Review: Nordica Unleashed 108 Tree Skis · 2024
By Ski Expert
Sara Beeken
The Curated Take
4.6/5
The Nordica Unleashed 108 Tree Skis are ideal for advanced skiers seeking versatility. They balance speed stability and playfulness, excelling in deep snow and tight spaces. While not pure carving skis, their titanal and carbon construction ensures stability at high speeds. Durable and versatile, they handle groomers, powder, and terrain parks. Though priced higher than many others in its category, the performance justifies the cost, making them a top option for those wanting a one-ski quiver for diverse mountain conditions.
Ideal for
- Maintains stability at speed
- Playful personality
- Ideal for advanced-level skiers seeking versatility
Not ideal for
- Higher swing weight than other twin tips
- High price point
Flotation
The tip rocker in these skis makes it a great tool for several inches of fresh snow. In addition to gliding on the top, it is also easy to pivot...Read more
High Speed Stability
One of the reasons I love this ski is because of its stability at speed. I haven't experienced chatter in 95% of the situations I put it in, which is...Read more
Playfulness
The Unleashed 108 Tree is playful because it is a twin tip with a more centered mount point. It's less soft and buttery than the K2 Reckoner series because the...Read more
Turn Ease
This ski has metal, so it's recommended for more advanced skiers. But in terms of skis with metal in them, they turn on a dime. They have a freeride, pivoty...Read more
Versatility
If one lives in a snowy place and spends a lot of time off-trail but likes to hit the groomers every now and then, this is a great fit. I...Read more
Expert Reviews of the Nordica Unleashed 108 Tree Skis
Sara Beeken Unlike many other twin tips, the Unleashed still maintains a lot of stiffness, dampness, and stability at speed. The Unleashed 108 is an ideal balance between playfulness and stability. I recommend this ski to an advanced-level skier with a freestyle flair looking for a powder ski (if they live on the East Coast) or a one-ski quiver (if they live in a snowier region).
I demoed the Unleashed 98 the previous season. The Unleashed 108 has more rocker than the 98, which means that despite its wider profile, it is still very nimble in tight spaces like trees. It also does a better job of floating in soft snow. I noticed little difference between the 98 and the 108 regarding stability at speed. They both hold up just enough for a typical hard-charging skier to be happy on a groomer.
Product Specs
| Age Group | Adult |
| Gender | Men's |
| Includes bindings | No |
| Model year | 2024 |
| Waist width (mm) | 108 |
Review Ratings
Flotation
5/5
Sara Beeken gave 5 of 5 stars. The tip rocker in these skis makes it a great tool for several inches of fresh snow. In addition to gliding on the top, it is also easy to pivot and turn in deep snow without getting caught up in the snow.
High Speed Stability
4/5
Sara Beeken gave 4 of 5 stars. One of the reasons I love this ski is because of its stability at speed. I haven't experienced chatter in 95% of the situations I put it in, which is rare for a twin-tip freeride ski. It isn't quite the stiffest freeride twin tip I've been on, but it's within the top three.
Playfulness
4/5
Sara Beeken gave 4 of 5 stars. The Unleashed 108 Tree is playful because it is a twin tip with a more centered mount point. It's less soft and buttery than the K2 Reckoner series because the titanal laminate gives it an extra boost for hard-charging runs. But compared to the Nordica Santa Ana 98 or even the 104 Free, it has a more playful personality. It likes to be skied backward, hit jumps, and stomp big landings.
Turn Ease
5/5
Sara Beeken gave 5 of 5 stars. This ski has metal, so it's recommended for more advanced skiers. But in terms of skis with metal in them, they turn on a dime. They have a freeride, pivoty style to their turns, which is great for a skilled skier who keeps their weight forward but wants a more playful ski. The Unleashed 108 Tree's early rise in the tips helps with turn initiation, and the tail rocker keeps one from feeling too locked into their turns and makes it easy to whip those tails around in tight spaces.
Versatility
5/5
Sara Beeken gave 5 of 5 stars. If one lives in a snowy place and spends a lot of time off-trail but likes to hit the groomers every now and then, this is a great fit. I enjoy it in the trees, in the powder, on natural features and jumps, moguls, and even on the groomers. It feels like there is nowhere I can't take it.
FAQs
What is the value for the money versus other options?
Sara Beeken With materials like carbon and titanal in the core, the Nordica Unleashed Tree is on the higher end of the price spectrum. Unlike many skis in the freeride twin tip category, the titanal validates the increased cost compared to the Armada ARW UL or the Faction Mana 2X. The titanal layer gives the Unleashed 108 Tree more dampness and stability at speed.
What do you love about this product?
Sara Beeken As a former racer, my favorite thing about the Nordica Unleashed 108 Tree is how well it holds up at speed. It can be a deal breaker for me when choosing a ski. But I also primarily ski off-piste and have developed more of a freeride style in the last few years, so this ski was the best of both worlds. A metal freeride twin tip with shorter lengths appropriate for women is almost unheard of. The only comparable ski I've ridden has been the Faction Mana 3X, which is even wider at 112mm underfoot. The Unleashed 108 Tree is a more accessible option for someone looking for a little bit more ease of use and who doesn't want to buy a full quiver of skis.
What was your favorite moment with this gear?
Sara Beeken My favorite day with this gear was at Brighton in Utah. I was there for an industry demo; it was my first time on the Unleashed 108 Tree. I had hoped for a wider version of last season's Unleashed 98 that came in shorter sizes and Nordica delivered. That day, I made some turns with a friend I don't usually get to see, and she showed me some of the best tree runs at Brighton after about a 10" storm. The Unleashed 108 Trees were the ideal tool for the day, and although I had a lot of skis I wanted to try, I had a hard time getting off the Unleashed 108 Trees because I was having such a blast.
Why did you choose this product?
Sara Beeken I chose to demo this ski because I had a great time demoing the Unleashed 98 the previous season. Being in the market for a powder ski, I was so excited to give this one a shot because it checks all my boxes. It's a twin tip, wide and stiff enough to hold up at speed. It delivers on all of those fronts.
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