2012-2013 Atomic Ritual
On day three we woke to a little more new snow, and were able to get into some deeper untracked conditions off the Marte and Vulcano Lifts. In the three to four inches of denser, drifted snow, the Ritual still floated very well. Again, I experienced no stability issues shifting from denser to lighter patches of wind-affected snow and easy, predictable pivoting and slashing. This reminded me of how well the ski did in eight inches of heavier pow in the Jackson Hole sidecountry on The Nose of Four Pines in March. In both cases, it floated better than expected for a 103mm-waisted ski and was easy to maneuver given a 190cm length.
Later in the day on Marte, we got into some more technical terrain in the Erare Humanum Est chute. In the steeper terrain, where we found a mix of wind-blown powder and sloughed off chalk, the conditions were fairly demanding. I might have preferred a damper ski with a more traditional tail, like the Kastle FX 104, but the Ritual still held up well, remaining nice and responsive thanks to a relatively light swing weight.
Ryan Caspar, Errare Humanum Est, Las Leñas Ski Resort
Farther down the chute, the light wind crust thickened to a dense, two-inch cap in which the Ritual struggled. When I got in the backseat, I had to work to maintain control as the tails got caught up in the crust. If you need a ski to really dominate these sort of variable conditions, the Ritual may not be it.
In the lower section of the chute, we found some deeper, lighter snow where the Ritual again floated well. In the eight- or nine-inch drifts, I had a blast slashing pow up to create a few small face shots. The ski responded very precisely to those maneuvers. Nearing the bottom of Marte, I let the Ritual rip on a wide apron of 2-3” wind-drifted snow, where it was again comfortable and stable at high speed.
Bottom Line:
I like this ski. The Ritual can be easily slashed and skidded for reliable speed control and playfulness, but is still very suitable for advanced skiers looking for a substantial ski to use as an everyday all-mountain ripper for groomers to light powder. For intermediate skiers, this ski is forgiving and versatile enough to enjoy and grow into.
I have not had a chance to ski the Ritual in consistent, deep blower pow, trees, bumps, or off drops, and would like to continue to push this ski on steeper, open terrain where I can search for its speed limit. I have a feeling it will continue to do very well in these conditions, but will check back in after I have a chance to put some more time on it.
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August 30, 2012 at 9:50 am
Great review! Good to have some perspective on this ski that I’ve been eyeing for a while. Quick question.
My (09 unrockered) Gotama delaminated at the end of last season and I’ve been looking for a replacement. I’m a strong skier 6′ 1″, 175lbs skiing 65-75 days in telluride, co. I want something a bit more turny than my old Gotama with strong edge grip that I can use everyday in variable conditions all over the mtn. except for deep pow days when I’ll break out my shiro. Is the Ritual what I’m looking for?
September 5, 2012 at 7:35 pm
Will,
Thanks for reading the review.
I think the Ritual will be a great everyday ski for most Western resorts including Telluride.
The Ritual is versatile enough to shred everything from the Gold Hill chutes, to Prospect and Chair 9 laps. It will be great in smaller storms and will definitely get you through the days between storms.
With a turning radius of 20m compared to the 29m radius of the 183 Gotama, the Ritual meets your requirements for a shorter turning radius and as I mentioned it holds an edge well.
Hope El Nino is good to you guys!
September 5, 2012 at 9:46 pm
Thanks for the review! How do you think the ski compares to the Moment PB&J? I’m looking at both for an everyday CO ski to compliment some 186 Automatics.
Thanks.
October 3, 2012 at 9:12 pm
This ski sounds sweet for an all-mountain east coast ski, can we get an update on how it skis in the trees?
Also, I’ve been searching everywhere for how much these skis weigh, do you have a number?
From everything I’ve read, it sounds like these definitely work in hard pack, but do you think they will be fun in hard packed OR powder filled tree runs and variable condition runs?
Any words of wisdom would be appreciated!
Thanks for a great review so far!
October 5, 2012 at 3:40 pm
Josh
I mentioned earlier that this ski will be great for an everyday West Coast ski. I also think that for those individuals who are not afraid of skiing a 100+ waisted ski on bullet proof ice, this will be a fun E.C. one ski quiver. This ski handles hardpack well for a 103mm waisted ski.
I grew up shredding the likes of Sunday River and Cannon Mt, so I am no stranger to the conditions you will be encountering. Would I prefer a narrower ski for the brutally icy days? Yes. Narrower waisted skis tend to be quicker edge to edge so in the trees when the conditions are firm there are certainly more nimble, agile skis. That being said, the Ritual will handle those less enjoyable days well enough for how much fun they are in soft snow.
I did not report on how the Ritual skis in trees because there are none in Las Lenas. When I had the Rituals out in Jackson I was skiing more open runs.
I anticipate that the light swing weight and ease of slashing and slarving will allow the Ritual to maneuver well in the trees. I will get back to you once the snow starts falling in Jackson as to whether or not my predictions are true.
We have not had a chance to weigh this ski, but will let you know as soon as we do.
November 25, 2012 at 10:38 am
Hi! Great review by the way!
Would you recommend these as a one quiver ski for a lightwaight 180 cm high beginner? (70 % offpist and 30 % pist) If not, do you have any other recommendations?
Thanks.
