Ski: 2024-2025 Atomic Maven 103 CTi, 178 cm
Test Location: Crested Butte Mountain Resort, CO
Days Skied: 6
Available Lengths: 156, 162, 170, 178 cm
Blister’s Measured Tip-to-Tail Length (straight-tape pull): 177.1 cm
Blister’s Measured Weight per Ski: 1744 & 1921 grams
Stated Dimensions: 132.5-104-121.5 mm
Blister’s Measured Dimensions: 132-103.5-121 mm
Stated Sidecut Radius (178 cm): 18 meters
Measured Tip & Tail Splay (ski decambered): 57 mm / 21.5 mm
Measured Traditional Camber Underfoot: 6.5 mm
Core Materials: poplar/ash + titanal + carbon & fiberglass laminate
Base: sintered
Factory Recommended Mount Point: -9.7 cm from center; 78.9 cm from tail
Boots Used: Lange Shadow 115 LV W
Bindings Used: Salomon Strive 11
Intro
Atomic is revamping several of their directional all-mountain and freeride skis for the 2024-2025 season. For a rundown on the new Maven (women’s) and Maverick (unisex) skis, you can read our recap of the announcement, here.
The main changes came in the form of several wider models, whereas the narrower Mavens and Mavericks remain constructionally unchanged. On the women’s side, the big news was the addition of the Maven 103 CTI, while the Maverick lineup expanded with the Maverick 105 CTI and Maverick 115 CTI.
We’ve been spending time on all three of these new skis (see our Flash Review of the Maverick 105 & 115), in addition to Atomic’s new Backland touring skis. But here, we’re going to dive into the women’s Maven 103 CTI and how it slots into the current all-mountain market.
What Atomic says about the Maven 103 CTi
“A pure all-conditions freeride ski, the women’s Atomic Maven 103 CTI is designed to charge hard and driven to explore new terrain. Built similar to the sturdy, lower-impact design of the unisex Maverick 105 CTI, the Maven 103 CTI core construction uses less metal, fiberglass and resin, and features a Power Woodcore that uses a unique blend of ash and poplar wood to improve the ski’s stability and significantly reduce vibration when at speed. CTI Powered, the core utilizes a precise mixture of carbon and titanal to deliver the perfect balance of agility and sturdiness for hard-charging, highly energetic skiing. All Mountain Rocker and the uniquely beveled three-dimensional HRZN 3D tip increases surface area for improved float in deeper snow conditions. The ski of choice for Atomic skiers like Amie Engebretson, it’s the smooth and cruisy, yet firm and fierce all-mountain performance of the Maven 103 CTI that keeps her chasing after the next turn.”
Construction
The new, wider Maven and Mavericks skis are built with Atomic’s “Power Woodcore,” which is a mix of poplar and ash; the narrower (less than 100 mm wide) Mavens and Mavericks feature a lighter full-poplar core.
The “CTI” models add carbon and titanal metal (the “C” and “TI,” respectively) for added support and stability, though the exact implementation of those materials isn’t clear.
They round things out (literally) with a new implementation of Atomic’s “HRZN Tech” inserts at the tips, which add a beveled shape to the base of the rockered tips; the goal is to improve flotation and maneuverability in fresh snow.
Atomic also reports that they’ve reduced the carbon footprint of the new skis in these collections by 24% (relative to the previous-gen Maverick 100 Ti) by using less metal, fiberglass, and resin, as well as top sheets with more recycled material.
For reference, the Maven 103 CTI and Maverick 105 CTI share the same stated dimensions in equivalent lengths, but Atomic says that the Maven 103 CTI features slightly less ash in its core, which makes it a touch lighter and more forgiving.
Shape & Rocker Profile
The first things that stand out about the Maven 103 CTI are its HRZN Tech tips, where there’s a noticeable convexity along the sides of the shovels. The Maven 103 CTI also has a pretty tapered shovel design and a slightly less tapered tail.
To pair with that shape, the Maven 103 CTI features a pretty deep (but low-slung) tip rocker line, a more subtle tail rocker line, and plenty of camber in between.
Worth noting, the Maven and Maverick skis share quite a bit in common with Atomic’s newly redesigned Backland touring skis in terms of shape and rocker profile. We’ll have more to say about those skis in the future.
