The 9 Best Nordica Skis
Photo by Joshua Sukoff
If you're hunting for top-notch skis that will take your mountain adventures to the next level, look no further than Nordica. This renowned brand has a stellar lineup of skis designed to cater to skiers of all levels and preferences. Nordica skis are built to deliver excitement, performance, and loads of fun, from all-mountain beasts that dominate any terrain to freeride warriors that conquer the powder. In this article, we will talk about the types of skis made by Nordica and the best Nordica skis on the market today!
Who Is Nordica?
Nordica has a long history dating back to 1939 when it was founded in Italy. Initially focusing on ski boots, the company quickly gained recognition for its quality craftsmanship and comfort. Over the years, Nordica expanded its product line to include skis and ski accessories, such as an extensive boot liner collection and ski pole options. Today, Nordica is a worldwide name in the ski industry thanks to its dedication to innovation, advanced technologies, and high-performance gear.
Types of Skis Made by Nordica
Nordica has a variety of skis in its lineup, making it easy to find the perfect ski for you, no matter your skiing style! Let’s look at the types of skis to better understand what type suits you.
All-Mountain Skis
Nordica offers a wide range of all-mountain skis that cater to skiers of varying abilities and preferences. These skis are designed to handle different terrain conditions, from groomed runs to off-piste adventures. Nordica's all-mountain skis strike a balance between stability, versatility, and maneuverability, making them suitable for exploring the entire mountain.
Freeride Skis
Nordica's freeride skis deliver exceptional performance for those seeking to venture off the beaten path and explore mainly ungroomed terrain. These skis are specifically engineered to excel in deep powder, steep slopes, and challenging backcountry conditions. They offer superior flotation, stability, and responsiveness, enabling skiers to tackle the most demanding off-piste adventures confidently.
Powder Skis
Nordica's powder skis are designed for deep powder days when skiers crave that exhilarating feeling of effortlessly floating on deep snow. These skis feature wider profiles, generous amounts of rocker, and innovative construction techniques to enhance buoyancy and maneuverability in powder conditions. Nordica's powder skis are highly sought after by powder enthusiasts seeking unforgettable experiences on the slopes.
Race Skis
Nordica has a long-standing reputation in the racing world, and its race skis embody the brand's commitment to precision and performance. These skis are meticulously crafted to meet the demands of competitive skiers, delivering exceptional power transmission, edge grip, and stability at high speeds. Whether you're a seasoned racer or an aspiring enthusiast, Nordica's race skis are designed to help you reach new performance levels on the racecourse.
Now that we’ve covered the different types of skis from Nordica let’s jump into our list of their top skis!
Top 9 Nordica Skis
1. Enforcer 100
The hands-down most popular ski from Nordica is the Enforcer 100. It offers unmatched performance in various snow conditions and terrain. Its waist width of 100 millimeters (mm) perfectly balances stability and maneuverability. With Nordica's Energy 2 titanium construction, it combines lightweight responsiveness with the strength of titanium, ensuring precise control and edge grip on any terrain. Whether you're carving groomers or shredding through powder, the Enforcer 100 will propel advanced skiers to new heights of performance. It is a bit on the stiffer end, so it will feel a bit hard to drive and maneuver for newer skiers.
2. Santa Ana 93
The women’s version of the Enforcer, the Santa Ana 93, is a versatile and responsive all-mountain ski for adventurous and hard-charging women skiers. A middle-of-the-road 93mm waist width provides quick and precise turns while maintaining stability. The Santa Ana 93 features Nordica's Balsa Core Technology, which combines lightweight balsa wood with energy-boosting carbon reinforcements for a lively and playful ride. This ski is perfect for intermediate to advanced women who enjoy exploring various terrain and conditions.
3. Unleashed 108
The Nordica Unleashed 108 is a freeride powder ski built to tackle deep powder and big mountain terrain. Its wider 108mm waist ensures maximum floatation and stability in challenging conditions. The Unleashed 108 incorporates Nordica's Carbon Chassis construction, utilizing lightweight carbon fiber layers for enhanced strength and responsiveness. This ski is designed for more advanced and expert skiers who crave off-piste adventures and the ability to charge through variable snow without getting tossed around.
