The BEST Ski You've NEVER Heard Of

[@Sokolva]

Have you considered signing up for this years Blister Summit, and recording or filming your reviews while demoing tons of skis? It’s the biggest event I know of for customers and reviewers to get on tons of skis from big and small brands and get to do runs in Crested Butte with pro and industry skiers, so that would be a super cool thing to watch on this channel! I know sign ups are going on now.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Oh I should look into that! There are a couple of brands that have been hard to find, so maybe that would help solve that problem.

[@Sokolva]

@@RicketySkiReviews that would be awesome I’d love to see it! Hoping I’ll be able to go this year as it’s something I watch online every year.

[@steviemt1]

I work in the ski industry as a ski technician and boot fitter. I totally agree with everything you say about these skis, they are fantastic . Would highly recommend

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Right on! Thanks for the nice comment. Cheers from Idaho.

[@brianverschoor1161]

You have officially made up my mind on the 88ti. Thanks! Now to figure out if I want to ski it short or not. Great channel!

[@coguy1987]

I just had my first morning on these skis and I love them. It’s early season in Colorado (11/23) and they are perfect for the hard pack and ice. I haven’t taken them in the bumps yet but they are snappy and I think they will be awesome. I’m an advanced skier, 178 lbs., skiing them at 176. Great choice! I think once more terrain opens up and there is more powder and natural snow I’ll probably switch to my Solomon QST’s. If I were an Eastern skier (I used to be) I would snatch up a pair of these. Got the 2022 version for $347 shipped to my door. You can’t beat that for this ski.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Omg, great price, I got mine for like $480 and thought I was killing it. Glad you liked them and hope to hear you like the QST's as well!

[@Sokolva]

8:10 I think there is something to be said here for the different experiences of skier weights and heights, and how these influence certain skis’ feel. Jeff is a lot smaller and lighter than you are. His height is 5’10 and his weight is 150 pounds, a man on the smaller side. You on the other hand are 6’1 and due to the great height difference I’d imagine have a significant weight advantage on him. There is a reason almost every in depth review brings up the reviewers weight and height before discussing their ski experience: it can greatly influence the way that the ski rides, bends, and how stable it feels. The Atomic Maverick is light and for a skier who is also light, I’ve heard this specifically can lead to the ski not having the same feeling of stability as a heavier ski because it can get knocked around more readily. I’ve seen women skiers who are particularly light who prefer skis that are on the more heavy side that they can still manage because it helps balance out their light body weight and give them this precision. It may truly be that the Maverick is perfect in its weight for your own body weight and power, and that you are getting the best possible performance out of it, but that some smaller people may struggle with this or find it’s lightness to be beneficial in some ways but negative in others. I just ran across this the other day when a ski that is a perfect flex level, very stiff and responsive for me at 5’3, 100-110 pounds, was reviewed positively but the larger woman rider found it was not stiff enough in crud, while women reviewers who were ex racers but who were my size, found it to be an excellent carver for what it was and very supportive in difficult snow conditions. I suspect much of this comes down to body weight!

[@RicketySkiReviews]

IMO Weight can affect the skiing experience to a point, what really matters is pressure and leverage. Zach is built much smaller than I am, and he had a very similar opinion on the Atomic Maverick 95 and 100ti's and K2 Mindbenders etc, because we're both former racers and loading up our boots to the point that we're fully flexing the ski. I would say as someone who has lost a significant amount of weight in the past few years, I honestly notice the biggest change just being in endurance in the powder and trees, I would really feel ups and downs of moguls and get tired hopping between trees, whereas now I don't really notice it until the end of the day. I would say in the example you gave, it's actually probably because those people were former racers. If you've raced you know how to load the ski and then trust it to hold it's shape you can cut through crud well, if you don't do this and you relax that downhill ski pressure out of fear, the ski will relax it's tension and get grabbed by the crud. Just my take from afar, but that was my experience daily driving these Atomic Mavericks, they may not be crud cutters like a K2 Mindbender or Volkl M6 Mantra, but as long as I keep that downhill ski loaded, it will cut through most crud, but you can't flinch like you can with those other skis. I hope this helped, maybe I will have to explain it better in a video. Thanks for the brain puzzler!