Flex Pattern
Here’s how we’d characterize the flex pattern of the Maven 103 CTi:
Tips: 6
Shovels: 6.5-7.5
In Front of Toe Piece: 8-9.5
Underfoot: 10
Behind the Heel Piece: 9.5-8.5
Tails: 8-7
Overall, this flex pattern is neither super burly nor exceptionally soft. It is pretty directional, feeling notably stronger through the back half of the ski, with fairly forgiving shovels.
Sidecut Radius
The stated sidecut radius for the 178 cm Maven 103 CTI is 18 meters, which is just about average for its class.
Mount Point
The recommended mount point of the Maven 103 CTI is about -10 cm from true center, which is pretty standard for a decidedly directional ski.
Weight
Considering the width and length of the Maven 103 CTI, it feels pretty light. For reference, Atomic’s stated weight for the 170 cm length is 1610 grams per ski.
Now, one of the skis in our 178 cm pair came in at 1744 grams, which seems pretty reasonable, if not a bit heavier than we’d expect, given the stated weight of the 170 cm length. However, the other 178 cm ski in our pair was abnormally heavier, at 1921 grams (we triple-checked the weights). That’s a bigger discrepancy than we typically see in a single pair of skis (having weighed hundreds over the years), but we didn’t notice a difference between the two skis while actually skiing them as a pair. We’d expect most 178 cm Maven 103 CTIs to weigh closer to the ~1740-g ski in our pair.
For reference, here are a number of our measured weights (per ski in grams) for some notable skis. Keep in mind the length differences to try to keep things apples-to-apples.
1550 & 1603 Elan Ripstick 94 W, 168 cm
1676 & 1700 Majesty Vadera Carbon, 176 cm
1690 & 1700 Blizzard Black Pearl 84, 170 cm
1693 & 1710 Moment Sierra, 172 cm
1711 & 1712 Majesty Havoc 90 Ti, 176 cm
1741 & 1747 Nordica Unleashed 98 W, 174 cm
1752 & 1751 Blizzard Sheeva 9, 172 cm
1744 & 1921 Atomic Maven 103 CTI, 178 cm
1761 & 1778 Zag Slap 104, 176 cm
1762 & 1779 K2 Mindbender 89Ti W, 170 cm
1773 & 1785 Blizzard Black Pearl 88, 170 cm
1787 & 1798 Faction Dancer 2X, 172 cm
1792 & 1792 Nordica Santa Ana 104 Free, 172 cm
1797 & 1839 Rossignol Rallybird 102, 170 cm
1797 & 1839 Rossignol Rallybird 104 Ti, 171 cm
1815 & 1825 Majesty Havoc 100 Ti, 176 cm
1822 & 1843 Armada Reliance 92 Ti, 172 cm
1835 & 1820 Armada ARV 116 JJ UL, 185 cm
1836 & 1838 Armada ARW 106 UL, 180 cm
1847 & 1854 Wagner Summit 106, 172 cm
1851 & 1856 Blizzard Sheeva 10, 180 cm
1860 & 1862 Majesty Vadera Ti, 176 cm
1878 & 1891 Salomon QST Stella 106, 173 cm
1885 & 1907 Salomon QST Lumen 98, 176 cm
1928 & 1945 K2 Mindbender 99Ti W, 172 cm
1933 & 1953 Blizzard Black Pearl 94, 176 cm
1933 & 1975 Volkl Secret 96, 170 cm
1955 & 1990 Coalition Snow SOS, 173 cm
1958 & 1960 Faction Dancer 3X, 172 cm
1959 & 1986 Blizzard Sheeva 11, 180 cm
1961 & 1985 K2 Mindbender 106C W, 176 cm
1969 & 1988 4FRNT MSP CC, 171 cm
1994 & 2001 Peak 98 by Bode, 178 cm
2010 & 2063 Volkl Secret 102, 170 cm
2035 & 2083 Nordica Unleashed 108 W, 180 cm
2045 & 2070 Nordica Santa Ana 92, 179 cm
2057 & 2061 Fischer Ranger 102, 176 cm
2074 & 2088 Line Blade Optic 104, 178 cm
2178 & 2166 Coalition Snow Rafiki, 180 cm
With all the tech and specs out of the way, let’s get into how all of that translates on snow:
FULL REVIEW
Kara Williard (5’9”, 170 lbs / 175 cm, 77 kg): We started skiing the 178 cm Maven 103 CTI shortly after Atomic revealed their 24/25 collection this past winter, and I was able to log several days on it in a wide range of conditions, from mid-winter powder laps to firm spells between snowfall.
