Daron Rahlves in the new Atomic outerwear. ATOMIC photo.
Atomic is brand that has carved—and buttered and stomped—a reputation in the ski world that precedes itself. With roots firmly planted in hardgoods, Atomic’s product line has garnered devout followers over the years. Atomic skis are up to any task, whether you’re banging plastic gates clicked into the Redster, spinning off-axis rotations in the park on a pair of 
A sneak peak at Atomic's new Cliffline Stormfold jacket. ATOMIC photo.
The global Atomic brass convened in Salzburg, Austria recently—the charming city nestled in the Alps a few hundred klicks from the Atomic HQ in Altenmarkt—to officially announce the launch of the outerwear line that has been in the works for more than three years. TGR mainstays Dana Flahr and Daron Rahlves were on-hand to usher in the line, both dudes will be donning the gear in its inaugural year this winter.
Dana and Daron at the revealing of the new outerwear line in Austria this fall. ATOMIC photo.
“I was given the first sample last April, right before flying up to AK for TGR’s Fantasy Camp,” says Flahr. “I really tested the gear up there. Everyone at Atomic is really good at listening and open to ideas. There has been a lot of work put into this gear. We’re bringing a super lightweight layering system to the market, and people are going to be stoked on it.”
With gear for men and women, the Atomic team decided to make three tiers to the new outerwear line. “There’s something designed for whatever type of skiing you’re into,” says Flahr. Are you looking to blast big-mountain lines, bootpack to the goods, and get after it? The Cliffline series—the same pieces that Dana Flahr sported with TGR in Alaska while filming “Way of Life”—is the perfect go-to. The Ridgeline series is for skiers who balance between on- and off-piste, spending most of their time on the frontside of the mountain while also sliding through a gate every now and then. And, The Treeline series was designed specifically for the skier who arches bell-to-bell turns on groomers.
Daron Rahlves. ATOMIC photo.
When it comes to cost, expect something between Arc’teryx and Salomon—two companies also owned by Atomic’s parent company, Amer Sports. And, expect a product that stands up to both brands. Every line—Cliffline, Ridgeline, and Treeline—has an insulation and shell piece that work seamlessly together and integrate with the pants, giving you a single kit made for any type of condition you’ll find in the mountains.
“I have never really been that excited about outerwear until this Atomic line,” says Rahlves, who always wore what was handed to him. That all changed, however, as soon as he saw the direction Atomic was heading with its new gear. Now, you’ll hear Rahlves saying things like, “Pertex is a three-way stretch with a ton of breathability,” referring to the fabric that Atomic uses to make the incredibly lightweight shell for the Ridgeline jacket.
Dana Flahr, testing the new outerwear to the right. ATOMIC photos.
During the unveiling in Salzburg, Atomic’s new outerwear line turned heads. The models and dancers that were sporting the stuff, strutting on the runway, and breakdancing were putting the clothes through their paces. But, it’s made for the mountains, and you’ll soon be seeing it in liftlines and on skintracks as it will be going on sale in select retailers this winter.
“We have the resources,” says Rahlves. “We’ve always been making the gear that skiers want. Now, Atomic is making the best stuff from the snow up—both hardgoods and outerwear.”
About The Author
stash member Greg Fitzsimmons
Greg grew up surfing Santa Cruz and skiing Tahoe as much as possible. After college, Fitzsimmons landed a gig at Francis Ford Coppola's literary magazine and got hooked on publishing. Fitzsimmons now tries to make rent in Aspen as a freelance writer.