[@Sokolva]

@@RicketySkiReviews I’m sure you are right that skiing technique is a huge factor, though I still think that different skis function differently for very different weight skiers. I know for a fact that this is one of the most important contributions that female athlete skiers that are petite have added to the ski discussion on women’s and unisex skis offered in shorter lengths, snd one of the things that the Ski Diva forums help women skiers navigate. I think having a 100 pound or more difference with the same flexing materials underfoot with the same good technique will produce different experiences in most cases, with the 100 pound skier for example being supported by a ski that is pure poplar or poplar with some slender metal, while many male skiers of the same skill but larger bodies might feel more benefits from more metal underfoot or beefier wood cores. This is a debate that is going to continue for a while and is very much at the cutting edge of ski development, and every woman and every man is an individual so I think you are right, but that weight and body size is one of the most important factors for women ski development right now for a reason and it’s helped so many of us find skis both unisex, men’s, and women’s, that feel great for us.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Totally agree, I just mean to say that ability to flex and strength can really blur the lines of some of these. Similarly with height and leverage on the boot. Great Comment!

[@touchstar68]

I've been skiing on an Atomic Blackeye Ti for yonks, I'm going to demo this ski season in Japan.

[@philwistrom9200]

I just picked up these skis based on your review…can’t wait to give them a try in November in Breck.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Awesome, hope you love them!

[@philwistrom9200]

Keep up the good work! I enjoy your reviews!

[@frankcurcio6982]

Finally got a chance to ski my 100s in conditions it’s made for and wow. Now I’m considering the 88 for sure.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Awesome!

[@markweber4678]

Great review to open the video! And your commentary on Jeff’s review is helpful. Nicely done! 👍

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Thanks Mark!

[@94GUNDAM]

Nice review! This really makes me wonder how the Maverick compares to the Montero AR, as I'm trying to decide on what to buy. Have you by chance tried any of the Stockli all mountain skis?

[@RicketySkiReviews]

I have a review of the Stormrider 95 here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m36yoICdZst1jqcsi=ve7qUs4w7ih46HKy

[@flapjackson6077]

Dang dude, that’s good info! I always love hearing about great designs that went under appreciated. Seen them going for low 4s on the interwebs. 🤙

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Yeah, they're pretty heavily slept on, which is nice because they're are good deals now!

[@gregoftheweb]

I have the Vantages (previous generation) and love them too.

[@jackieonassis7438]

I personally think the Bent graphics look like a child's crayon work. I don't buy skis based on graphics, but I happen to think the Maverick graphics suit me better than any other ski on the market right now.

[@kikorras]

Great review and perfect since I am now looking for a new pair of daily drivers to go anywhere (coming from Stockli Laser AX 175cm and Voklk RTM 84 177cm). I am definitely interested in the versatility that these skis seem to have. Sorry if this is too much to ask, but I would like your opinion on length for these skis (I liked you video about lengths too!!!). I have seen that you chose the 176 for your height and weight. I am 5´11" and 155-160lbs, advanced skier that can ski 10-15 days per season, normally one week in the Alps and 3 or 4 days in the Pyrenees per season (both on and off piste, I have a pair of old QST106s for the rare big powder days). Should I go for the 176? Or would I better off with the 169s? Normally I would go with the 176 for the narrower skis, butthis being 88, I am not sure. Also I have been offered a pair of barely used 169s with a massive discount... Thanks in advance and keep on with the great videos!!!

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Just depends on what you want, I think 176 would be great all around, but if you wanted a bit of a peppier and responsive turn 169 should be fine too

[@SamWhitlock]

Would it make sense to size up to the 95 for the PNW conditions? The snow gets pretty heavy here, and if you bury a ski on a pow day, often times it ain't popping back out like in the Rockies / Alps!

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Hard to say if that would solve it, the horizon tech definitely can get hung up easier on wet snow, so hard to say

[@alexanderlin2022]

Awesome video, love all your reviews against SkiEssential. Could you make a video to talk about good carving ski that's a bit on the narrow side and for intermediate skiier who wants to learn and be good at carving? (for example, I really want to know if Elan 82 CTI is a good choice.)

