Fortunate Seven.
[Editor’s Note: the 2024-2025 Icelantic Saba Pro 107 features new art, but it is the same ski structurally as when it was released. This Icelantic Saba Pro 107 review was originally published in April 2021.]
Forward of the 2020-21 ski season, our neighbors at Icelantic introduced their skilled athletes collectively to create two professional collab skis: the Saba Professional and the Nia Professional. The Icelantic crew mentioned the skis have been designed across the “fortunate seven” theme—”Saba” is the Swahili phrase for “seven,” and “Nia” is among the seven sacred ideas for collaboration. It’s a pleasant story, however we all know the names are actually a nod to Powder7.
Anyway, we’re massive followers of each authentic professional skis. So, when Icelantic introduced a narrower model of the 117mm Saba Professional for 2021-22, our staffers grew immediately curious. Would the Saba Professional 107 ski in addition to we hoped?
Icelantic Saba Professional 107 Assessment: Discipline Notes
One query chances are you’ll instantly ask is whether or not the Saba Professional 107 is only a barely wider Nia Professional with totally different artwork. Whereas the brand new ski does look quite a bit like its soul sister, the Saba Professional 107 is constructed on the identical platform as the unique Saba. Which means it’s a bit heftier with a extra stout flex and stiffer tails in comparison with the 105mm-waisted Nia.
All three skis within the professional collab assortment function Icelantic’s Reflective Rocker. Which means every ski’s full-rocker profile—that’s proper, no camber right here—matches its sidecut radius. So, whereas the skis surf, smear, and play once they’re flat (such as you would anticipate from a ski with no camber), they let you interact the total edge once you lay them over. The purpose is a ski with all the advantages of full rocker that additionally expenses on tougher snow and feels stable underfoot in variable situations and at excessive speeds.
Groomers
In the case of full rocker profiles, the get together line typically sounds one thing like this: Lack of edge grip, not good on groomers. You received’t see Mikaela Shiffrin shirking camber to crash gates anytime quickly. However for many leisure skiers, the controversy between camber and rocker must be much less about “higher or worse” and extra about how the varied profiles simply really feel totally different on snow.
Take Icelantic’s three all-mountain freeride skis with comparable waist widths and goal markets: the Saba Professional 107, Nomad 105, and Pioneer 109. With camber, a softer flex sample, and a comparatively lengthy efficient edge, the Nomad springs out and in of carved turns. Plenty of rebound and power, most bend. The Pioneer additionally rebounds and snaps, however on a extra stout and directional platform with a extra locked-in really feel.
With no camber, the Saba Professional 107 doesn’t spring out and in of carves. Moderately, it’s extra “tip and go.” The tapered tip form easily initiates turns, and the ski does really feel extra stable on edge than most different totally rockered skis I’ve carved on. When you can clearly launch the tails simply (full rocker), they’re stiff and can maintain onto a flip higher than chances are you’ll suppose. For a never-ever racer like me, the Saba Professional 107 was a blast on groomed runs.
Don’t get too twisted: Many narrower skis with camber will nonetheless really feel extra stable railing groomers. If that kind of snowboarding is why you go to the mountains, look elsewhere, like on the new M6 Mantra from Volkl. But when groomers are extra of a option to get again to the chairlift so you may go discover some extra, the Saba Professional 107 can grasp.
Bumps and Bushes
Just like the above factors about snowboarding groomers on totally rockered skis, ripping mogul strains feels a bit totally different. I, for one, had a blast taking the Saba Professional 107 down bump runs. It virtually pivots and drifts for you, so sluffing pace or altering your line is not any massive deal. These tapered suggestions don’t really feel hooky or cumbersome. And once you do lock right into a mogul line, the ski is powerful sufficient underfoot and thru the tails to carry onto it. I used to be so impressed that I had a tough time not throwing unfold eagles on the backside.
Once more, if zipper strains are what you reside for, you doubtless already know {that a} narrower ski is the higher selection. However when you like skis on this mid-fat class for snowboarding every part on the mountain, the Saba Professional 107 brings the noise.
That intuitive, clean really feel when snowboarding fall line or drifting or smearing interprets to the timber. In actual fact, the woods could also be the place the Saba Professional 107 feels most at residence. In the sort of terrain, I seen simply how well-balanced these skis are. The light-weight and durable form evokes confidence down barkeater-style runs, whereas the stout flex and dependable edge maintain maintain you planted in less-than-ideal snow.
Powder and Combined Snow
As a totally rockered ski, the Saba Professional 107 floats and surfs powder higher than most different skis on this class. After all, it’s extra of a do-everything ski than its massive brother, the unique Saba Professional, in order that wider model might be higher as a pure powder possibility. However for all however the deepest days, the Saba Professional 107 is a good selection. It feels extra slashy, turny and unfastened than the Nomad, doubtless one other product of the full-rocker profile and tapered suggestions. For me, the perfect sub-110mm ski in powder continues to be the Black Crows Atris, which generally appears like a 120. However the Saba Professional mirrors lots of what the Atris does effectively. Zero hook, unfastened however sturdy, clean and intuitive. Mixed with a totally rockered profile, these traits make for a novel really feel.
In blended snow, like uneven or heavy pow or crust, the Saba Professional’s form, flex, and sidecut enable it to stay secure underfoot. It’s a surprisingly sturdy ski, so it will possibly bust crud higher than chances are you’ll suppose.
Draw back
If somebody doesn’t just like the Saba Professional 107, I’m betting it has extra to do with choice than efficiency. Greater than doubtless, they only don’t like totally rockered skis. Once more, it’s the excellence between “higher or worse” and “totally different.”
I’ll say, although, that the Saba Professional 107 isn’t the strongest zero-camber ski I’ve ever been on. Versus a ski constructed with metallic, just like the Black Crows Corvus, it’s extra more likely to get deflected by refrozen chop, onerous crud, sastrugi, and so on. For people who wish to, say, straightline again bowls at 2 pm, the ski might really feel a bit too unfastened. The flip aspect of that critique, in fact, is the Saba Professional 107’s gentle weight and playful maneuverability, which give it its distinctive taste. Contemplating that nobody prioritizes snowboarding crappy snow, the tradeoff is one which I’m prepared to make. I’m additionally a small man, slashing 5’7″ 160 kilos, so there’s loads of grr right here for me. However there are some line-hawking chargers on the market who will choose extra heft.
Backside Line
By March 2021, the Saba Professional 107 had already turn into one among our favourite skis of 2022. A number of staffers have been raving about its distinctive really feel, its intuitive skiability, and its versatility. At some extent on the ski tools timeline when virtually each model makes good skis and plenty of of them really feel the identical, Icelantic has succeeded in making not one however three skis that really feel really distinctive. We tip our hats to them.
The Saba Professional 107 serves up playful freeride taste in an accessible-yet-strong package deal. Plus, it’s constructed proper right here in Colorado and comes with Icelantic’s three-year-warranty. Fortunate seven, certainly.
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