REASONS TO BUY
Inexpensive
Easy to ski
Versitile
REASONS TO AVOID
Not for the heaviest or fastest women
Only handles light pow and crud
Updated Graphics
The latest topsheets for the Vantage 90 TI W are shown above.
December 2020Atomic Vantage 90 Ti - Women's Review
A perfect ski for someone eyeing up new terrain, who will only venture off-piste in easier conditions
Credit: manufacturer
RELATED: Best Skis for Women of 2025
Our Verdict
The Atomic Vantage 90 Ti W didn't win any of our awards, but that doesn't mean it's not a great ski. This is an ideal ski for an upper-intermediate to advanced skier who is beginning to tackle new terrain and snow conditions. The Atomic could be a perfect first ski purchase or do-it-all quiver of one. It is supportive and reliable in a variety of domains, particularly at slower speeds and in milder snow conditions. The Atomic doesn't excel at speed, or in deeper powder or crud. However, if you're looking for a guide to chaperone you as you delve into new surroundings, this is a fantastic intro to off-piste ski.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Atomic Vantage 90 Ti W has a lot of things going for it. Had it not been compared to such indomitable skis as those in our list, it would sit higher in our charts. For a lady who is just starting out in the ungroomed world though, the Vantage 90 Ti is ideal.
Performance Comparison
The Vantage 90 is a perfect ski to accompany a lady on her first forays into powder, moguls, crud, and trees. If you're already comfortable off of the groomers though, you may prefer something more exciting.
Credit: Scott Rokis
Stability at Speed
With a 90mm waist, created by a company with a history in ski racing, the Vantage 90 Ti has a build that lends itself to higher speeds on smooth snow. On a groomed pitch, the Vantage Ti holds an edge with grace, only skittering if the snow is quite slick or if the speeds are more extreme. When venturing out into the crud, it prefers a mellower pace, dancing delicately on top rather than blasting through. When making quick short turns, it performs well. It feels secure when making a tighter radius turn, and doesn't try to escape and run straight.
The Vantage 90 Ti provides plenty of stability at medium speeds but starts to fumble a bit when turned up to 11.
Credit: Scott Rokis
Carving
The Vantage 90 Ti is a ski made more for carving than for other endeavors, and it performs fairly well here. With a 17.6m turn radius, it happily arcs a medium-sized turn across groomed pitches and packed snow. For the upper-intermediate skier who is perfecting their carving capabilities, this is an excellent coaching ski. It will reward you when you make the right moves, but will also be an adequate guide to other turn-types and terrain.
If you are already carving up a storm, and enjoy doing so at higher speeds, the Atomic Vantage will have trouble keeping up and start to chatter.
The Atomic loves to carve, and has a nice flex pattern that would allow an intermediate skier to feel the joy of a pure carved turn.
Credit: Scott Rokis
Powder
Regrettably, the Vantage 90 Ti is at a slight disadvantage out of the gates in this category. It is among the narrowest skis of the bunch. With only a 90mm waist, it is not anatomically ideal for flotation in the deep stuff. Additionally, our testers wanted a longer ski to provide greater flotation in deeper snow, but the 169cm we tested is the longest Atomic produces in this model.
The Atomic is a fine choice for those looking to explore a bit of freshness, in conditions up to 6 inches of light powder. However, when put to tougher tests in deeper, heavier Sierra cement, it simply couldn't pass muster — continually diving down and throwing us over the handlebars.
Unfortunately, the narrower waist and shorter length of the Atomic meant that in deeper, heavier snow, the skis buried themselves and subsequently their rider too.
Credit: Scott Rokis
If you're only looking to occasionally ski light powder, the Atomic is acceptable. If all you want to do is slay knee-deep pow, then you may desire something more powder-specific, such as the Rossignol Soul 7 HD W.
An ideal ski for someone looking to venture into ungroomed snow for the first time, the Atomic can handle up to 6 inches of light powder.
Credit: Scott Rokis
Crud
Again in the theme of this ski being a great guide in new terrain, the Atomic performed decently in chunky post-storm snow, but it does not excel. At 8.3lbs per pair, this model is actually on the heavier side of the bunch. But it seemed to prefer to ride on top of the crud, rather than bulldozing through it.
This model works in light chop, but in either deeper or denser situations, we found ourselves feeling less confident, and wishing we had something a bit stiffer.
The Vantage can manage lighter, softer crud and is a great ski to use if you're just learning to ski this type of snow. Anything heavier or deeper though, and it starts getting bucked around.
Credit: Scott Rokis
Playfulness
The Vantage 90 Ti isn't the snappiest of all our tested skis, but that's not to say it doesn't have a spring to its step. This ski is light enough that it's happy getting airborne, and it has a nice rebound when unwound at the end of a short turn, or when released after a high-pressured carve. While it's hard to compete with the pure delight of popping around on some of our test's most playful skis, our testers agreed that this ski's lightness and ease of turning would make it feel playful for an upper-intermediate or advanced skier.
A super fun ski that's easy to get into the air, the Vantage 90 was a pleasure to play on.
Credit: Scott Rokis
Bumps
Whereas in deeper powder, the narrower waist and shorter length were a liability, in the bumps these qualities are advantages. We were pleased with how maneuverable the Vantage felt in undulating terrain. We could coerce it to turn quickly and exactly where we desired. It is soft enough to move well along the peaks and valleys of a mogul field, and it is forgiving if you don't make exactly the right move in exactly the right moment. The Atomic Vantage would make an excellent intro to bumps ski.
With the middle-range stiffness and easy turning, the Atomic is enjoyable in moguls.
Credit: Scott Rokis
Even if you think you may not venture off-piste for some time yet, the Vantage 90 Ti will provide you with stability and fun on the groomers alone. As long as you're only planning to delve into boot-top powder and softer crud, and you're not planning to ski at Mach 10, the Atomic is an ideal coaching ski. If you're already a hard-charging all-terrain mama, look elsewhere.
If you want some funny photos, take the Vantage 90 Ti out on a two foot Sierra cement day! A big thanks to Hilary Roache for being such a good sport and clearly testing these skis to their limits.
Credit: Scott Rokis
Value
At one of the lowest price points in our review, the Vantage 90 Ti is a steal. You're getting a quality-made ski which, at the right ability level, should continue to suit you as your abilities progress. It's a great deal, especially for someone looking to purchase their first pair of skis.
Conclusion
The Atomic Vantage 90 Ti is a reliable and versatile ski for medium-ability level skiers seeking to explore new terrain.
—
Renee McCormack
You Might Also Like