[@RicketySkiReviews]

I just shot a video talking about this that you should see later this week, but I would look at the Fischer Ranger 90. Very easy turn initiation!

[@ryansmith3748]

Thank you Elliot for the review of Maverick 88TI; I just bought a pair of 2023's last week after talking to the Atomic Rep at the Snowvana. Was not planning on buying a new pair of skis but they were a good deal and could not pass it up. I see you have skied Mt. Hood which is my home mountain. What are your thoughts of how well the Maverick 88TI will perform at the resorts on Hood? I know you talk quite a bit about crud cutter skis for the PNW, do you think the Maverick's will do well in the conditions as a daily driver or would you recommend the K2 or Volkl as a daily driver for Hood? Or would you use the crud cutters mainly in the spring and the Mavericks in the winter?

[@RicketySkiReviews]

I have only skied them in Hood during the summer, I would probably try the mavericks out in the winter, I would guess they will be great, and then in the spring feel them out, and if they feel like they're getting too hung up on the sticky snow, look around for some mindbenders, by that point in the year skis will start going on sale anyways, so it will be perfect timing.

[@tomasaro4910]

Like your reviews. I have a pair of K2 89Ti but want another pair. Been looking at reviews and can’t decide between Atomic maverick 95Ti or Salomon QST 98. Live in Sweden, intermediate skier. Any advice?

[@RicketySkiReviews]

This is quite the riddle! I skied the French Alps in Chamonix just once last winter (Les Houches and Argentierre, sorry for any misspellings) I've been thinking about this for the last few hours before replying. I would say the Maverick 95 Ti is a ski I prefer more from the groomers and would have enjoyed more in the Alps Specifically. However, if you want a ski that is more different from the Mindbender 89Ti the Salomon would provide you more variety, and more flotation for Off-Piste Skiing: Here's what I would do, get a piece of paper, and write down the characteristics that matter most to you in this second pair of skis: (Powder Flotation, weight, carving, ease of turning) and then watch both of my reviews of the skis here: Atomic Maverick 95ti: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJvXhH-qo850mKMsi=qCrdrsHWqlodeQ-R Salomon Qst 98 (Sorry this video was one of my early videos): kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4LJf5d3fNlkgbcsi=7Whru9X08GRRPhKG This video I made is also more in depth about the QST 98: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qorSlKGAbrKJmMUsi=Biq-GFjMAjyTfhGc I hope this helps, thanks so much for your great question!

[@honuman39]

I hope you see this comment and respond. I've been considering buying the Maverick 88. I'm also looking at the Volkl Kendo 88, Armada declivity 88c and the Blizzard Anomaly/Brahma 82 or 88. I'm an advanced/expert skier that likes to charge the mountain but not overly aggressively. I like skiing groomers mostly with some moguls, glade and off piste skiing here and there. I like short quick turn carving mixed with some long carving turns. I've been on my Salomon Xscreams for 20+ years and it's time to upgrade. My style is older. I was taught to keep my feet together like Stein Erickson. It's harder for me to separate my feet and legs and as an older guy who doesn't ski as much I don't really want to change my technique. My biggest concern in buying new skis honestly is that I'll get my tips and tails knocking together and feel with some of the dimensions of the wider skis. I'm wondering what ski you'd recommend?

[@RicketySkiReviews]

I typically only make 1 on 1 suggestions for channel members, but from your list I would lean towards the maverick or try out the Brahmas, I haven't tried the Brahmas out in like 8 years so take that for what it's worth. Honestly you may consider trying out the Elan Ripstick 96 Blacks, Salomon QST 92's or the Blizzard Rustlers. I have videos on all of those skis.

[@honuman39]

@@RicketySkiReviews I appreciate the advice considering your business.

[@nathantoney.1501]

Just bought my wife the maven 93c. Fingers crossed she like them

[@ricklachaine5406]

I enjoyed watching your video. Very informative and got my curiosity on the Atomic Maverick 88ti. I currently ski on an Atomic Vantage 79Ti in 171 size, the version from when they last made them. I wonder how much different the Maverick would be to my ski? I ski 90% of time on piste. Considered very advanced/ border line expert, and I have no problem loading skis and wear Atomic Hawx Prime 130. Thank you in advance for your input.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

I went from the Vantage 90ti to the 88ti and can barely tell the difference, the mavericks have a bit more camber and are a bit less thick, but the overall shape is similar. The big difference imo is that the mavericks have about 10-15% more pop in and out of the turn, but if you like the vantage all the good stuff from those carried over. I actually still have my Vantage 90tis (2018?) kicking around for rock skis and still love them.

