We asked riders to share their impressions of the gear they've been using to the fullest this winter.
This time, we'll be looking at the gear used by Norinori Sasaki, executive advisor for ICELANTIC SKI JAPAN.
Yoshimichi Sasaki, 48,
is a professional skier from Hokkaido. His unique style and technique are respected by even current competitors, making him a legendary skier. He currently works as a judge for international competitions such as FWQ, and also produces parks. His favorite areas to ski are Niseko Grand Hirafu, Kiroro Resort, and Sapporo Teine Highland.
Instagram: @yoshimichi_sasaki
Yoshimichi Sasaki's setup
Skis ①: ICELANTICSKI SABAPRO 117 187cm (147-117-137) '22-23 model
Ski ②: ICELANTICSKI NOMAD105 176cm (140-105-130) '22-23 model
Ski ③: ICELANTICSKI PIONEER86 176cm (121-86-108) '22-23 model
Boots: GEN FACTORY ZEROWORKS 100 (not for sale) '22-23 model
Bindings: Manufacturer and model name unknown, set to release value 10
Ratings and reviews of each gear
Skiing ① Review
ICELANTICSKI SABAPRO 117
●Hardness impression on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→ ★5=hard)
Nose: ★★★★☆
Center: ★★★★☆
Tail: ★★★★☆
●Suitable scenes are rated on a 5-point scale
: Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★★★
Hard pack: ★★★☆☆
Park: ★★★☆☆
Moguls: ★★☆☆☆
Touring: ★★☆☆☆
Typical use:
Deep powder on mellow slopes in extremely cold weather
●Reviews:
Full rocker skis are often shy.
SABAPRO skis have little of the top-tail flapping and edge grip loss that are typical of full rocker skis. The reason is that the "Reflective Rocker" allows you to set rails on the snow surface at an early stage. In addition to being great for powder skiing, we also want you to be able to carve on groomed slopes. Just by setting up rails, the skis are as smooth as a roller coaster.
Ski 2 Review
ICELANTICSKI NOMAD105
●Hardness impression on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→ ★5=hard)
Nose: ★★★☆☆
Center: ★★★★☆
Tail: ★★★☆☆
●Suitable scenes are rated on a 5-point scale:
Powder: ★★★★☆
Grooming: ★★★★★
Hard pack: ★★★★★
Park: ★★★★★
Moguls: ★★★☆☆
Touring: ★★★★☆
Commonly used skis
: slopes, side country, park, moguls. These skis are perfect for everything except deep powder. This
flagship model from ICELANTICSKI is well-balanced in all conditions.
●Review
The NOMAD 105 is the flagship model, and once you ride these skis you'll understand what kind of skis ICELANTICSKI makes.
The flex feels stiff to the touch, but once you start skiing it becomes smooth and conveys information from the snow surface well. The thickness of the tip and tail may be a concern from the appearance, but when you try turning, the rails bite in quickly and you can turn smoothly.
In addition, the center camber provides firm support, so you can turn with confidence in any condition.
Ski ③ Review
ICELANTICSKI PIONEER86
●Hardness impression on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→ ★5=hard)
Nose: ★★★★☆
Center: ★★★☆☆
Tail: ★★★☆☆
●Suitable scenes are rated on a 5-point scale
: Powder: ★★★☆☆
Grooming: ★★★★★
Hard pack: ★★★★★
Park: ★★☆☆☆
Moguls: ★★★★★
Touring: ★★★☆☆
●Common usage situations:
Carving and moguls on the slopes on days when you are not in the park.
●Review:
These skis have the narrowest center of all ICELANTIC skis.
Carving on the slopes is completely different from other models with their sharpness, allowing for smooth turns from large to small. They're
also great for moguls, and perform well both in straight lines and on tight turns.
The wider center widths of the 96 and 109 skis are ideal for powder runs in the backcountry, as well as on the slopes.
Boots Review
GEN FACTORY ZEROWORKS 100
●Hardness impression on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→ ★5=hard)
Lower shell: ★★★★☆
Upper: ★★★★★
●Suitable scenes are rated on a 5-point scale
: Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★★★
Hard pack: ★★★★★
Park: ★★★★☆
Moguls: ★★★★★
Touring: ★☆☆☆☆
● Frequently used situations (season, location, conditions, etc.):
I use it in all of the above conditions. I'm a skier and don't enjoy mountain climbing, so I mostly use it at ski resorts and in the side country.
●Review:
This is a one-piece construction, with the upper and lower sections riveted together, a two-piece structure rarely seen in freestyle ski boots.
It's a sensitive ski boot that responds to small movements and weight shifts, and the toe-down footbed allows for quick control of the ski top. I
've been wearing these boots for 27 years, so I can't ski with any other boots.
Binding Review
●Impressions are rated on a 5-point scale
: Power transmission: ★★★☆☆
Reliability: ★★★☆☆
Usability: ★★★☆☆
Lightness: ★★☆☆☆
●Suitable scenes are rated on a 5-point scale
: Powder: ★★★☆☆
Grooming: ★★★☆☆
Hard pack: ★★★☆☆
Park: ★★★☆☆
Moguls: ★★★☆☆
Touring: None
in all conditions (time, place, conditions, etc.)
●Review
I use cheap BINs, so I don't care about the manufacturer.
If there are skiers who can tell the difference between BINs, they are ski gods. I can't tell the difference.