Icelantic Torrent 88 — Review

The Torrent 88 opens Icelantic's redesigned all-mountain family for 26-27, replacing the outgoing Pioneer 86 as the brand's narrowest resort-oriented shape. It targets the intermediate-to-advanced frontside skier who wants a directional, snappy ski that still feels approachable on medium-radius turns. Verified sidecut is 132-88-116 mm at 182 cm with a 17 m radius, and Icelantic pairs a poplar and birch wood core with its new V12 Carbon Matrix — stacked carbon stringers shaped like a V through the tip and tail — in place of the titanal laminates most 88 mm all-mountain skis use.

The 88 mm waist and directional rocker profile bias the Torrent 88 toward carved, medium-length turns on groomed snow and firm off-piste sections. Blister's measured weight of roughly 1810 g per ski at 182 cm sits below most titanal peers in the segment, which shifts the feel toward a lighter, more energetic ride rather than the plow-through-anything damping of a titanal all-mountain 88. The V12 Carbon Matrix, per Icelantic, adds rebound out of the turn rather than pure mid-turn stability, so the ski tends to reward skiers who stay centered and let it uncoil rather than driving through the shovel with fore-aft aggression. Off piste it holds its line in packed snow and light chop, but the narrow waist and firmer camber mean it wants a committed edge in variable conditions.

The construction is deliberately carbon-based, not titanal. Poplar provides the base torsional stiffness, birch adds edge grip and a bit of dampening, and the V12 Carbon Matrix stringers deliver directional pop through the tip and tail. Sidecut is 132-88-116 mm at 182 cm, sidecut radius 17 m — a moderate-radius shape that will feel most natural at medium-length turns rather than short slalom arcs or long GS lines. Available lengths are 166, 171, 176, 182 and 188 cm, giving reasonable coverage from advanced-intermediates through taller advanced skiers. Base is sintered, standard for the segment.

The Torrent 88 sits in a busy segment of directional 88 mm all-mountain skis. Compared to the Head Kore 88 Ti it is similar in stated shape but noticeably lighter and less damp — closer in feel to a pure carbon Kore than the titanal version. Against the K2 Mindbender 89Ti the Torrent gives up some crud-plowing authority in exchange for lower swing weight and a livelier release from the turn. Within Icelantic itself it replaces the Icelantic Pioneer 86 at the frontside end of the range, though the Pioneer stays in catalog while stock lasts.

Pros

• Verified light weight of about 1810 g per ski at 182 cm makes it easy to swing and pivot.
• Snappy, energetic feel out of medium-radius turns thanks to the V12 Carbon Matrix.
• Approachable enough for a strong intermediate to grow into.
• Broad 5-length range from 166 to 188 cm covers most adult skiers.

Cons

• Less damp than titanal-built 88 mm all-mountain rivals in heavy chop.
• 17 m radius is not ideal for skiers who prefer very short-turn slalom skis.
• No touring binding compatibility — a resort ski first.
• Directional shape limits switch or park work.

Verdict: A snappy, directional 88 mm frontside all-mountain ski that trades titanal damping for a lighter, more energetic ride. Best for advanced-intermediates and up who want an approachable carver with room to grow.