Built with backcountry adventures in mind, the 107-mm-waisted Icelantic Vanguard features an early rise tip and a flat tail, with a fair amount of camber in between. Icelantic sourced ultralight Ochroma—or balsa—for the ski’s core and multiple testers found the ski “light and playful” and “great for touring.” According to one tester, the Icelantic Vanguard transitioned smoothly “from railing hard pack to floating through fresh snow.” Not surprisingly, the graphics were also a big hit as Icelantic puts a great deal of effort into the artwork. “The beast on the top sheet looked right into my eyes!” commented one.