Moguls, Trees, & Tight Terrain
This is the type of terrain I ski the most at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, and it’s also where the Maven 103 CTI stands out from its competition. Despite having a flex pattern that feels pretty strong (especially behind the bindings), the Maven 103 CTI is a pretty accessible and maneuverable ski in trees, moguls, and the like.
As I expected, given its directional design, the Maven 103 CTI feels best when skiing with a forward, traditional stance. A less directional, less-rearward-mounted ski (e.g., Atomic Bent 100) is a better call if you ski with a more centered, neutral stance.
But, if I skied it as intended, I found it easy to pivot or hop my way through moguls and steeps on the Maven 103 CTI. This ski has a notably low swing weight for its size, which helps when making quick, precise turns in tight spots. I found it particularly confidence-inspiring in steep and technical terrain where hop turns are the only option, since this ski doesn’t require nearly as much effort to flick around when compared to the numerous heavier options in its class (e.g., Nordica Santa Ana 102, Volkl Secret 102).
The Maven 103 CTI also feels adaptable to different turn styles and shapes, letting me carve or skid it between obstacles; as a result, I enjoyed it in all sorts of bumps — even really big ones.
When I did find myself in the backseat, the Maven 103 CTI’s tails provided a noticeable, but not harsh, reminder to get forward. Its tails are much easier to release when my weight is over the shovels, but especially compared to heavier directional skis, the Maven 103 CTI is fairly forgiving when you make a mistake.
Powder & Soft Chop
For a ~103mm-wide ski, I was both surprised and impressed by how well the Maven 103 CTI floated in fresh snow. Looking at its tapered shovels, they seem a bit narrow for a true powder day, but they did a good job of planing up in soft conditions while also feeling pretty surfy / loose.
I can’t say how much of this comes down to the Maven 103 CTI’s beveled HRZN Tech tips, but most of us at Blister have thought that skis that feature HRZN Tech do feel a bit looser (or “more slippery”?) through the shovels in powder than skis with traditional, flat bases.
On that note, I also found the Maven 103 CTI pretty easy to maneuver in more challenging pow-day scenarios, like heavy snow in tight terrain. For the truly deep days, there are plenty of wider skis that would offer better flotation and maneuverability, but for its class and how it handles other conditions (keep reading), the Maven 103 CTI is a very respectable pow ski.
In both untracked and slightly cut-up soft snow, I was surprised by how predictable and composed the Maven 103 CTI could feel, especially relative to how light it is.
As things get more skied out, or if there’s only a few inches of fresh snow over a firm base, the Maven 103 CTI is far from the most planted ski in its class and can get knocked around quite a bit.
Overall, the Maven 103 CTI falls on the maneuverable and agile side of the spectrum, not the damp and stable end. But, given its low weight, it still performed better in soft chop than I expected, while also being surfy and nimble when I wanted to ski with more finesse.
Firm Chop & Crud
As we just touched on, the Maven 103 CTI isn’t a particularly damp or planted ski. It stands out more for its quickness and maneuverability, but it does provide pretty respectable stability in firmer conditions, especially when you can keep the ski on edge.
If the snow is both firm and rough / inconsistent in texture, the Maven 103 CTI lends itself to a more finesse-oriented approach. To keep my speed in check and the ski from deflecting a lot, I found myself making tighter and more deliberate turns on the Maven 103 CTI than I would on a much heavier ski like the ultra-planted Volkl Secret 102 or Nordica Santa Ana 102.
If you start hitting chop and crud at higher speeds, the Maven 103 CTI does get knocked around a good bit, particularly compared to the heavier alternatives I just mentioned. However, when I adjusted my expectations and accepted the Maven 103 CTI for what it is (a pretty light and maneuverable ski), I found the Maven 103 CTI predictable and intuitive while making slightly lower-speed, tighter, more frequent turns in rough conditions.
Groomers / On-Piste
Despite its width and how much it impressed me in fresh snow, I’ve also really enjoyed carving the Maven 103 CTI on piste. I’ve found it fairly easy to bend, and when its shovels hook up, it provides excellent edge hold and feels lively between transitions.
