Review: Icelantic Riveter 104 Skis · Women's · 2023
By Ski Expert
Leo Cocchiara
5 photos
The Curated Take
4.0/5
The Icelantic Riveter 104 is a versatile, high-performing all-mountain ski, ideal for advanced skiers in the West. It is exceptionally capable in powder, off-piste, and crud. The ski also delivers impressive carving, high-speed stability, and playfulness, ensuring adaptability to varied conditions. Its 104mm waist width, early rise rocker, and quick turn radius aid in easy turn initiation. The handcrafted quality, backed by a top-tier three-year warranty, and sustainability credentials further enhance its appeal. It is not a good option for beginners or terrain park enthusiasts.
Ideal for
- Very well-balanced
- Great float in powder
- Good stability and dampening in crud
Not ideal for
- Little heavy for the class
- Not for terrain park
- Not for beginners
Flotation
Because the Riveter 104 has the tools needed to handle all but the deepest of powder ideally, it is an ideal one-ski quiver for those in the Western territories. The...Read more
Carving
Carving is a very specific discipline in skiing that only some people do consistently, but when there's nothing but corduroy on the mountain, laying down carves is one of the...Read more
High Speed Stability
I am a fast skier. My style can be compared to a linebacker being shot out of a cannon when barreling down the hill. I push skis on high-speed stability...Read more
Playfulness
Icelantic is known for making skis on the more playful side of the spectrum. When I say "playful," I mean skis willing to smear their turns, have some flexibility in...Read more
Durability
Icelantic skis are handmade in their Denver factory, literally a stone's throw from my home, so it's been a privilege to see them made firsthand. The level of care the...Read more
Turn Ease
The turn radius of a ski is the distance in meters required if someone takes the side cut of a ski and projects that line into a full circle. A...Read more
Versatility
The Riveter 104 is such a good all arounder that its versatility is its best selling point. Most people want the one ski they can do it all with. Those...Read more
Expert Reviews of the Icelantic Riveter 104 Skis
Leo Cocchiara The Icelantic Riveter 104 is a well-balanced all-mountain ski that handles powder like a dream and can still lay down edges on command. It's ideal for high-level intermediate, advanced, and expert skiers out West. It excels in off-piste, crud, and powder with impressive stability and dampening. I took these out multiple times this season, but the best day on them was in Utah, where we had wildly variable conditions. The morning was sunny with fresh powder from the night before. By noon, it was skied out with snow a little melted, so it was getting cruddy and bumpy in the off-groomed terrain. By the afternoon, the groomers were getting slick and icy. Despite this, the Riveter 104 confidently managed every aspect of that day. No matter how much the conditions changed, I had what I needed. Plus, the graphics are beautiful. While the graphics shouldn't be a significant concern when choosing a ski, it certainly adds something special when they're as nice as what Icelantic put out.
Product Specs
| Age Group | Adult |
| Gender | Women's |
| Includes bindings | No |
| Model year | 2023 |
| Ski type | All Mountain, Big Mountain, Powder |
| Skill level | Intermediate, Advanced |
Review Ratings
Flotation
4/5
Leo Cocchiara gave 4 of 5 stars. Because the Riveter 104 has the tools needed to handle all but the deepest of powder ideally, it is an ideal one-ski quiver for those in the Western territories. The 104mm waist width combined with the early rise rocker in the tips is only going to find its limits when it starts to get deeper than the knees.
Carving
4/5
Leo Cocchiara gave 4 of 5 stars. Carving is a very specific discipline in skiing that only some people do consistently, but when there's nothing but corduroy on the mountain, laying down carves is one of the most fun things skiers can do. Usually, skiers want a very skinny ski with a tight side cut and a flat tail for exceptional carving performance. Still, not everyone can justify having a carving or even a piste ski in their quiver, so it's great that the Riveter 104 can lay down impressively crisp and clean carves for a ski as wide as it is. It truly stands out as one of the better options as a ski that handles powder well, gets on edge, and carves a groomer when asked.
High Speed Stability
4/5
Leo Cocchiara gave 4 of 5 stars. I am a fast skier. My style can be compared to a linebacker being shot out of a cannon when barreling down the hill. I push skis on high-speed stability every time I demo, and the Riveter 104 exceeded my expectations when pushing them to their max. One of the things I really like about them is that they felt stable both on hardpack and in variable snow conditions. However, the lack of metal or carbon in the core makes them less damp than others in their class.
Playfulness
4/5
Leo Cocchiara gave 4 of 5 stars. Icelantic is known for making skis on the more playful side of the spectrum. When I say "playful," I mean skis willing to smear their turns, have some flexibility in the tip and tail, and are ready to deviate from a more traditional stance. The Riveter 104 is definitely a directional all-mountain ski with some good power behind it. However, it still has some nice flex in the tip and tail, the ability to smear turns and make its way down the mountain in a more loose and laidback style compared to a lot of other directional skis in its class.
Durability
4/5
Leo Cocchiara gave 4 of 5 stars. Icelantic skis are handmade in their Denver factory, literally a stone's throw from my home, so it's been a privilege to see them made firsthand. The level of care the technicians put into each step is apparent as I watch them execute their craft. They stand behind their construction so much that they offer a three-year warranty which tops the standard two years that most companies offer. The edges of the topsheet do tend to feather a bit with wear and tear, though, so be good with the pretty graphics.
Turn Ease
4/5
Leo Cocchiara gave 4 of 5 stars. The turn radius of a ski is the distance in meters required if someone takes the side cut of a ski and projects that line into a full circle. A smaller turn radius indicates a quicker turning ability. The Riveter 104's 16m turn radius for the 169cm length is very quick for a ski this wide underfoot. That quick turn radius and the early-rise rocker in the tip make initiating turns on this ski very easy. However, beginner skiers still gaining confidence in their turns might find them too difficult to start with.
Versatility
4/5
Leo Cocchiara gave 4 of 5 stars. The Riveter 104 is such a good all arounder that its versatility is its best selling point. Most people want the one ski they can do it all with. Those who live in a powder-friendly area can count on the Riveter 104 to deliver a great experience no matter what their snowpack looks like in any given season. The one place it doesn't excel is the terrain park. Its directional profile is fine for handling some basic up-and-over jumps and grabs. Still, if someone wants to take on rails, ski switch, and develop their spins, they're better off checking out her sister, the Maiden.
FAQs
What was your favorite moment with this gear?
Leo Cocchiara I took these out on a February day in Utah, where we had wildly variable weather conditions. The morning was sunny with fresh powder from the night before. By noon, it got cruddy and bumpy in the off-groomed terrain as it was skied out with some melted snow. By the afternoon, the groomers were slick and icy. The Riveter 104 managed every aspect of that day with confidence, and it was really exciting for me that no matter how much the conditions changed for me, I had what I needed on my feet.
Why did you choose this product?
Leo Cocchiara There are a lot of skis that could compete performance-wise for the versatility of the Riveter 104. But the fact that it's handmade in Colorado, B Corp certified—meaning it meets the highest sustainability standards—and has beautiful graphics sets the Riveter apart for me.
What do you love about this product?
Leo Cocchiara I love the balanced nature of this ski. It's well-rounded to handle any terrain and snow conditions, making it a great choice for a one-ski quiver in the West.
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