Atomic GS:11 2004 Ski Review

Atomic’s New GS:11, more than just a GS board.  The 186cm GS:11 is the real deal if you want a true GS ski.  Stable at ridiculous speeds—it’s a Race ski and not much else.

Ski Review Brands

Model: Atomic GS:11
Size(cm) / Radius(m): 166/? 171/? 176/? 181/19 186/?
Sidecut : not specified
Length tested: 171 & 186

Manufacturer’s Description:

“Ever notice that theam Atomic’s GS racing skis actually use the same beta profile as production models?  No hand-built sandwich skis here - they can’t compete with an off-the-shelf GS:11”

Ski-Review’s verdict:

For true GS feel, the 186 is one of the best. However, I spent a whole day on a 171cm GS:11 at a smaller area and found it to be a great choice for any expert skier looking for real versatility in a shorter GS ski.  Edge hold is still superior, but the shorter length is much less demanding and really a lot of fun. 

Remember that in the case of the GS:11 the sidecut (radius) changes with the length and this drastically alters the way this ski performs. 

Those of us that remember choosing a GS or Slalom ski as our only ski (free skiing, teaching and racing) still crave the versatility that a lot of todays "turn or terrain specific" skis simply do not offer.  I’m sure there are skiers out there that will disagree, and I respect their right to do so, but this experience on the 171 offered a new approach to choosing skis—that was really just an old practice revisited. 

So my suggestion, if you are racing - buy the length that FIS requires.  If you’re looking for fun and don’t wish to conform to the pack, check out a shorter GS:11.  You just might agree, and re-evaluate your needs.

Real time prices for the Atomic GS:11 2004, or similar ski products:

Reader Ski Reviews of the Atomic GS:11 2004
Atomic GS:11 2004
Written by Ski Review Guest on 01/04

I have to absolutely agree.  I am 200lbs, rented the GS11 in 176 (longest left in shop) and found the darn things tremendously versatile, yet hugely stable at speed.  Normally I would not consider a GS ski under 180, so that was quite a revelation.  They even did alright offpiste.

Atomic GS:11 2004
Written by Ski Review Guest on 01/20

I just bought a pair of GS 11 skis this summer at 171 length.  I have skiied for 15+ years and I am 23 years old now.  I have never felt faster and more comfertable on the slopes as I did this weekend.  I did everthing from knee high powder to downhills and never felt out of control.  These skis did everything I asked and more.  Do not hesitate to buy them they are the biz.

Atomic GS:11 2004
Written by Ski Review Guest on 01/25

I bought a pair of GS:11s this year in 171 which was a huge step down from my 190s.  I was skeptical that the shorter length could handle my style of aggressive, fast as you can go style of skiing I like to call, “hair on fire.”  Turns out, this ski is the real deal, a serious race ski.  It’s not that the skis themselves go fast, that’s really up to your tuning and waxing - it’s about HOW they ski at speed.  You can take these bad dogs as fast as you want, pedal to the floor, faster than you’ve gone before and not feel like you’re moving.  They’re that stable.  You have to put your fear aside and trust the ski.  It will hold the hill no matter what and not let go.  Flex, bounce, wobble and chatter are all but gone in most snow and the power channels deliver - if you hit even a gentle rise at speed with a loaded ski, the rebound is unreal,  you’re cleared for takeoff.  If you’re a speed junkie like me, you may not be Bode Miller, but skiing these, you’d swear you were.

Atomic GS:11 2004
Written by Ski Review Guest on 01/30

Yesterday I skied for the first time on my 181 GS11 and new bindigs and comp. boots. The skiis were stable and even though I changed, brands I realized a comfort level right off. The one thing I am going to do is change the bottom bevel to 1/2 degree from 1, as I’m use to hooking up a little sooner.

Atomic GS:11 2004
Written by Ski Review Guest on 03/07

Big end of year sales here in VT at the ski shops. They were offering this ski for $400US and also the Atomic B5 for $690.

I asked the manager if I could demo the skis and take it off the price and he said sure. The B5 was nice for a day but too one-dimensional.

I have never ridden a Slalom before and didn’t know what to expect but was very surprised how well the ski handled. The GS11 ripped things up. I hit the fall line straight down and kept going and it didnt even feel like I was moving hardly. Very little wandering tips or flopiness over the crud like I am used to with the C9. It pretty much held the line straight down until I rolled it on edge. It goes where you point it..period. I am used to having to make corrections in the fall line constantly with the C9 due to terrain imperfections but the GS held on. I have never been on a ski like this before.

Extremely stable at speed. Very responsive on the edges. Goodbye C9.

The keyword for this ski is Stable Stable Stable…in all aspects.

Purchased them today when I took the demo back. Can’t wait for next weekend.

