Tell Me About It: North Atmos Ultra
The brand-new Atmos Ultra is the lightest board North have produced yet. We gave the team a shout to find out more about this high-performance freeride twintip.
Photos Andy Troy
THEKITEMAG ISSUE #64
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The brand-new Atmos Ultra is the lightest board North have produced yet. We gave the team a shout to find out more about this high-performance freeride twintip.
Photos Andy Troy
Tell us how you have been able to produce such a light board!
The ultra-light (sub-2kg) weight comes from combining a dual-density AirLite PMI foam core with a Paulownia wood frame. Higher-density foam reinforcement under the heels prevents core crush, while the Y-shaped frame absorbs slamming impacts and transfers loads efficiently. The board layup uses varying grades and weights of carbon – including High Modulus Carbon UD Tape – to reinforce critical areas and optimize stiffness and flex selectively. Additionally, we’ve developed a new printing method that shaves excess weight by eliminating weighty top sheets and printing directly onto the carbon. Weighing in just 1.8kg (138cm), the board feels truly alive under your feet.
What type of rider will the Ultra suit? It’s not designed for the hardest landings, right?
The Ultra is primarily designed for riders seeking a high-performance freeride experience focused on lightweight comfort, responsive ride feel, and smooth control. It’s also for riders who tend toward marathon-length sessions on the water, as the lighter weight means less fatigue. You’re right, the Atmos Ultra is not built for the hardest landings or extreme Big Air punishment. For riders looking for maximum durability and the ability to absorb heavy crashes, we recommend the Atmos or Atmos Pro instead.
Does the Ultra have the 3DY Technology like the other Atmos boards?
Yes, the Ultra retains our signature 3DY Carbon technology, with the addition of High Modulus Carbon. This creates a stiff beam between the bindings and tips for explosive pop and fast edge response, while allowing targeted flex elsewhere for shock absorption, making the ride smooth yet lively.
Talk us through the Ultra’s shape and rocker and how this affects its performance.
Like the Atmos Pro, Atmos and Astra, the Atmos Ultra features a double concave-to-deep-V center spine with quad channels, and extended grip channels outside the double concave. The bottom contours enable smoother landings and powerful upwind riding, with greater edge control than ever before. Quad channel tips push water flow out towards the fins for effective tracking, and the medium-high outline curve delivers easy carving through turns. Its progressive medium rocker and rail profiles are tuned for both early planing and powered riding, balancing quick pop with comfortable ride characteristics.
What bindings would you recommend for the Ultra?
The Atmos Ultra is complemented by our lightweight, cushioned Flex Pro bindings, which feature triple-density dynamic support technology. The Flex Pro are available in four sizes to ensure a comfortable, secure fit, and positioned to take advantage of the Atmos Ultra’s FlipTech centerline mounting, which extends the life of your rails.
Who has been involved with the design and testing of the Ultra? And has the rest of the team enjoyed riding it?
The Ultra was developed and tested collaboratively by North’s Design Engineers and top International Team Riders focused on pushing freeride boundaries. Feedback from the likes of Marc Jacobs and Cohan van Dijk has been highly positive, praising the Ultra’s incredibly light feel, fluid ride, precise control, and overall comfort. We like to say it’s the board we always dreamed of making and the entire team’s favorite for smooth freeride sessions, with its “crazy light feeling”, freedom, and instant feedback to every movement. ■
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