[@ricklachaine5406]

@@RicketySkiReviews thank you for taking the time to respond. Much appreciated.

[@psproduction9278]

I have trouble deciding witch length to order. I am average skier with 183cm height. Little bit worried the 184 is to long and maby 176 is to short😅 I also look at head kore 87 but cant decide which one to get🤔

[@tomkennedy4442]

Going to be purchasing the 88 mavericks but stuck on bindings. I know you are a fan of look but due to price and supply I’m looking at either the strive 14 GW or the marker griffins 13 ID. Not sure you know much about these two bindings or which you think has greater performance? (Advanved aggressive skier 180lbs) Any help would be much appreciated, love the videos

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Great question, Both those Din Ranges should be more than plenty and should perform equally well. As far as purchasing; I think either would be fine, on the demos I prefer the Salomon Strive over the Marker, but I think they're both more than capable, Markers along time ago used to be a bit iffy, but they've come along way since then, I know it shouldn't affect my decision, but I would probably pick the Salomon's over the Markers. For bindings I own, I tend to go with Look bindings, I just like how secure they feel, and I've been using since I raced 10 years ago. I picked up the Look SPX 12 for like under $150 during the summer you can see me talk about it here (Time Code 4:20): kzbin.info/www/bejne/onnUan6Cg9SoirMsi=eXfB4f_wQh6UruaH&t=260 If money's no object, I like the look Pivots a lot, but then again they're priced almost as much as a new pair of 2023 Salomon Qst 92's lol. Hope this was helpful, Thanks for Watching!

[@coloradolivin27.52]

Just demoed the Atomic Maverick 86c and was impressed ( they didn’t have the 88ti). How similar are the 86c and 88ti? Skiing in Colorado at Breck, Keystone, crested butte.

[@myowngig]

Yo Elliot, love your perspective on things... Do you know anything about the Kendo 88 and if so how would you compare it to the Maverick 88?

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Have not tested it yet, only reviewed the M6 Mantra, but the Kendo is top of the list to test for this coming winter. Here's my M6 Mantra react review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpKbda2git6CkLssi=wxNf6YwOtUNUY_DT and M6 Mantra review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4DUfoJ7oa56q8Usi=-y_IVkpb1CcZ-OSe

Aren't they awesome? Picked up a pair of 188cm Mavericks the year they came out. Quick, agile, stable at speed, nothing they can't handle.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

They really are great! I got a pair of 88ti's in 176 and they're my favorite ski I've ever had on my feet!

[@RaulTT1812]

Nice reviews. How would you compare the 88 ti to the 86 c and to the Elan Ripstick 88. I ski mostly in the alps, and I skiing all terrains and my current daily driver is a Rustler 9. I'm thinking about putting Shift bindings on them like I have on my rustlers.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Oh, I haven't skied the 86c or the Elan Ripstick yet so I can't give you a fair assessment, however they're top of my list for this coming season. I will say the 88Ti is the best ski I've skied on in my 30 years of skiing for what it's worth, just a perfect balance of all the things I like from a ski.

[@flipper3691]

Why are you saying: « if you ski on the East Coast and the conditions are very bad »… this is a joy of the East Coast, there are no bad conditions. Icy, no worries, powder, that’s fine, slush, ok, spring, sweeet, hard pack, sweet fast grippy day. You see, we don’t wait for anything specific, we just ski whatever there is the day we decide to get out. Huge no, no, for me? Rain followed by a cold snap… I used to ski those, not anymore. After 43 years of skiing, you get tired of some stuff. But no, there are not that many bad skiing days, just a mountain covered of snow that can be natural or manmade of varying texture. Going fast, feeling the g force in the turns on razor sharp edges is quite the feeling. I can still have fun in powder on totally dull edges and en joy the day.

[@jerl.980]

I am ordering a pair for my son but not sure about length. He is 5.8 145lbs intermediate. Hesitate between 169 or 176. Do thwy ski short or long ?

