Icelantic Shaman 110 Review

Icelantic’s Shaman 110 is a modern take on the brand’s cult classic: a wildly tapered, wide‑shovel freeride/all‑mountain ski that actually loves to carve. With 8 mm of camber underfoot, modest tip/tail rocker, and a short turn radius, it blends on‑piste energy with soft‑snow float. Handmade in Colorado with a poplar core and tri‑axial fiberglass, it’s lively and precise without metal.

On‑snow performance

Groomers & carving: Strong edge hold from the camber and full sidewall, with near‑automatic turn initiation. The short radius (13.5–17 m by length) encourages quick, round carves and fall‑line direction changes. At very high speeds in rough snow, it’s not as damp as metal‑laminate chargers; it rewards an active, dynamic style.
Powder & soft snow: The huge, tapered shovel planes up easily while the narrower, rockered tail releases smoothly. You get surfy slarves when you want them, yet camber maintains rebound and support. Not a pure surf stick, but excellent float for a 110‑mm platform.
Trees, steeps, bumps: Rapid pivoting and edge‑to‑edge quickness make it intuitive in tight spaces. The big tip can feel like a lot in zipper‑line moguls, but the supportive tail doesn’t punish small mistakes.
Chop & mixed snow: Moderate weight and rubber damping handle tracked snow respectably, though this isn’t a bulldozer. Stay balanced and let the sidecut work; drive too hard and the tip can feel a touch busy.

Construction & materials

Poplar wood core + tri‑axial fiberglass: energetic, torsionally strong, and predictable without the weight of metal.
Durasurf 4001 sintered base + ~2.2 mm steel edges: fast and durable for resort use.
Full sidewall (Durasurf 2001): solid edge hold and direct power transfer.
Handmade in Colorado, backed by Icelantic’s warranty.

Sizing & mounting

Length guidance: 169 cm for lighter/smaller or tree‑focused skiers; 176 cm as the all‑round sweet spot; 182 cm for more stability, speed, and float.
Weight (per pair): about 3.88 kg (169), 4.14 kg (176), 4.39 kg (182) — ideal for lift‑served days, not built for long tours.
Mount: Use the recommended line for the intended balance—confident tip engagement with a neutral‑to‑slightly‑forward stance.

Comparisons

DPS Pagoda 112 RP: Both love quick, short‑radius turns. The DPS is lighter, pricier, and surfier; the Shaman is more carve‑biased and stronger on‑piste.
Black Crows Atris (105): Atris is more neutral and speed‑stable; Shaman is quicker across the fall line and offers more tip‑driven float.
Blizzard Rustler 11: Rustler is damper with metal and calmer in heavy chop; Shaman feels livelier and snappier in shorter turns.
Nordica Enforcer 110 Free: Heavier and more composed for charging; Shaman is nimbler and more eager to carve.

Key takeaways

Carve power on a 110‑mm chassis: short radius and 8 mm camber deliver grip and energy.
Big float without going full surf: huge tapered tip and rockered tail rise easily and release cleanly.
Best for dynamic skiers; less ideal if you want maximum high‑speed damping.

Specs and what they mean

Rocker profile (camber with tip/tail rocker): Camber = edge hold and rebound; rocker = easier initiation, pivot, and float.
Tip/waist/tail (160/110/130 mm): Massive tip plus tapered tail = quick turn entry, strong float, and easy tail release.
Turn radius (13.5/15/17 m): Shorter radii favor quick, energetic short‑to‑medium carves over long, flat GS arcs.
Weight (~1940–2200 g per ski): Stable enough for resort crud; not intended for big backcountry missions.
Lengths (169/176/182 cm): Choose by size, speed, terrain, and float needs.

Who is it for?

Intermediate‑advanced to expert skiers who like a playful, carve‑friendly freeride feel—resort days with soft snow, trees, and technical lines. If your priority is mowing down chop at Mach speed, a heavier metal ski will feel calmer.

Frequently asked questions

Q: How does the Icelantic Shaman 110 handle ice and hardpack?
A: For a 110‑mm ski, edge hold is impressive thanks to camber and full sidewalls. On true ice, a narrower frontside ski will still be more efficient, but the Shaman holds its own on firm groomers.

Q: Is it a powder ski or an all‑mountain ski?
A: It’s an all‑mountain/freeride ski with real powder chops. The Shaman 110 mixes carving character with float; not a pure 118+ surf board, but very capable on storm days.

Q: What length should I choose?
A: 169 cm for lighter riders or maximum agility, 176 cm for most skiers, 182 cm if you’re heavier, faster, or want more stability and float. When in doubt, pick your usual all‑mountain length.

Q: Can I tour on the Shaman 110?
A: You can with a hybrid binding for short sidecountry laps, but its weight and build are optimized for lift‑served resort skiing. For long tours, go lighter.