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July, 2025

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Atomic Backland 117 + Blizzard Rustler 10 or Backland 102 + Rustler 11? + Bonus Question

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Kulharin
Posts: 97 - Karma: 133
I am looking to sell my Pinnacle 95's; been on on em for two seasons and I honestly don't like the ski that much despite all the raves and positive reviews. Maybe I'll get the bindings moved on the ski and see what that does? I just find the tips to be a bit squirly and I have to drive the ski hard on technical terrain to maintain control as the ski seems to want to turn on a dime a bit too easily.

I loved my Atomic Automatic 109's... even in conditions that I'd usually take the Pinnacle's out in I was having more fun on the automatics. but they were stolen recently...

I was considering the Atomic Backlands 117+ Blizzard Rustler 11 or Backland 102 + Rustler 12... what do you think of either pairing?

Bonus question... Given my preference for the Automatics over the Pinnacles... How would you compare other skis in the 90 range? Nordica Soulrider 97, Enforcer 93, Head Kore 93, Line Sick Days 94? Q-99?

**This thread was edited on Mar 16th 2018 at 6:52:08pm
7 years ago
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Greg_K
Posts: 963 - Karma: 2,791
Not surprised you're not loving the Pinnacles as they are VERY surfy feeling as they have so much rocker and they were quite soft a few years ago. They get good reviews for being "easy to ski" but are not chargers at all and more geared towards light, less aggressive skiers.They have increase the stiffness of them over the last few years so that they are more stable and better on harder snow. Mount won't make much difference but a base grind and tune might as your symptoms(squirrly and turning too easy) could be a "base high" situation and not just the rocker. Won't transform them but might improve them.

Honestly, If you liked the Automatic you will like a free ride/freestyle ski like the Backland more as it's a lighter, snappier Automatic. The Rustler 10 or 11 are fun, playful skis that you might like as well along with the Nordica Enforcer 110. The narrower Enforcer are less freestyle geared but are fantastic skis for those that like directional all mountain skis. ON3P Kartels or Moment PB&J/Bibby would be other skis to consider in this category. Sick Days are also a decent mix of fun, all mountain skis.

Rustler 9 getting rave reviews at 94mm underfoot and new Kartel 96 should be a great ski too.
7 years ago
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skidemon22
Posts: 4467 - Karma: 2,065
I would do the Backland FR 102 and the rustler 11. The FR 102 can be used in the park, moguls, and groomers. And the rustler 11 will be great all mountain/ super steep stuff, and in powder. The rustler 10 is not a twin tip (though you could be fine if you don't ski park).

To answer your bonus question: all of those skis are what I consider to be "concession skis". They are for people (literally, were built for) who can only afford one pair of skis and are too scared to get something in the 100-109 range. Most skis around the ~104mm waist width are awesome on piste and great when there is fresh snow. But the Nordica 93 and the Pinnacle 88 were made just fill a gap in the markets
7 years ago
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Kulharin
Posts: 97 - Karma: 133
I terms of length in the Blizzard rustler skis... 182 seemed perfect for me with the Atomic Automatic 109's... so I was looking at the 180's, though I've been told to consider the 188's... I fear those might be a bit long though? I can't find the % of tip rocker, camber, tail rocker profile for the Rustlers though. The 184 Pinnacle skis like it's shorter than the 182 Automatic... How will the Rustler feel?

And how does the Pinnacle 95/105 early rise + rocker/camber/rocker profile compare to that of the Rustler 10/11?

**This post was edited on Mar 17th 2018 at 2:04:55pm

**This post was edited on Mar 17th 2018 at 3:05:55pm
7 years ago
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Cade2
Posts: 2124 - Karma: 2,708
Sounds like you need poachers in your life
7 years ago
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Kulharin
Posts: 97 - Karma: 133
It looks like a sweet ski, although it looks like I'll go for one ski in between sizes... I want to sell my Pinnacle and my Automatic's were stolen. I wanted to get two skis to replace them but thinking about it further financially it doesn't make sense it seems. So width wise I guess somewhere between 99-105... Currently Backland 102 or Rustler 10 are my top choices
7 years ago
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Greg_K
Posts: 963 - Karma: 2,791
The Rustler 11 and 9 are the standouts in that line, so if I were to chose between the Rustler 10 and Backland 102, it would be the Backland 102. Backland 102 does everything pretty well and would be similar to what you had in the Automatics. Very good one ski quiver.

The Rustler 9 would be a great choice to replace the Pinnacle 95 as the ski used between pow days and then eventually get the Backlands 117/Rustler 11 for powder days as your second ski if you are thinking of getting a 2 ski quiver.
7 years ago
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Kulharin
Posts: 97 - Karma: 133
Thanks. Curious which has more early rise and tip n tail rocker the Backland or Rustler? Atomic is nice enough to break it down on % with Tip Rocker 20% and Tail Rocker 10% on the Backland 102's... Can't find that info for Blizzard skis.

