Atomic Maven 93 C Review

Despite the name's definition, the Maven 93 C is not an ideal ski for expert or advanced skiers. It is, however, an excellent choice for upper-intermediate women who want something manageable at medium speeds that will also provide decent performance when exploring off-piste snow.

Performance Comparison

Stability at Speed

The Maven 93 C provides completely adequate stability at medium speeds for the upper-intermediate skier. It is predictable, reliable, and makes a comfortable and fun short or medium radius turn. Our issues with the ski arose when we tried to bring it into a larger radius, higher speed turn. There, it seemed to hold an edge rather than chattering, but it seemed to almost bounce through it. It was almost as if the Maven wasn't interested in making a bigger, faster turn and kept trying to release us out of it and into something shorter and less frightening for it. The tips also got pretty flappy at our highest speeds.

Carving Ability

We found the turn radius of this ski to be significantly shorter than its advertised 17.9 meters, possibly because it is very easy to bend, allowing us to arc a tighter turn with ease. With this in mind, we'd recommend this ski to ladies to are learning to carve and lay two clean tracks down in the snow behind them. The Maven 93 C is still fun to carve in a short-to-medium radius turn for those who've already mastered this skill. It can hold the edge in this type of turn through softer snow but doesn't grip as well on hard-pack or steeps. We again found the tips flapping in higher-speed carved turns, but the edge underfoot held decently.

Powder Performance

In “entry-level” powder conditions, when the fresh snow was lightweight and fluffy, the Maven 93 C stayed on top and was easy to turn. It was less adept when the snow got a bit denser, but this could be expected from a ski with only 93 millimeters of width underfoot. If you're just starting to venture out into the world of fresh powder and doing it on mellower pitches, this ski is a great device. For those already charging the steeps in knee-deep freshies, the Maven 93 C isn't enough ski.

Crud Performance

While the Maven 93 C doesn't have the construction to blast through choppy snow, it does have enough dampening qualities that as we surfed across the top, it still gave us a smooth ride. One tester commented that because it is such a light ski, she could just get it into the air to avoid the worst chunky sections (though this is an unlikely strategy for an intermediate skier). We still noticed the tips flopping around in the crud, but this ski held its own if we were on shallower pitches and less pervasive chop.

Terrain Playfulness

The Maven 93 C's keenness to make a quick, tight turn surprised us given its nearly 18-meter turn radius and offered us some insight into its more playful nature. This ski has a decent amount of fun rebound, which remains accessible to lighter and mellower skiers since it is relatively easy to bend. It also felt light under our feet, easy to spring into the air, and stable enough for solid landings at medium speeds.

Bumps

We were nervous that the large labeled turn radius would make it cumbersome in a mogul field, but once again, the Maven 93 C snugged up its turns and made bump skiing fun even for those who are not always fans of the environment. Its reduced weight and propensity for pivoting the turn allowed it to move easily through and over the peaks and troughs.

Should You Buy the Maven 93 C?

Even though it received some pretty low scores, the Atomic Maven 93 C still offers a good value for the right consumer. If you are an upper-intermediate to lower-advanced skier looking for one ski that will do it all, this ski provides an excellent entry point into the off-piste world. Just be prepared to upgrade in a few years to something a little more high-performance once you outgrow the abilities of this ski.

What Other Women's All-Mountain Skis Should You Consider?

For anyone who is already confidently skiing off-piste, double-black runs, the Atomic Maven 93 C isn't going to be enough ski for your abilities. If you ski this terrain mostly in powder conditions, the Elan Ripstick 94 W should be your ski of choice. If you need something to ski every other snow condition confidently, the Nordica Santa Ana 98 is a great option. If you'd rather stick to groomers, the ultra-stable Volkl Secret 96 or extra-carvy Blizzard Black Pearl 94 is more your style.