Atomic Vantage 90 Review

This is my review of Vantage 90. In my opinion, it is a strong all-mountain ski that comes with excellent stability, durable construction, and responsiveness at the cost of some powder performance and maneuverability.

Keep reading to learn more about the pros and cons of this ski, who it is best for, and other similar alternatives to consider.

Quick Summary

• Where to buy: Amazon
• Best for: Those who want a lightweight carving option that skis easy. Also great for people who like energy and responsiveness at a range of different speeds.
• Pros: Prolite construction with key reinforcements throughout the design. A light-but-tough build. The skis are easy to use, while the core provides stability and cuts down on vibrations to create a smooth ride. Reliable downhill performance and good control.
• Cons: Not great in powder. Struggles at tight turns. Could be much more maneuverable.
• Alternatives: Rossignol Sky 7, Faction Agent 2.0, Blizzard Bonafide 97

Why Trust Me

I’ve been hitting the slopes since I was a kid. I enjoy getting out in the snow and have hands-on experience with a wide range of different skiing items. I spent ample time researching these skis by looking at their various features and traits to see how they hold up and withstand a wide range of different slopes and environments.

Detailed Review of Atomic Vantage 90

The Vantage 90 is a tougher ski that, despite its lightweight build, can handle both hardpack and crud with ease. It’s snappy and precise, two traits that help it out on the groomers, but is also incredibly forgiving when you just want to cruise. The solid construction helps with stabilization and allows you to really push. Though the ski isn’t the best on fresh snow due to a lack of floatiness, it still handles most runs with ease.

Powering Through Crud

The Vantage 90 is a solid ski through and through. That not only gives it strong durability, as explained below, it also ensures it has what it takes to power through ungroomed terrain. It’s quick edge-to-edge and can ride up and over shaky runs. This ski can hold its own on groomers, but it excels even when you get out into more difficult areas where you need an extra bit of power.

In that way, the ski seems made for going off-piste. It handles uneven snow, refrozen hardpack, and all sorts of more challenging obstacles without so much as a second thought. You get a lot of responsiveness in such situations as well. That combination makes it a solid choice for people who don’t get a lot of ideal conditions.

Not for Powder

Unfortunately, as great as the Vantage 90 is at dealing with hard or uneven snow, it’s not as great in fresh stuff. When it comes to powder, the pair simply doesn’t have the float to stay on top. There’s less rocker in the tip than you’ll find in other models. The lighter design also focuses more on power than it does on ensuring you can deal with new snow. If you want to hit powder or actively seek it out, you’re likely going to want a more precise model.

Excellent Stability

This is a stable ski. Though some models tend to chatter or lose control when you start pushing, the Vantage 90 is an option that will hold up at just about any speed. That’s good news for riders who like to go fast or push their limits. There’s a strong platform underfoot, and this is yet another testament to the ski’s incredibly tough interior design.

The Titanium Tank Mesh manages to stabilize the skis without putting on any extra weight, and the wood core keeps you stable while actively cutting down on vibrations as you gain speed. That’s then backed by a significant edge hold and some of the best responsiveness on the market. The ski is a smooth ride when pushing down a run, as well as when you want to carve.

Construction and Weight

Durability is another area where the Vantage 90 shines. To give the ski its tough functionality, Atomic outfitted it with a lot of features. That includes full sidewalls down the entire ski, Energy Backbone, a Titanium Tank Mesh A layer, and a power wood core made from ash and poplar. All of that comes together beautifully to create a long-lasting ski that’s made to push through run after run without ever wearing down.

What’s even more impressive about that inherent strength is the Vantage 90 also manages to cut weight in the process. Rather than going for big and bulky, the skis are light with specific reinforcements in certain areas. That enables them to work exactly as intended without slowing or weighing you down. The prolite construction is particularly impressive in that regard.

Price and Value

As a hardpack option, the Vantage 90 offers a lot of value. It’s sturdy, gives you great traits, and comes in at a reasonable price below a lot of the competition. However, it does lack a little bit in the versatility department and can’t handle powder. For that reason, it’s not the best-value all mountain option, but it is good if you want something you can mainly use on tougher turns. There’s also a 2-year warranty for those that want a bit of extra cost protection.

What I Like

My favorite aspect of the Vantage 90 is its stability. Not only does it help reduce vibrations through its ash and poplar wood core, but the general build keeps your ride smooth at just about every speed. Where many models have a lot of chatter or struggle at keeping you comfortable at different speeds, the Vantage’s sturdy build ensures you stay in control on all terrain.

Something else I appreciated about this ski is the overall durability. The titanium tank mesh layers go a long way in this regard, and they perfectly complement the energy backbone to ensure you get plenty of reinforcement throughout the skis. The stiffness holds up, as do the general materials. I’m especially fond of the prolite construction because it gives you a slim, light profile that doesn’t sacrifice power.

What I Dislike

The Vantage 90 is a ski that didn’t do it for me in the maneuverability department. Though it’s not the worst-turning item out there, it definitely has restrictions when moving at higher speeds. Sometimes the turns are crisp and clear, and sometimes it’s tough to get the pair to do what you want. That can be a huge letdown, especially for hard-charging skiers who want to get out and get after it on the slopes.

The way the ski handled powder also left something to be desired. It’s a pretty well-rounded ski, but the lack of handling soft stuff means you don’t get the true versatility noted in other models.

The Alternatives

As great as the Vantage 90 is, it definitely could be more well-rounded. If you want a ski that brings something else to the table without being too different, all of these models will provide you with good results:

• Rossignol Sky 7 – The Sky 7 (review) is a great lightweight ski from a trusted brand. It’s a freeride option with a lot of floatation, playfulness, and a surprising amount of power. If you want something with a bit more versatility in hard and soft snow than what you’ll get with the Vantage 90, this is a great way to go.
• Faction Agent 2.0 – The Agent 2.0, similar to the Vantage 90, is a lightweight ski that can handle many different conditions thanks to its strong shell. This has a lightweight karuba wood core backed up by strong edges, thick bases, and tough topsheets. It’s easy to control, has good power transfer, and comes with an excellent strength-to-weight ratio.
• Blizzard Bonafide 97 – The Bonafide 97 is an excellent ski for those who put a lot of stakes in all-mountain versatility. This maneuverable pair is agile and can do just about everything you need it to, including moving through crud to swiftly cruising over untouched powder. The core is solid and stiff, and there’s a lot of flex throughout the design.

Final Words

The Vantage 90 is a unique ski that has a lot going for it. It’s durable, provides good value at a reasonable price, and has reliable on-snow performance both in and off the resort.

Though it doesn’t quite have the agility or the powder performance seen in other all-mountain options, it’s incredibly stable and fun to ride. If you want a powerful option with a bit of versatility and a lighter design, this is a perfect pick.