December 19, 2012 at 1:20 pm
Hi Ryan,
Thanks a lot for the detailed reviews. They are all great and very helpful. Could you please help me choose between Cham 107 (184) and Ritual (182). I am looking for easy/playful powder skis. Moderate speed and turns. Skis that I would use if I have a chance to go heli-skiing in the Alps. I am OK skier, do a lot of touring with my other pair and also own a pair of racing skis of piste performance. So I need something specially for powder and tree skiing.
Appreciate your help.
victor
February 16, 2013 at 11:32 am
As usual; Great review. I bought the 190 Ritual and mounted it back -2 for deep snow performance. I like it but don’t love it and and considering going to the team line, it seems out of balance at -2. Your opinion would be appreciated. I like to pressure my tail and although I can and do like the slarving and pivoting of full rocker zero to little camber skis I do favor to be on edge and powering the tail.
Note: I am 5’11 185 lbs, 54 years old, very fit, love speed and charging hard. Live in Seattle and Ski Crystal and Stevens Pass. I have the Atomic Atlas in the 192 and love it for deep days, My quiver is : Fischer Motive 88, Ritual, Atlas. My friend owns World Cup Service Center and I am fortunate to be able to demo several skis. I loved the Salomon Sentinel (10/11) The Dynastar Legend 94(11-12) The Cham 107, love it in the 190, ok in the 184. Have been on several full rocker skis and have found I like a more traditional tail flat or twin, little to no tail rocker, love tip rocker.
February 20, 2013 at 11:10 am
Matt,
It sounds like we may have similar preferences for ski styles. Given your preference for a more traditional ski I am not surprised that the Ritual feels weird, especially at -2. I think you may still feel that way even after you ski the Ritual at the team line as it still maintains a new school feel with the rockered tail.
I also see your comments on the 190 Cham 107, thanks for the input. Sounds like I should get on the 190 version.
You might really like the 190 Fischer Watea 106 which I reviewed from Las Lenas. No tail rocker whatsoever moderate tip rocker for a 106mm waisted ski, wood core, vertical sidewall. After skiing this ski a lot this winter in Jackson I can confirm that you can haul ass on this ski. It floats well in up to 6 or 8 inches and can power through crud. I’ve also been skiing it alot when it has not snowed and it handles chalk very well too. I think it would complement your quiver very well.
February 16, 2013 at 6:06 pm
Hey Blister Crew, thanks for your unbiased reviews of gear-it’s good to know that not everyone has sold out!
I’m looking at picking up a pair of the Atomic Coax skis to replace my old gold volkl gotamas. I want a ski that can be predictable in variable snow, solid on slicked out steeps, good in pow, and generally fun all over the hill. I’d be using them for areas like Taos, Bridger Bowl, Silverton, Aspen Highlands- places that have a variety of great in-bounds terrain and lift-accessed hikable stuff.
Does the Coax fit the bill for this kind of skiing? I’m 5,10″ and 180#s- Thinking of finding a pair of 182s-does this sound right or would you rec. the 192s for all mnt. western skiing, tight terrain, chutes, trees, bumps…
Thanks
March 1, 2013 at 10:20 am
Ryan, Ritual Update: Since my last comments and your reply I have been on my Rituals twice. At Stevens Pass, Washington, both days were soft Boot top to knee deep powder-medium weight pow. I focused on skiing “New School” more pivot and smear. Bottom line is I now know why you like the Ritual. They were easy, fun, effortless, stable and fast. As the days turned more into soft chop the Ritual just ate it up, skied the bumps well and were great in the trees. I may move the biding up to the team line as I believe they will ski even better. I now love the ski.
Matt
March 2, 2013 at 10:08 am
Thanks for the great review. Are you able to offer a comparison between the Ritual and the Moment PB&J?
March 2, 2013 at 10:55 am
Lloyd, I have not skied the PB&J. Maybe Ryan or one of the Blister crew has.
Good Luck,
Matt
March 6, 2013 at 2:27 pm
I’ve demoed the ritual twice at copper mt, on the 2 deepest snow days this season (7″ and 10-11″) on power, chop and skied off western hardpack in late afternoon.
The ritual was my favorite I demoed. For me the more traditional-leaning quick edge to edge control of the ritual, carving, slipping or floating, was wonderful.
The snow here gets broken up after only a few runs on the frontside, so I’m not sure yet how the ritual does in all powder situations, but in powdery, choppy and then partly skied off bumps, and on the frontside cruiser runs, to this ski was a king, for me.
For me the ski’s one weakness is holding a fast gs type traverse on steep Western hardpack/ice. The tip flutters.
From my limited experience and ability, this would be at least a Western resort 3-10″ plus powder day ski, for the whole day, and the next, not just for the first runs.
From what Matt posted, it sounds like the ritual will do deeper powder days also. This matters to me, since I have no wider deep powder ski and would rely on the Ritual. Thanks.
Thanks.
March 20, 2013 at 8:25 pm
Hey guys, thanks for another great review. I live near Seattle, WA and typically ski either Alpental or Crystal Mountain. I’m 6’2″, 170#, age 16, advanced skier. How’s the swing weight on these guys?
March 28, 2013 at 7:02 pm
Hey thanks for the review guys! I was wondering about the stiffness of the tail. I ski 6 days a week and work skiing too. I switch between some Sickles and old atomic sugar daddies. These rituals look like a solid every day ski that I can tool around with. I love tail rocker, but It can’t be too soft for big mountain tele turns. Any words of wisdom from anyone who’s skiied them. I like to to ski steep techy lines in all snow conditions, would be using them for hardpack to 6″ and possibly touring.