Icelantic Mystic 97 – Review

Icelantic’s Mystic 97 is a lightweight, playful backcountry ski with real downhill chops. At 97 mm underfoot with a directional rocker line (31 cm tip / 5 mm camber / 19 cm tail), it blends uphill efficiency, easy float, and trustworthy edge hold—ideal for skiers who want one touring ski for a wide range of conditions.

Bottom line

• Soft snow: surfs and pivots easily; great in trees and low‑density powder.
• Variable/chop: agile and composed if you ski with finesse; there is a speed ceiling in heavy chop.
• Firm/groomers: reliable bite for a light ski; some chatter on boilerplate.
• Tight terrain: quick, confidence‑inspiring, and supportive on kick turns.
• Uphill: excellent—sub‑1.6 kg per ski keeps the skintrack efficient on big days.

Who it’s for

• Backcountry skiers prioritizing low weight and a lively, forgiving feel.
• Smaller/lighter riders, or anyone skiing tight trees and steep entrances.
• 50/50 users who tour most of the time but want a capable inbounds day with a hybrid binding.

On‑snow performance

Powder and soft snow

The long tip rocker and subtle tail rise let the Mystic 97 plane quickly and slash turns without feeling washy. In anything up to knee‑deep it stays composed. For truly deep or heavy maritime storms, a wider platform (e.g., Icelantic Maiden 101) will add extra float and stability.

Mixed snow and chop

Lightweight construction makes the ski nimble rather than bulldozer‑stable. The carbon/fiberglass layup adds torsional grip so edges stay engaged, but you’ll get the best results with round, centered turns instead of straight‑line charging through set‑up chop.

Hardpack and groomers

With 5 mm of camber, full sidewalls, and 2.2 mm edges, the Mystic holds a clean line for its weight class. Expect some vibration on icy pitches; medium‑radius arcs feel most confident. The tail supports you without feeling hooky when you want to smear.

Trees, steeps, and touring

A tight sidecut (15–18 m depending on length) and directional rocker make it very maneuverable. Kick turns are easy and the tail provides enough platform on steep skin tracks. The low mass is noticeable on long vertical days.

Mounting and setup

• Mount point: use the BC‑I factory mark for balanced stance.
• Bindings: pure touring—ATK Raider, Marker Alpinist, Salomon MTN; 50/50—Salomon/Atomic Shift, Marker Kingpin.
• Brake width: 100–110 mm suits the 97 mm waist.
• Skins: 130 mm skins trimmed to the effective edge work great.

Sizing recommendations

• 155 cm: lighter/smaller skiers, tight terrain focus, maximum agility.
• 162 cm: best all‑around length for most.
• 169 cm: more stability at speed and in open alpine, slightly less flickable. Size up if you ski fast or want a 50/50 build; size down for technical missions and trees.

Specs and what they mean

• Rocker profile: Directional—tip 31 cm / camber 5 mm / tail 19 cm.
  What it means: long tip rocker for float and easy turn entry; light camber for bite; tail rocker for forgiving release and quick pivots.
• Dimensions (tip/waist/tail): 128–132 / 97 / 113 mm (varies by model year).
  What it means: 97 mm balances soft‑snow support with quick edge‑to‑edge; a generous tip aids float while the narrower tail eases exits.
• Turning radius: 15 m (155), 16 m (162), 18 m (169).
  What it means: quick to moderate arcs; confidence in trees and steeps.
• Weight (per ski, approx.): 155 ≈ 1361 g; 162 ≈ 1463 g; 169 ≈ 1542 g.
  What it means: low weight for efficient climbs; slightly more mass helps calm the ride.
• Core and laminates: Feather‑Weight wood (balsa/paulownia) + tri‑ax fiberglass + carbon stringers.
  What it means: lively feel with solid torsional stiffness and durability.
• Sidewalls/base/edges: Durasurf sidewalls, sintered P‑Tex base, 2.2 mm steel edges.
  What it means: durable construction, fast glide, and dependable edge life for touring.
• Lengths: 155, 162, 169 cm.
  What it means: three smart steps cover most skier sizes and uses.

Comparisons

• Black Crows Camox Freebird (96 mm): heavier and calmer in refrozen crud; not as playful uphill/downhill. Mystic 97 is lighter and more nimble.
• Atomic Backland 98 W: even lighter and climbs brilliantly, but less damp and slightly less secure on boilerplate. Mystic 97 feels a touch more composed.
• K2 Talkback 96: similar weight; firmer underfoot with better support on hard traverses, but a less forgiving tail. Mystic is surfier and more fun.
• Blizzard Hustle 9 (94 mm): more inbounds authority and high‑speed stability, but heavier. Choose Hustle for 50/50 with a downhill bias; Mystic for tour‑first.

Potential drawbacks

• Noticeable speed limit and less “smash‑through” in heavy chop.
• Some chatter on ice compared to heavier skis.
• Minor year‑to‑year spec variance (tip width/weight)—check your specific ski.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Is the Icelantic Mystic 97 good for 50/50 resort and touring?
A: Yes, with a hybrid binding like a Shift or Kingpin, the Icelantic Mystic 97 can handle inbounds days. Just note it won’t bulldoze refrozen chop like a heavier alpine ski.

Q: What length should I choose?
A: Most skiers will be happiest on 162 cm. Go 169 cm if you want more stability and open‑terrain confidence, or 155 cm if you’re lighter or prioritize tight spaces.

Q: What brake size and skins fit best?
A: A 100–110 mm brake pairs well with the 97 mm waist. Use 130 mm skins trimmed to the steel edges for secure grip without extra drag.

Q: How does it compare to the Icelantic Maiden 101?
A: The Maiden 101 is a heavier, more resort‑oriented freeride ski with extra float. The Mystic 97 is lighter and tuned for touring while staying fun and capable downhill.

Key takeaways

• Lightweight, lively, and efficient on the skintrack.
• Versatile in soft and mixed snow; adequate grip on firm.
• Best when skied with finesse rather than brute force in chop.