Ski: 2014-2015 Atomic Elysian, 168cm
Dimensions (mm): 128-95-117
Sidecut Radius: 18.1 meters
Actual Tip-to-Tail Length (Straight Tape Pull): 165cm
Weight Per Ski: 1,668 and 1,674 grams
Boots / Bindings: Nordica Hot Rod / Marker Griffon (DIN at 6)
Mount Locations: Factory Recommended
Test Location: Alta Ski Area, Park City Mountain Resort
Days Skied: 27
[Editor’s Note: Our review was conducted on the 12/13 Elysian, which is unchanged for 13/14 and 14/15, except for the graphics.]
Atomic created the Elysian as a versatile, all-mountain women’s ski that’s easy to handle in anything from powder to on-piste hardpack. After 27 days on it, I can say that Atomic hit the mark.
But to really get a sense of just how easy it was to handle across the board, it will be helpful to compare it to some other skis I’ve been on this season.
Groomers
Out of all the skis I’ve ridden, the Elysian is the most fun of the bunch on groomers. It performs well in both small- and large-radius turns, and with camber underfoot and slight tip and tail rocker, it is easy to engage the entire length of the ski, which makes the ski feel very stable at high speeds.
Also, the tails are stiff enough that they do not wash out at the end of turns. Instead, I can push them through the full length of the turn.
What really made the Elysian fun on groomers, though, was its energy. During the transition from one edge to another, I could literally feel the ski launch me into the next turn. Atomic credits a lightweight carbon insert in each ski for the rebound, but the Elysian’s camber underfoot certainly provided a little extra energy as the flattened, flexed ski released to its natural cambered shape during transitions.
Trees and Moguls
One of my favorite aspects of the Elysian is how quick and responsive they are. While the Elysian is about 260 grams heavier than the pure carbon 168cm DPS Nina 99, I noticed that the swing weight of the Elysian was less.
From the recommended mounting positions, the Nina had significantly more tip and shovel than the Elysian. As a result, the farther-back lever point for turning the Nina meant a little more effort was needed to swing the larger tips around.
The Elysian, by comparison, had a much more balanced feel, and I could easily swing the ski through turns, and the swing weight reminded me a lot of the 174cm Rossignol Sickle.
The Elysian’s low swing weight came in handy through the chutes and trees of Alta’s Eagle’s Nest, because I could easily make quick turns as I encountered each terrain feature. And, the rebound that I noted on groomers made the Elysian feel energetic and responsive off-piste as well. Through the trees, I could use the energy the skis generate to boost me into the next turn.
The Elysian’s swing weight and rebound were great in moguls, too. I took the Elysian down High Rustler, Stone Crusher, and Lonepine in the midst of some mogul days between storms. Since it’s only 95mm underfoot, the Elysian turned from edge to edge very easily.
Plus, I didn’t find the tails to get hung up on bumps, which I did occasionally experience on the wider Rossignol Sickle and Line Pandora. The Elysian is about a centimeter narrower both underfoot and in the tail compared to the Sickle, and about a 1.5cm narrower than the Pandora.
Hey,
I’m looking for new all mountain skis. The Atomic Elysian have caught my eye as have the K2 Missdemeanors. I ski mostly in the tress, hunt for powder and not much in the park. I am an intermediate skier. Most of my skiing has been done off piste in powder and corn. I love how the Atomic Century’s ski, and like the K2 Gotbacks (but prefer the Century’s) and am looking for some input on which of the above I may prefer. Ski area: Western Canada.
Thanks!
Hello, and congratulations for this test, it’s really interesting.
My girlfriend just bought these skis, and I don’t understand one sentence that seems important in your test,
What do you mean by :” you’ll just need to detune the tips and tails.” (after your first run).
I’m french, and my english isn’t really good… Translators are very funny, but don’t really help me !!!
I suppose tips and tails are the two extremities (twintip), but don’t understand what to do !!!
Thanks for your explanations.
Grumf,
If your girlfriend finds the front of the ski to be a touch unpredictable and grabby, take a tuning stone and soften (round) the edges of the ski from the tip to about 5-7cm beyond the widest point of the tip toward the bindings.
If she finds the rear of the ski is difficult to push around when trying to skid a turn, do the same rounding of the edge to the rear portion of the ski.
Ahhhh ! OK !!!
Thanks a lot !!!!
It seems to me like atomic built the century to be a little more powder oriented, but am not sure how different these two skis are. I’m looking for my wifes first pair of skis…she’s a hard charging snowboarder who learns quickly and we traditionally spend most of our time off piste. What would you recommend and why?
Would you recommend these for a lady who hasn’t skied in 10-15 years? I’d rather avoid getting her a “beginner” type ski and find her something easier to use that she can progress into. We’re mostly at Tremblant with refrozen/icy, normal eastern snow.
I’m trying to find a recommendation for a binding for this Elysian ski. I’m 120 lbs naked. Ordered the 159cm ski. Advance intermediate skill level. Currently on Atomic B5Is and love them.
Thank you for the help!
Is the Elysian the new Atomic 95C Womens with a flatter non twinned tail ? What does Blister think of the Atomic Century 109 for Women ? I think this is girls version of the Atomic Automatic 109….I bought my wife the 95CW for All Mtn….want to get her a new powder ski and am looking at the Century 109 and the Moment Bella….she has a Bella in a 162 which is short..fine for tight spots but will be too short for open areas and her increasing ability so looking at 175cm Atomic Century vs. Bella 172….The Atomic Century 109 is available for $349 for last yrs model…$449 this yrs model….the Bella is $569 or so on sale….that 349 is looking pretty good unless I hear STOP !! I would rather support Moment and I have Bibby’s too but $200 is a lot. Wife is 5’4 135lbs dry…advanced skier – directional – no switch – age 46 and improving skillset wise rapidly as she took 10 yrs away from skiing then marries me and now goes all the time including summer glacier skiing at Mt>Hood we ski PNW and Utah
Thanks Ladies for any input,
Guy :)