21 2011 5:52AM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6657 - Karma: 10,893
This was one of our fastest skis to sell out, almost as fast as the Bentchetler. 100mm waisted, full wood-core, stepdown sidewall, generous early rise in the shovel/tip. At last year's SIA demo, my old shop said this was their favorite ski of the test.

They run small due to the amount of early rise in the tip. I normally like skis in the 180cm range, I ski the 191cm Access.
Jan 21 2011 8:37AM
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ace_
Posts: 3189 - Karma: 39
the access and savage t.i were my favorite ski to plain ski out of atomics line up. highly recommended either of them
Jan 21 2011 2:46PM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,455
Thanks guys. Anyone else ride these?
Jan 21 2011 3:31PM
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Simmo
Posts: 512 - Karma: 28
How do we think the access would do as a touring ski?

Is it light? Stiff enough for the steeps?

Thinking about a pair for some spring touring
Jan 21 2011 4:20PM
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Twig
Posts: 6407 - Karma: 60,032
I haven't ridden the access, just throwing two other options out there.
I got out on the Armada TST today and I have to say I was pretty damn impressed. I only had a quick ride on them but I think they'd be a great ski for all mountain/pow riding. They carve really well, they did alright through the crud and they would definitely float with that tip rocker (I didn't get to ski pow). They ride fairly similar to a traditional ski on groomed too, so it wouldn't be the hugest change.
One of my dad's best mates (who is still a guide at 55) swears by the Volkl Gotama both on and off piste. Apparently they still carve really well because of the mellow rocker, they destroy mixed conditions and do great in pow too.

Jan 21 2011 4:26PM
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Slowbro
Posts: 3861 - Karma: 21,298
my friend has them, I just skied with him and they float well and he didn't have issues on groomers much
Jan 21 2011 4:28PM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,455
word, i was thinking about the Gotama too since he already likes Volkl. the Access is just so much cheaper albeit hard to find since everybody is sold out of them haha.


and ^^simmo, I'm pretty sure they're made to be a powder/entry level touring ski. when I felt them in the shop, they felt pretty damn light and were proably about the same flex as my old Salomon Guns. I think the new Shoguns are a litle bit stiffer than my Guns.
Jan 21 2011 4:53PM
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Twig
Posts: 6407 - Karma: 60,032
The top line of Volkl skis (I only have experience of the Wall, Bridge, Gotama, Chopstick) have a very specific 'Volkl' feel about them. They feel solid in a way lots of (most) other skis these days don't. Thats not to say they are actually any more durable, but they feel that way.
I don't know if thats feel carries to the non-twin line, but if it does and he likes that feel then the Access isn't going to give that. I've had a feel of them in store, ridden the Blogs and own Bent Chetlers and while I love them to bits, they don't have that same feel of solidity and dependability about them.
Jan 21 2011 6:49PM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,455
ACtually, I think he has some variation on the Vertigo G3s. Not sure how they translate. I convinced him years ago to switch over to Volkl from K2s and Rossi's his whole life. He hasn't touched his Bandit B2's since he got the Vertigos ha.


I'm just gunna have him Demo a couple different skis. Everybody has demos of the Goats and Shoguns but I'm kind of worried about finding an Access demo.
Jan 21 2011 7:24PM
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tripnip
Posts: 1882 - Karma: 482
my friend moms on them shes 64 she loves them
Jan 21 2011 7:52PM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,455
anyone else who can actually review their performance?
Jan 24 2011 3:54PM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,455
So after going to SIA and getting to fondle all the skis, I'm thinking he might dig the Night Trains. I've heard lots of good things about the Night Trains. Possibly the Blogs too but he skis Tahoe so the Moments would be more local and I'd get to steal them from him on the less than deepest days when I go out and visit haha.

any thoughts?
Jan 31 2011 11:48PM
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