4. Unleashed 98 W
The Nordica Unleashed 98 W is the narrower and women-specific version of the Unleashed 108. A freeride ski designed to empower adventurous women, it features Nordica's Women-Specific Carbon Chassis construction, delivering a responsive and tailored ski specifically to the needs and style of women skiers. The versatile 98mm waist width perfectly balances stability and agility, allowing for quick and confident turns in any terrain and good float in new snow.
5. Enforcer 88
Featuring the same powerhouse construction as its wider sibling, the Enforcer 88's narrower 88mm waist width enhances agility and responsiveness, allowing for razor-sharp turns and lightning-quick transitions. More of a carving-specific ski than an all-mountain ski, it can still handle some fresh snow though it won’t float as well as the Enforcer 100. Nordica's True Tip Technology reduces swing weight for effortless maneuverability, while the Energy 2 titanium construction ensures unrivaled stability and edge hold. From corduroy to hardpack, this ski is an excellent choice for advanced skiers who prioritize on-piste performance and want a versatile daily driver.
6. Enforcer 104 Free
The Nordica Enforcer 104 Free is a wide, powerful freeride ski built to conquer off-piste terrain. The 104mm waist width and rockered profile provide excellent floatation and maneuverability in deep snow. Compared to the classic Enforcer models, the Enforcer Free is more maneuverable and easier to drive thanks to its increased rocker in the tip and tail. It still features the same Nordica's Energy 2 titanium present in the classic Enforcer line, making it stable and light. The Enforcer 104 Free is geared more towards advanced to expert skiers seeking big powder lines.
7. Santa Ana 104 Free
The women’s version of the Enforcer Free, the Nordica Santa Ana 104 Free is a freeride ski that offers versatility and agility on and off-piste. The Santa Ana 104 Free features Nordica's True Tip Technology, reducing weight and enhancing maneuverability. It has the same extra rockered profile as the Enforcer Free and is a great choice for advanced women skiers who want a playful and dependable ski for exploring challenging terrain and varying snow conditions.
8. Wild Belle DC 84
The Nordica Wild Belle DC 84 is a women's all-mountain ski geared more towards skiing on the trail than hunting for powder stashes. An 84mm waist width offers precise edge control and quick turns on groomed runs. The Wild Belle DC 84 incorporates Nordica's Dual Wood Core construction, combining lightweight performance with enhanced durability. Whether you're an intermediate or advanced skier, this ski delivers a lively and responsive ride, empowering you to tackle any terrain confidently and in style. For skiers just looking to graduate from their beginner skis to an intro-friendly all-mountain ski, the Wild Belle DC would be a great option for slow ease into more off-trail skiing without the large learning curve that comes from a stiffer and wider all-mountain ski. (Bonus: It comes as a set with bindings.)
9. Navigator 75 CA
A frontside, groomer-specific ski, the Navigator 75 CA is popular for skiers who want to stick to the trails. The 75mm waist width offers effortless turns and nimble performance on groomed runs. The Navigator 75 CA features Nordica's Energy CA construction, combining a lightweight core with carbon reinforcements for stability and reliable edge grip. Whether you're a beginner refining your skills or an intermediate skier seeking an enjoyable and forgiving ride, the Navigator 75 CA is the perfect companion for fun on the slopes. It’s particularly popular with East Coast skiers and is sold as a set with bindings.
Finding the Best Nordica Skis for You
In conclusion, Nordica's lineup of skis offers exceptional performance and versatility for skiers of all levels. With a focus on power, stability, and innovation, Nordica delivers skis that excel in various conditions. Whether you're an advanced skier seeking adrenaline-fueled adventures, a woman skier looking for tailored performance, or a beginner wanting an enjoyable experience on groomed runs, Nordica has a ski to suit your needs. Their incorporation of cutting-edge technologies ensures responsive and reliable performance on the mountain.
Hopefully, this guide clarified which Nordica ski would be the best match for you, but if not, feel free to reach out to me or one of my fellow Skiing Experts here on Curated, and we can match you to the perfect pair of Nordica skis for you!