Icelantic Tempest 88 — Review

The Tempest 88 is the narrowest ski in Icelantic's brand-new women's all-mountain line for 26-27, sitting alongside the men's Torrent series. Verified sidecut at 169 cm is 132-88-116 mm with a 14 m radius, and Blister measures roughly 1620 g per ski at that length. It shares the same core recipe as the Torrent — a poplar and birch wood core with the new V12 Carbon Matrix in place of titanal — and targets the intermediate-to-advanced woman who wants a directional, snappy all-mountain ski without the heft of a titanal frontside carver.

The 88 mm waist and 14 m radius at 169 cm make the Tempest 88 a natural medium-radius carver on groomed snow with an easy short-turn bias when you want it. Blister's roughly 1620 g measurement at 169 cm is decidedly lighter than most titanal-built women's 88s — closer in feel to a Head Kore 87 Ti W — so it swings and pivots without the fight some heavier rivals put up. The V12 Carbon Matrix delivers rebound out of the turn rather than mid-turn damping, which pairs well with a centered stance. Off piste the narrow waist holds edge in packed snow and light crud but wants deliberate technique in variable conditions.

Poplar and birch make up the wood core, with V12 Carbon Matrix stringers running in a V shape through the tip and tail — same recipe as the Torrent 88 but tuned to a lighter women-specific flex. Sidecut at 169 cm is 132-88-116 mm, 14 m radius — a genuine medium-radius carver rather than a slalom shape or a long-line frontside ski. Verified lengths include 155, 162 and 169 cm; longer options may follow the Tempest 94's 176 cm at retailer request. Base is sintered.

Compared to the Head Kore 87 Ti W the Tempest 88 shares the light, carbon-driven ethos but leans a touch livelier out of the turn thanks to the V12 stringers. Against the Icelantic Riveter 85, which stays in the range as the freeride-leaning women's 85, the Tempest 88 is more piste-oriented and directional. Buyers who want a more taper-driven, playful shape at similar width should still look at the Riveter first.

Pros

• Verified light weight (~1620 g at 169 cm) makes short turns and long days effortless.
• V12 Carbon Matrix delivers snappy release out of medium turns.
• 14 m radius at 169 cm is accessible for medium-turn carving.
• Approachable enough for a strong intermediate woman to grow into.

Cons

• Less damping than titanal rivals in heavy crud and high-speed chop.
• Narrower length range than the Tempest 94 — no verified sub-155 or above-169 cm options.
• Directional shape limits switch or park work.
• Resort binding only — no touring compatibility.

Verdict: A light, snappy 88 mm women's frontside all-mountain ski that swaps titanal damping for V12 Carbon Matrix pop. Best for advanced-intermediates and up who want an easy medium-radius carver with room to grow.