2012-2013 Atomic Access
Ski: 2012-2013 Atomic Access, 181cm
Dimensions (mm): 129.5-100-121.5
Turn Radius: 20 meters @ 181mm
Boots / Bindings: Lange Exclusive RX 90 / Marker Griffin / (DIN) 8
Mount Location: Factory Recommended
Test Location: Jackson Hole, WY
Days Skied: 6
(Editor’s Note: Our review was conducted on the 11/12 Access, which is unchanged for 12/13, except for the graphics.)
After last winter’s epic snowfall and rumors of a second appearance from La Niña (I’m still hoping she’s just fashionably late), I couldn’t help but do a little powder ski window-shopping last fall. It’s easy to think that bigger is better and get swept away by the array of beefy skis, but for some reason, I found myself curious about one of the slimmer options.
The Atomic Access can easily be overlooked on the sale wall when surrounded by its bodacious neighbors. Yet the majority of us don’t spend our time shredding big AK lines, which means that the more modest dimensions of the Access are pretty much ideal for the average skier.
At 100mm underfoot, the Access is one of the narrowest skis in Atomic’s powder lineup, and features tip and shovel rocker, traditional camber underfoot, and a non-rockered, partial twin tip tail.
New from Atomic last year, the Access came back unchanged for the 11/12 season. With the same basic geometry of the popular women’s Atomic Century, the Access is lightweight, playful, and very maneuverable. In a word, the Access makes skiing easy. The camber and sidecut make carving effortless, but the tip rocker enhances the Access’ performance in powder when the snow is deep.
During six days on the Access, I skied every type of terrain that Jackson had to offer, and I was impressed with the results. The snow in Jackson earlier this season let me hone my skills on icy hardpack, rock-studded bumps, and chundery off-piste snow. Although marketed as a powder ski, the Access excelled in these conditions.
For my first run on the Access, I went down Amphitheater trail, a wide groomer that just calls out for big GS turns. Initiating turns was effortless, and the skis were easy to control at both high and slower speeds. The camber of the Access extends into the tail, which made the ski really pop out of turns.
Considering that they have a medium flex, I was pleasantly surprised by how stable the Access was at speed. In addition, I wasn’t seeing a lot of tip flap like I have on other skis with more significant tip rocker, like the DPS Yvette.
Emily Cleveland, Rendezvous Bowl, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.
Although I usually ski a 168, the 181cm Access felt more like 171 because of the considerable tip rocker and partial twin tip. The slight taper of the tip and tail also made it easier to turn the longer ski.
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April 1, 2012 at 8:45 pm
I bought a pair of these (also 181′s) last fall and would have to completely agree with your review. I am a lightweight male skier, 130 pounds on average, strong level II/weak level III. Very fun ski with all of the characteristics that you pointed out but I hadn’t noticed the camber in to the tail although now that you mention it it explains a lot ha! I too found the tips a bit weak for my liking but overall for a lighter skier I would definitely recommend them. I don’t know what the actual weight is on these but according to my bathroom scale and mounted with Head Mojo 12′s they come in at 11.6 pounds which I didn’t find to be very fatiguing (all resort, no backcountry touring).
They ski short for their length as I have some 172cm Salomon Hurricanes and the Access feel shorter; easier to swing around. I’d guess low to mid 160′s. I noticed a fair amount of tip flap whenever I would open it up on groomers but not too distracting. The only conditions that I didn’t like them in was near-ice/icy conditions but then again…not what they’re for and it’s why I have the Hurricanes.
Thanks for doing this review as I couldn’t really find any when I purchased these! This site is a much needed fresh breath for gear reviews. Just picked up some 179 obSETHed’s as replacements for these Access mainly for the added width and hopefully better crud capability. And in hopes that next winter won’t be so miserable around the Summit/Eagle County areas ;) Thanks again!