Atomic see the Vantage 97Ti as genuine everyday ski capable of anything; an ideal combination of power and agility with a versatile size and shape.
In practice the Ti label denotes a need for a pretty aggressive skier. There is a carbon-based model of the Vantage 97 which is softer (and £100 cheaper) and should be much more forgiving. This Ti model needs to be worked reasonably hard, but in fairness it certainly gives back what you put in!
That said it will happily cruise lazily if you're not trying to turn, but it does so a little lifelessly.
High speed feels super stable and long turns are its bread and butter. Landings raise a slight concern in that it sounds like there's very little dampening - landings come with a clatter! However, that isn't evident at speed or anywhere else; it is more than happy to get airborne, there's plenty of pop when pushed, and it is generally a very responsive ski. So that clatter is most likely a result of the stiffness of the construction. (Note, the carbon version has more dampening).
Anyone looking for power and versatility will love this ski; but playful and forgiving it is not. It's worth pointing out that this is Snow Magazine tester and all day hard-charger Graham Bell's weapon of choice for an all mountain, everyday ski, and that should speak volumes!
