What's up guys?
I've read this entire thread, and I must say some very good points have been brought up on both sides, and everyone is entitled to their own oppinion. I'm not gonna lie I really dislike the 'Image' of Atomic, christ I've been trying to change it for 4 years now, so much so that as far as shirts go I only ever wear the Snowboarding stuff. The Snowboarding shit is sick, and as the slogan goes for Atomic Snowboards 'At Least We're Not French'
Anyone who's sticking up for 4FRNT, Armada Ninthward etc I agree they are core companies created specifically for freeskiing, however for anyone uneducated enough to put Rossi and Salomon in this same calss, you need to stay away from the crack! Rossi and Salomon are both Race companies before freeride companies and they always will be, there's not enough money in freeride ski sales to keep a company like that alive, Rossi, Salomon and Atomic all use the cash they make on Race sales to help support the freeride program.
Steel Left Atomic because a business opportunity was presented to him and he'd have been an idiot not to take it, which anyone who knows Steele know's he's not. It had nothing to do with the Product.
Atomic Makes a super super sick product, deffinitely one of the most durable out there, the only one comprable for durability is Head (wow another Race Company) This year we cut down on the team and put alot more money into R&D, you guys are gonna shit when you see what's in store for 05/06 both technically and Graphically. I've been testing a new base concept for sliding rails since July, I had them at the September Session last weekend so some of the people on this site have seen them already. I've gotta say, It's pretty damn sick. But everyone is entitled to having the opinion that because Atomic is a 'Race' Company it's 'gay' or the product 'Sucks' it would be in your best interest to perhaps educate yourself a littl before you say things like that, try them, what could it hurt? Except maybe your 'Image'. The bindings were heavy, that's why we now have Atomic by Look bindings. Atomic skis are the lightest freeride skis out there, and if you mount the right binding on them they're, by far, lighter then any other setup on the market.
The moral of this thread was Steele however it quickly turned into one bashing Atomic, I take that personally, whether I am still riding for them or not, (Which I am) I helped to design the skis, and I stand by them, try them and you may be suprised that you would too.
Peace
Atomic 05/06
The Triplets are coming....
2+1=6
think about it.....
