MSRP $879 flat

Dimensions 137-105-128

Category ranking No. 6

Average score 3.39

Atomic makes a huge rockered ski, the Atlas (125 mm), but figured the more versatile Coax would be a better bet for the test. Good call. It’s hard to imagine wanting anything wider, even in the 14 inches of Snowbird powder we enjoyed. The Coax is a wood-core construction with relaxed sidewalls (think half cap, half vertical). And while it wasn’t as popular as the Snoop (see Powder: Wide), testers loved its enthusiasm. “Great in tight trees, floats well; cuts crud with minimal effort,” said Larsen.

Best for Attacking technical lines in deep snow

Not for New-school, surfy-smeary powder technique