Atomic GS:11 2004
Written by Ski Review Guest on 03/17

THIS SKI JUST GRIMPS ON ICE INTHE RACE COURSE

Atomic GS:11 2004
Written by Ski Review Guest on 03/17

I LOVE THE DESIGN

Atomic GS:11 2004
Written by Ski Review Guest on 04/01

atomic suck team atomic dont evan ski on atomic they just put the atomc graphics on them. i skied on these same skis this year at st anton and they couldnt hold an edge for a full turn. the tip is way to stiff to start the turn easy and the tail is too soft to hold the turn. they are just rubbish

Atomic GS:11 2004
Written by Ski Review Guest on 04/04

Just back from Austria where i picked up a pair of 171’s for 500 euros inc binding.  prior to buying I had test skied against the Vokl P60 Race ski 160 length which had excellent edge grip but wanted me to turn in a schuss.  On the other hand the GS11’s wanted to go straight no matter what your speed, and as I was pasing all the other players on the slope I guess that was pretty fast.  Edge grip on steep hardpack was good and provided confidence.  Popped into a bit of powder and felt comfortable with no vices.  Tried over the bumps and was amazed at how much energy came back at me.  As I am 50 and knackered I expected to do my usual 6 bumps and fall exhausted by the side - not on these skis, I went round full length several times until the kids got bored. Into some man made slush and crud at the end of the day and it felt like someone was clearing a path for me rather than having to fight my way through the stuff.  I have skied about 20 year (late starter) love the sport to bits and can honestly say these skis are excellent for what I want to do.  It is only a personal opinion but Reg is a dick grinding some sort of axe.

Atomic GS:11 2004
Written by Ski Review Guest on 04/11

the gs 11 u buy in stores is fun but it really can’t compare to a racestock the store stock is a fast glider for me i weigh 150 but when i want to hit mach 3 down the blacks it justwont perform.the race stock is a lot stiffer a bit too stiff for GS racing and with its insane sidecut just go for a race stock

Atomic GS:11 2004
Written by Ski Review Guest on 12/23

I am on my second year with 186 cm GS:11’s and can find no negatives except moguls.  This ski knows no speed limit, grips like a ?rat with tennis shoes? and has a good snap rebounding out of a turn.  I have also spent a day skiing with my wife on blue runs at less than 30 mph and was surprises and how docile the ski could be when not pushed.  However, in order to really appreciate this board, you have to ski 40+ mph.  I noticed they changed the side cut in 2005-2006 to make it GS legal and wondered if anyone has skied both years and has any input on the differences.

Atomic GS:11 2004
Written by Ski Review Guest on 01/05

just bought me a pair of these . Now i am a racer too so i bougt myself the ski that they do not sell in the shop so straight from fabric. Now the atomic team don not race on this ski because the WC Cup race ski has indeed an other design .  But this is the commercial ski .  If you want the real WC GS SKi than you just have to say this to your job and than they can order them. The print on the ski is the same but the 2 “mountains” on iet arent there.

Atomic GS:11 2004
Written by Ski Review Guest on 01/09

i have skiied gs 11’s for the past three years now and they are great..in the middle of last year i broke one and the atomic representative at the mountain i ski took it back and got me a new pair for free.. plus they were also this years model..iv used these skis 29 times this year and my only complaint is they arnt the best ski for moguls other then that theyre a great ski

Atomic GS:11 2004
Written by Ski Review Guest on 01/24

I just bought 181 GS11 for one hour, I pay the money , but don’t see it right now, It is coming to me from the other city. Just waitting, How the feel to ski? exciting…... expecting…...

Atomic GS:11 2004
Written by Ski Review Guest on 02/18

I want a pair!!!!!!!!

Atomic GS:11 2004
Written by Ski Review Guest on 02/21

I’ve been racing for a year and i’m wondering if this is a REALLY good ski for racing, cause everyone seems to like it but is it better than the Elan, Fischer, etc…

Atomic GS:11 2004
Written by Ski Review Guest on 10/02

I am from a place where we ski on ice. This isn’t the hard pack snow “ice” this is true blue ice. these skis in the 181 race stock version wont ever slide out (as long as you sharpen the edges every month or so) I teach skiing and snowboarding and I am also an FIS racer

If a 125 pound kid can go 0-60 in 15 seconds on a green slope this is going to be the ski he is on.

Atomic GS:11 2004
Written by Ski Review Guest on 12/31

awsome edge & very stable

Atomic GS:11 2004
Written by Ski Review Guest on 03/11

tried these out the other night. fast,fast,fast.. very stable, turning or straight.

Atomic GS:11 2004
Written by Ski Review Guest on 01/05

Last week was my first time on a mountain in 9 years, due to a serious accident< tried the Solamon x-wing - nice ski/this week I bought the GSll, my hair was on fire, miss the sport, love the sport, now I can ski and break neck speed - with TOTAL confidence

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