[@RicketySkiReviews]

I'm 6'1" 230lbs and I ski the 176. I like my skis a bit shorter to carve. imo the 169 should be plenty but I think either one should be fine.

[@flapjackson6077]

As a dad and former recreational skier, I suggest a shorter ski. It’s much easier, and more fun learning proper technique on a shorter ski.

[@richarddavis748]

Great reviews 👍

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Thanks so much!

[@juancibert]

Is this too stiff for an intermediate skiier ? I weight 188 pounds and i’m 5’10” tall. Thanks !

[@mikewilson9153]

I need your help. At 6ft, 195lbs, advanced skier. I can’t decide on the length for these 88 ti’s. I ride a lot of blues-in out of the trees and dabble with diamonds the rest of the time. Live on the west coast and ski 75% of the time at Kirkwood. What would you length recommendation be?

[@RicketySkiReviews]

I'm at 6'1" with 235lbs. I chose 176's because they're snappy and can give me a Slalomish and GS shape. That's just my opinion but I love them at 176. I would probably still feel comfortable as short as 172, or as long as 182. It just depends on what you want, but I personally like my skis a bit on the shorter side rather than longer, because I like the responsiveness and room to navigate the trees. Just my 2 cents but I hope that helps! Thanks for watching!

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Does anyone know how similar or different this Atomic Maverick 88 Ti is to the Salomon Stance 90? The tip/tail rocker and camber ratios are nearly identical, the turn radius per length is nearly identical, the weight is very close from what I can discern.

[@eliase8290]

Is there any difference between the 88ti 2021/2022 and the 2022/2023 version despite the graphics?

[@RicketySkiReviews]

I don't believe so no

[@PhilipLaLonde]

You owe it to your viewers to try the Kendo.

[@designsojourn]

Hi! I’ve been watching a lot of your videos, thanks for posting! But you might want to jump on Reddit and the general consensus is this ski sucks, hard to ride and is not forgiving. In fact many talk about the Enforcers or the Mindbender as better or more forgiving options. This is completely opposite to your analysis. You love this skis, but what are some of the downsides of this ski, and in what situation are the Ripsticks or Mindbender better options? Thanks!

[@RicketySkiReviews]

I talk about this in other videos, but I can say that these don't do a fabulous job in the wet sticky snow, because they're so light they carve and float well, but in places like the PNW or the East Coast in the Spring, these are so light they can get hung up a bit. That being said, I have been following the Reddit ski community, they do a good job, but are sometimes on the other hand very what I would describe as "confidently incorrect". All I can say is that I actually skied them and own a pair and they're amazing in Idaho and UT. I also liked their predecessor the Vantage 90ti when I reviewed them back in Loon NH years ago. At the very least, I would say if you like that kind of ski style just give it a try if you get the opportunity. Here's my more full review from this past June at Mt Hood: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJvXhH-qo850mKMsi=tYqSJjnly1bTjb7N Always happy to talk about the downsides of skis, but honestly the drawbacks are pretty small on this ski if you like carving in my opinion.

[@designsojourn]

@@RicketySkiReviews Thanks for your wonderful reply! I ski often in Niseko Japan, the land of the legendary powder. On their groomers, it is actually very powdery. The Irony. It's a flat powdery surface, not corduroy. I often go into the trees and around the groomers but don't ski off-piste, as in big mountain powder. So I am looking at this 100Ti as I would want some carving but more floatation. What do you think?

[@larsw.larsen4173]

What about the Maveric 86C - without Ti?

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Have not skied them yet, but hoping to this winter.

[@virgilbrown9308]

How mush different do you think the maverick 86 c is from the 88 ti

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Great question! I have not skied on the 86c, but I will add them to my list, I would guess they'll have less stability in the platform and will have less of a threshold for holding force, but that's just my theory. Sorry not a very satisfying answer but want to be honest with you.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

See my full review here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJvXhH-qo850mKMsi=HpO4B0PV4Re0hkjI

[@ljshoreslokal]

Think about it this way. He's not wrong and you're not right. It's his opinion against his opinion and he has a different body type and ski style than you. Check your ego. It's just your opinion and I thank you for it.