**This post was edited on Mar 18th 2018 at 1:11:48pm
7 years ago
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Greg_K
Posts: 963 - Karma: 2,791
The Rustler and Backland line both have more rocker as they get wider. The Rustler 10 has more rocker than the 102 and about the same as the 107 I’d guess by profile pics. Rustler 9 has the most most Camber/least rocker and longest length of metal underfoot in the Rustler line to aid hard snow performance.
7 years ago
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Kulharin
Posts: 97 - Karma: 133
Seeing the widely different review between the skis makes me somewhat concerned? Not sure if this can be that credible?

https://gearinstitute.com/gear-review/atomic-backland-fr-109/

https://gearinstitute.com/gear-review/atomic-automatic-109-ski-test-2016/

Also how would the Nordica enforcers 100 fit into all this?
7 years ago
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Greg_K
Posts: 963 - Karma: 2,791
I trust reviewers like Blister Gear more and they did a test of the Backland 109 and compared it to the Automatic version. They found the Backland lighter and quicker responding without losing much in stability etc.

Nordica Enforcer 100 is a fantastic directional all mountain ski but not as fun and playful. Would be similar to the Blizzard Bonifide or the Atomic Vantage 100 CTI. Addition of metal in the ski to stiffen and damp, binding mounts further back and usually heavier weight than freeride/freestyle skis.
7 years ago
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Kulharin
Posts: 97 - Karma: 133
I bought the Nordica Enforcer 100 in the 185CM length... I hope this was the right call. I'm going to sell the Pinnacle's SO I hope this can fill the missing link and middle ground between my stolen Automatic 109/182cm and the Pinnacle 95/185cm...

Final thoughts!?
7 years ago
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Greg_K
Posts: 963 - Karma: 2,791
The Enforcer 100 is a fantastic one ski quiver for someone not hitting the park and is used to more traditional mounts on a directional ski. You give up some playfulness but gain better carving ability and increased stability. Nice weight, flex and the 185cm should be a good size for you. The Enforcer 100 is a bit beefier than the Rustler 10 but not as demanding as the Blizzard Bonafide.

Lots of deals on the 2017/18 versions as the new 2018/19 models have just a top sheet color change.
7 years ago
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Cade2
Posts: 2124 - Karma: 2,708
if you liked the automatics you made a bad choice with the enforcers....
7 years ago
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Kulharin
Posts: 97 - Karma: 133
Cade2if you liked the automatics you made a bad choice with the enforcers....


Why do you say such things?
7 years ago
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Cade2
Posts: 2124 - Karma: 2,708
Cause as greg said the enforcer is a chargy directional ski and the automatics are a playful twintip. Doesnt look like you really listened to him but hey if you want a stiff charger than you picked a good ski.
7 years ago
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Kulharin
Posts: 97 - Karma: 133
Cade2Cause as greg said the enforcer is a chargy directional ski and the automatics are a playful twintip. Doesnt look like you really listened to him but hey if you want a stiff charger than you picked a good ski.


He suggested the enforcers in his first reply!

Both the Automatics and Enforcers are a partial twin tip. And the only time I ski backwards/switch is if I'm trying to get out of a sticky situation. In terms of weight they are both almost the same. Both seem to have a similar Rocker/Camber/Rocker profile... Blistergear reviews between the ski would suggest the Enforcers are really only slightly stiffer underfoot, in front of the tow box and in the tail. With actually softer tips and shovels.

I'm not really looking to replicate the 109 automatics in a 100 ski completely. More find a compromise between my 95 and 109, for all mountain/big mountain/free-ride. Eventually when I can afford it I'll prolly pick up a wider Backland or Rustler... overall reviews for a resort oriented ski is that the Automatic were preferable over the backland with the backlands more specificly geared to powder and touring... In Revelstoke, that's a ski that's pretty much good for mornings and side country traversing as the entire mountain is tracked out by early afternoon on pow days.

I like playfulness and surfiness in a ski... but I also like to carve and charge. So I was hoping to land somewhere in between.

**This post was edited on Mar 19th 2018 at 6:20:07pm
7 years ago
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Greg_K
Posts: 963 - Karma: 2,791
I recommended the Enforcer 110 in the original post as it is the only Enforcer that’s a partial twin tip and has the most playful, surfy feel in the Enforcer Line. Similar in feel to the 100 but more tail rocker and if you push up the mount forward a bit would be a fun ski that is still good in tracked snow.
7 years ago
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Kulharin
Posts: 97 - Karma: 133
Well... https://www.evo.com/skis/nordica-enforcer lied to me then about the partial twin tip... oh well. I guess this ski is more closer to a replacement for my Pinnacle than my Automatic then?

Eventually I'll pick up a wider ski for dedicated powder surf/side country. Likely the Rustler 11 or Backland's ... sadly it looks like the 109 is being shrunk to 107 next year which is kind of weird the line up would be 102, 107, 117, 120? ... leaves a bit of a gap in the exact width I'd be looking for.

**This post was edited on Mar 19th 2018 at 7:26:54pm
7 years ago
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Kulharin
Posts: 97 - Karma: 133
Next year I'll prolly pick up some backland 117's, sick days 114 or rustler 11's

**This post was edited on Mar 20th 2018 at 1:37:38pm
7 years ago
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