Powder Review: Icelantic Pioneer X
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In a nutshell
In the Pioneer X, Icelantic has made a very approachable ski that a lot of skiers will get along with just fine.
Length Skied: 182 cm
Weight: 1904 g
Stated Dimensions: 131-96-118 mm
Stated Sidecut: 19 m
Recommended Mount Point: -8 cm
Icelandic's Pioneer X is available now.
Intro
Icelantic’s Pioneer series is their all-mountain lineup, skis designed to do most things, for most skiers. The Pioneer 96 is the most versatile model in that lineup, it’s got enough float to handle powder skiing, at a waist width that can excel on groomers as well. New for this year, Icelantic is marketing the Pioneer X. In their words it’s a beefed up and elevated version of the Pioneer 96. It adds beech wood to the regular Pioneer’s all poplar core, along with a carbon fiber “veil” that Icelantic says adds torsional rigidity and liveliness.
So, in short, the Pioneer X is designed for skiers who liked some aspects of the regular Pioneer, but wanted more. If that sounds like you, X gon’ give it to ya.
Length and Mount Point
As usual, I skied the 182 Pioneer X. Generally, I choose the ski length that falls closest to 184 cm for most skis, with some exceptions. After skiing the Pioneer X, I’m confident in that choice. I could have bumped up to the 188 cm Pioneer X, but, especially for skis under 100 mm underfoot, I don’t personally see much benefit in sizing up. So much of the fun in narrower skis comes from their nimble character, why hamper that by sizing up?
The Pioneer X is a unisex ski, available in lengths from 166 to 188 cm.
The Pioneer X has a recommended mount point of -8 cm. That’s fairly normal for this class of all-mountain ski. It’s not super far back and traditional, or super center mounted.
Where does the Icelantic Pioneer X shine?
I had the most fun on the Pioneer X on soft groomers and cat tracks with side hits. In the right snow, the Pioneer X provides a fun, energetic ride. It’s easy to bounce back and forth between turns, and provides plenty of energy. It’s also quite easy to get into the air, and once there, it feels pretty light. So it’s a fun ski to go hunting side hits with, boosting small lips and trying to shifty everything.
On soft, consistent groomers I really enjoyed the Pioneer X. I didn’t get a chance to ski it in slush, but of all the skis I’ve been on this year, I think the Pioneer X might be one of the most fun in slushy spring snow.
Despite its name and intentions, the Pioneer X is pretty easygoing. It initiates turns very easily, and is nimble and easy to pivot at lower speeds and in tight terrain. I think intermediate skiers, and anyone looking for an easygoing ride are going to enjoy the Pioneer X. But…
Where does the Icelantic Pioneer X make some compromises?
Since the Pioneer X is the “beefed up” version of the regular Pioneer 96, I expected it to be, well, meaner. Instead, I felt like I found the top end of the Pioneer X rather quickly. It’s not a super stable ski. I had noticeable tip flap, even at moderate speeds, in pretty good snow. And on firm almost icy groomers, it didn’t have great edge hold. In inconsistent snow, the Pioneer X wasn’t that stable, I felt like I was doing a fair amount of work to keep it tracking where I wanted it to. And on landings it felt like it had a tendency to wash out if I wasn’t on my game and centered.
If you want a ski with a ton of suspension that makes mediocre snow feel better than it actually is, look elsewhere. The Pioneer X had a tendency to feel a little pingy and give a lot of feedback from the snow up into my boots.
And yes, I know, the immediate feedback will be that I “should have been on the 188.” Sure, I could ski the 188. And it would probably be more stable. But I’ve skied a bunch of 180-185 cm skis in this class this year. All of those statements are made in comparison to them. This is just not one of the more aggressive skis in this class, which could be a very good thing for a lot of skiers.
Like all skis, the Pioneer X can’t be everything to everyone. It is, after all, still a 1900 g ski. It’s very approachable, and will offer a great platform for intermediate skiers who want to push themselves. But it doesn’t have the highest top end in this class by any means.
What would a perfect day on the Icelantic Pioneer X look like?
It’s finally spring! Groomers are soft and slushy, and everything has that wonderful aroma of sunscreen. You’re bouncing back and forth from turn to turn, and popping off of every little lip you can find, feeling more confident in your skills every lap.
