Icelantic Pilgrim's

Just got a pair of 07/08 169cm Icelantic Pilgrim's in return for mounting a bunch of skis for the distributor. I understand that Icelantic is a small 'hand made' operation in Colorado.

Anyone skied 'em & how'd they go?

funny you should ask...

i was @ Loveland today and the Icelantic crew was there giving free demos.

i tried the Shaman and the Nomad.

interesting skis. VERY short (I normally ski a 180, so a 168 feels tiny).

the conditions were windblown soft pow at the top of the mountain tapering off to dust on crust with hidden death cookies and then hard pack refrozen gunk.

the skis RIP in the pow and dust on crust (as long as you dig 'em in). they don't too much cotton to the death cookies or hard pack refrozen, unless you REALLY stay on top of them.

i found the Shaman to be pretty stable straightlining and at speed (but nowhere near as stable as my 180 King Salmons). The only real problem is the tip shovel is HUGE and was a pain to work through hard bumps.

the nomad was a bit more nimble (narrower tip) and rode the pow and dust just as well as the Shaman. however, while it was easier to work through hard bumps, it was a LOT more skittish on the flats and when straightlining.

my ideal Icelantic would be one that had the dimensions of the Shaman with the shape of the Nomad and a minimum running length of 175 - 180.

i told the guys this and they appreciated the feedback.

i gotta say they were cool cats. I actually spent about 40 minutes talking to Ben, the kid who started the company out of his garage back when he was in college. nice cat.

not only did they let me take the skis out for about 45 minutes each, at the end of the day when i returned 'em they gave me a free beer!

that's customer service, baby!

i believe the Pilgrim is their more "park" oriented board, which i didn't try.

I really liked the 173 shamans's if I see them cheap I will buy them, but 600 bucks is way to much IMO.

I've been looking into Icelantic for a while now. I'm a Vermont Skier, 5 10, 220 (beer is so good), but still have some athletic ability. I'm looking at the Pilgrim as my Fresh Snow / Tree Ski this year. I hear that it has excellent carving ability, however I wonder how its going to do in the icy spots on the Ice Coast. The ski's for 2010 are looking amazing. I'm holding out just so I can have the new Pilgrim design, which in my opinion goes back to the 07/08 look. Can't Wait.

I'll admit that the icelantics have got my interest piqued this year more than ever, not that I need a new ski. 
 There are some good reviews here
http://www.epicski.com/products/icelantic-nomad-alpine-ski/reviews
http://www.epicski.com/products/icelantic-pilgrim-alpine-ski/reviews#65

You've gatta see the art for this years though. It looks great. I wasn't such a fan of last years.

 I understand that its wicked cool this year.  I can't wait to get my hands on a brochure!

I've asked my friends at Pilgrim to drop by and comment in this thread... Perhaps Annelise will even drop in a photo or two... 

Ahhh.  Yes, the new graphics are indeed something else.  The theme for the 09-10 season is "The Senses" : Taste, Touch, Hearing, Smell and Sight.
Here's a sneak peak of what's in store.......

The idea of using the senses as the theme for graphix is interesting. 
I'm not sure the one you posted grabs my interest but it grabs my attention. 

I do like what they do, it is kinda "Roger Dean-ish"

In the image posted above the graphix almost seem to have a black light effect.  How does this translate to its appearance in person?

I got these images from an earlier post - sorry can't remember the link

Danollie



Nomad - there's a soft version this year - Finndog has a pair of these he's skiing in Chile 
www.epicski.com/forum/thread/85016/10-icelantic-nomad-sft-soft#post_1113949 (and his pics are better than these)



Pilgrim and Scout




Shaman



I prefer these graphics over the 2009 models, but I got such a steal on a pair of shamans, I couldn't turn them down.  now I just have to wait for snow......

 I recall seeing those now.  I like the senses theme.


Amloevlie, Sorry for slipping with my manners.....Welcome to EpicSki!

As long as its not boilerplate, they are great, you can always throw a 1:3 on them for extra grip but its a fantastic ski. You won't beleive your skiingon 90 underfoot.





WELCOME!  I see you finally took the plunge. Good to have you here. I love the new graphics although Travis never fails to deliver, the image of Joan of Arc on last years pilgrim is somewhat disturbing yet confidence inspiring all at the same time.  :)

This is obviously the same graphix in two different tones.  Are the skis produced with both options?

the last picture is of the Da'Nollie. this is a park specific ski. The Nomad SFT is produced in a slightly different color scheme to deliiate the two.

HI TrekChcik - thanks for the welcome!  
The difference in the colors in these photos comes from one being a real photograph, and the other being a jpeg of the topsheet.  There is not really a "Black light" affect in person.....  The most accurate representation is definitely the photograph of the tradeshow booth.
The Da'Nollies have a sweet new topsheet material also - it's textured, like kevlar, so it will hopefully prevent chipping and scratching - perfect for park rats.  They're rough on skis!  In a good way. ;-)

 Thanks for the added info.  I've been drooling over the 10 line up after a friend suggested that I need a Pilgrim.
I'm not quite sure about the definition of need. Perhaps you can clear that up...

I'm going to mount them with some marker dukes or jesters. They're going to be my go to ski on fresh days and I think I'm going with Head Monster im82 for my ice / crud buster ski. Its going to be an awesome winter

you will love them for sure I have them mounted with Griffs'. Unless your hiking, no need for dukes. If you weigh under 200, you can go Griff's and be fine.  Pay attention to the mount points. In the past, I have gone +1 or 2 from BS. Its a preference thing but I found this mark to good for a neutral skiing position.
Edited by Finndog - 8/14/2009 at 06:37 pm GMT

NEED?  I thought we had that all cleared up?  :)    .... I want them..... I must have them... I need them... 

Similar to Finn's advice:  you NEED to satisfy your wants so that you don't live your life frustrated.  It is good for your health not to have a lot of frustration in your life.

Here's one of Merriam-Webster's definition of "need":  a lack of something requisite, desirable, or useful b : a physiological or psychological requirement for the well-being of an organism.

I wouldn't hesitate to say that skis/skiing is a psychological requirement for my well-being.  If you can relate, then I think you have the need.  

If You Weigh Under 200?  You better be talking to bsummit!!!!




I see that your definition resembles my Friend Finn as well as my other Phriend, Phil......

amloevlie, you speak my language!
You are going to get along here just fine. 

First. I NEED those Pilgrims. I can't wait to make some tree runs with those puppies at killington.

Second. I'm looking at jesters because ever sense I found out how glorious beer was I haven't been able to get rid of this belly. The only reason why I was looking at dukes was because I found some for 220.

I'm 5'10, 225 lb. Just breaking into advanced / expert runs in the east. This will be my first season with NEW gear, not 2nd hand stuff like I've had all my life (why is skiing so expensive?).

Going 177 with the pilgrims...Thinking about going 172 with the monster 82.

Cheers Fellas,

Soon this summer heat will be gone and we'll be back on the slopes in a blink .

You rock, my friend!

What many of you reading this thread may not realize is just how skilled Ms. Loevlie is:

 So, Steve, you're saying she kicked your butt? 

Not yet, since we haven't had the pleasure of sharing a ski day quite yet (planned for this season). However, given the evidence I've seen, I'm fully expecting that to occur. Plus, she's just a great human being, and I am honored to know her and grateful that we spend time together.

Bsummint, not being a ball-buster but they're 179''s. Enjoy, its a fantastic ski.

I want to have a "ski with Annelise day"  - yes, a brilliant marketing ploy.....