Last tested
2024
Status:ongoing
2025

Backland 101 W

Ski of the year Tour
A versatile women's ski, perfect for freetouring. It's lightweight, stable and performs well in all conditions.
In brief
Suitable for
improving skiers, fun on all kinds of snow
Not suitable for
steep terrain
Also suitable for
long ascents
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  • Buyer’s Guide reviews
  • In words
  • Technical specifications

Buyer’s Guide reviews

Positioning
Handling
New school ski-tourer
Suggested curve arc
Medium radius
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On-snow performance
Hard / packed
Powder
Wind-blown / crust
Damp / wet
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The charts show our impressions from testing
Product info
Category average
Trip purpose
Height difference / Engagement
Performance / Line
Skiing / Slope
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Recommended use
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Recommended level
Technical Level
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
High level
Weight
lightmedianheavy
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In words

Intro
At Atomic HQ, FR is all about freeride touring, a super versatile line of fat-yet-light skis designed for agile ascents and dramatic descents. A brand-new line with two men's and two women's models, the 101 and 108. Its low weight (1,260 g / 2.7 lbs. in the 164 cm length) is further proof of just how multifaceted this ski is. And the brand is committed to reducing its environmental impact. Compared to the Backland 100 of two years ago, the 101 is made from raw materials that reduce CO2 emissions over the course of the product's lifecycle, using more sustainably-sourced wood and less fiberglass, metal and resin.
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On the snow
It was love at first ski. Lively and fun on all types of snow and terrain, the Backland 101 had us right from the very first turn. It's incredibly intuitive, and feels at home in all situations. The Powder Rocker combined with camber underfoot makes it particularly nimble and easy to handle, even for those just starting out. It's perfect for powder, thanks to the HRZN 3D tip, and also copes well with crud and chop. The full sidewall provides responsiveness on edge and, combined with minimal rocker at the tail, keeps the ski stable while providing plenty of bite. In ascent it's able to compete with much narrower models due to its ultralight poplar/carob core. Ideal for freetouring, even with plenty of elevation gain, or for tourers who want to try out freeride on an easy, fun ski.
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Lab
Slightly concave at the tip and tail, completely flat after 6 runs through the machine. No structure or wax. Reasonably good edges 1.7 x 1.6 mm, base edge 0.95°. However, there's lots of rust and they need sharpening. Protruding sidewall needs removing. Definitely needs tuning before use, especially the edges.
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Technical specifications

Construction
cap-sidewall
Materials
carob wood, poplar, glass fiber
Base
polietilene sinterizzato UHMW
Available sizes
156, 164, 172
Released in
2024
Made in
Austria
Price
759.99 €
Declared specsMeasured by us
We measured the length 172 to get all the details
172 cm
Length
XXXXX
129 cm
Tip width
XXXXX
119,5 cm
Tail width
XXXXX
101,5 cm
Waist width
XXXXX
N/A
Edge contact
XXXXX
N/A
Camber
XXXXX
N/A
Tip rocker
XXXXX
N/A
Tail rocker
XXXXX
1.260 g
Individual weight
XXXXX
N/A
Left weight
XXXXX
N/A
Right weight
XXXXX
18 m
Sidecut radius
XXXXX
N/A
Load-bearing surface
XXXXX
N/A
Tip torsion
XXXXX
N/A
Center torsion
XXXXX
N/A
Tail torsion
XXXXX
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