Icelantic Riveter 95 - Women's Review

The GearLab test crew agreed this ski should be called “The Pivoter” instead of the Riveter, for its uncanny ability to make a flat-footed twist. We loved taking the Riveter 95 in the bumps and trees since it can pivot on a dime and seems to prefer a much tighter turn radius than its specs would implicate. The stunning mountain graphics were icing on the topsheet for this lightweight, springy ski.

Performance Comparison

Stability at Speed

For a smaller, lighter skier, the Riveter 95 might provide a moderately stable ride at speed. However, our testers, who are taller and heavier, this ski did not offer the solid platform we wanted when pushing our speed limits. The Riveter 95 did hold an edge better than we anticipated. Still, again for our larger testers, the “usable edge” (the part of the ski which grips the snow between rockered tails and rockered tips) was simply too short to feel confident.

Carving Ability

We enjoyed carving the Riveter 95 so much more than we thought we would. This ski holds an edge better than most skis with a similar softer flex, and the turn radius was much tighter than expected. Our testers found that the ski moved rapidly from edge to edge, in part due to its rebound powered by 5 millimeters of camber underfoot. The Riveter 95 truly springs from one short carved arc to the next. Our testers all agreed that it feels more like a 14-meter radius in the 169-centimeter length (as opposed to the printed 16 meters), giving it a very lively sensation. Because it is quite soft, even a small, lightweight skier should be able to bend this ski, arc a clean carve, and feel it bounce back afterward.

Powder Performance

The Riveter 95 did not impress us as much as we hoped in fresh snow. We believe this to likely be a function of the lack of length, combined with the copious rocker, creating the sensation of a shorter ski that tends to nose-dive in deeper powder. Even our smallest tester, who generally skis a powder ski in the 170cm range, felt there was not enough tip on the front of this ski to maintain consistent floatation. In half a foot or less, it performed well, staying on top and showing us the same lively, smeary personality we loved about it elsewhere. However, the tips started to dive underneath when the snow got deeper, making everything feel more laborious and less fun. Our testers believe that if they made this ski in a longer length, many women would find it to be a quality powder ski.

Crud Performance

The Riveter 95 surprised us again in this metric. Despite having a softer construction, which might often account for deflection and inability to push through chunkier terrain, the Riveter 95 handled rough terrain like a champion. One tester considered whether its softness helped dampen the bumpy ride; it felt like the ski absorbed some of the jolts rather than transferring those to your body to deal with. It doesn't plow or slice through the chop like some of our highly rated crud skis but attacks it in a completely different way. Even when conditions bounced the Riveter 95 off course, it took the redirection in stride. This ski is so quick, agile, and easy to maneuver that it doesn't take much effort to get it back on track, even when it goes astray.

Terrain Playfulness

Thanks in part to its lightweight construction, the Riveter 95 is incredibly easy to get airborne. The ski's nimbleness inspired our testers to try some spins, where the Riveter 95 felt very maneuverable, and landing switch on the twin tips felt smooth and secure. The rebound and tighter-than-stated turn radius made simple short turns on groomers feel fun. “Poppy, but not too floppy” was the appreciative expression of one tester.

Bumps

The Riveter 95's ability to pivot quickly and accurately made for some very fun mogul skiing. The ample tip rocker allowed us to turn rapidly, but the tail is still stiff enough to snap you into the transition to the next turn. We felt confident enough in its abilities that we could choose the zipper-line or the mellow surf line and enjoyed them both on this ski.

Should You Buy the Riveter 95?

The Icelantic Riveter 95 is super fun to ski, particularly if you spend all of your time in the bumps. But at the end of the day, it is, overall, an average all-mountain ski with an average price tag. The lack of available ski lengths makes it tough for us to suggest this ski over other, directly comparable models. If you stand shorter than about 5 feet, 7 inches, then this lively ski is sure to impress with its playfulness, ability to navigate moguls, and surprising flotation in powder. But for taller women or more advanced skiers, we would opt for something with a little more power.

What Other Women's All-Mountain Skis Should You Consider?

We recommend the Icelantic Riveter 95 to ladies who enjoy something a little lighter and more agile. The Riveter 95 is an excellent ski for someone looking to get a little jibby in the park after a day of big mountain skiing, and it could also function well as a lighter-weight backcountry ski. For women looking for a bit more stability, we suggest the Volkl Secret 96, or the Blizzard Black Pearl 94 if you spend most of your time carving up groomers. Although the Riveter 95 is fun in powder – for smaller women in particular – the Elan Ripstick 94 W is our top choice for deep snow. If you need a ski to chop up crud, look over at the Nordica Santa Ana 98, which is reliable and damp enough to eat up variable conditions.