Overall, the Maven 103 CTI has become one of my favorite skis in the wider all-mountain class when it comes to on-piste performance; it feels more accessible and easier to bend than some other standouts like the Volkl Secret 102, yet the Maven 103 CTI still feels quite secure on edge.
Length
For reference, I’m 5’9”, 170 lbs (175 cm, 77 kg), and tend to get along with skis in lengths anywhere from 170-185 cm, depending on the particular model. I typically prefer shorter lengths for heavier, stiffer, and/or narrower skis, while I’ll often go longer on lighter, softer, more rockered, and/or wider models.
(Check out our GEAR 101 video and article on ski length for more on the factors that contribute to how long a given ski feels when you’re actually skiing it, and why you might want to size up or down on a particular model.)
Compared to other fairly strong, directional all-mountain skis, the 178 cm Maven 103 CTI is on the longer side of what I typically enjoy. That said, it’s easier than most of the similarly directional skis I’ve tried in similar lengths, especially when skiing moguls and tight terrain.
For comparison, I’d say the 178 cm Maven 103 CTI feels comparable to the 170 cm Secret 102 in terms of how demanding it feels overall; the 178 Maven 103 CTI is quite a bit more accessible, agile, and maneuverable than the 178 cm Dynastar M-Pro 98 and 179 cm Nordica Santa Ana 102.
With that context in mind, I think most folks who are interested in the Maven 103 CTI for its quickness and maneuverability can probably stick to their usual sizing range. However, if you’re coming from heavier directional skis like the ones I just mentioned, you could probably size up and still find the Maven 103 CTI to feel more agile and accessible than those other skis.
Who’s It For?
The Maven 103 CTI is best suited for directional skiers with good technique who prefer a nimble ski over a very damp, planted one, but who still like to carve hard on piste and other smoother, more consistent conditions.
Given just how versatile the Maven 103 CTI proved to be on firm groomers and fresh powder, it makes a strong case for use as a 1-ski quiver or the daily driver in a bigger quiver. It’s surfy and quick when you’re navigating moguls or looking for pow stashes off piste, but it’s fully capable of laying down hard carves on the way back to the lift.
While it responds best to good technique and a traditional, forward stance, the Maven 103 CTI is one of the more accessible options in the directional class. So, if you’re looking to progress in tight, off-piste terrain and/or soft snow, it could be a good fit — especially if you’ve felt that the heavier swing weights of other directional skis are what have been holding you back from making quick turns and finding good rhythm in techy terrain.
If you’re not sure what ski is right for you and/or don’t even know where to start, you can always become a BLISTER+ member, send us a note via the Member Clubhouse, and one of our reviewers will work one-on-one with you to figure out what would make the most sense for your particular case.
Bottom Line
The Atomic Maven 103 CTI has proven to be a very versatile ski that manages to stand out within the all-mountain class because of its performance both on piste and in fresh snow. Its quickness and maneuverability are what separate it from many other directional skis, but for more finesse-oriented skiers, the Maven 103 CTI still offers a high level of precision and respectable stability, given its low weight.
Deep Dive Comparisons
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Deep Dive: Atomic Maven 103 CTI
We compare the Atomic Maven 103 CTI to the Fischer Ranger 102, Nordica Santa Ana 102, K2 Mindbender 99Ti W, Volkl Secret 102, Blizzard Sheeva 10, DPS Kaizen 105, Line Blade Optic 104, K2 Mindbender 106C W, Folsom Cash 106, Faction Dancer 3X, Salomon QST Stella 106, Nordica Unleashed 108, & Majesty Vadera Ti.
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My wife, a solid intermediate/advanced skier who will follow me most places on the mountain, but is definitely way more cautious and prefers to keep her speed down, demoed these at Powder Mt about a week after a nice dump where there was still some lightly tracked terrain in areas. Snow had been through some freeze/thaw more or less depending on aspect and shade in the trees. She absolutely LOVED these in all of the varied terrain, including on groomers. She is coming from a Salomon Q88 Lux, which she’s been happy with, but is a bit too soft and narrow now that she has progressed. The same week as at PowMow, she rented Salomon QST 98s, but did not enjoy them nearly as much as these Atomics, especially on groomed runs. Glad to finally see a lengthy review that pretty much validates what she experienced and I guess now we’ll be in the market for a new pair next season.