Expert Comparison: Nordica Santa Ana 104 Free Skis · Women's · 2023 vs Blizzard Sheeva 10 Skis · Women's · 2023
VS
Side by side comparison | Out of stock | Out of stock |
|---|---|---|
Price | $449.99 40% off | $349.98 50% off |
The Curated Take | Best for advanced to expert female skiers seeking stability and flotation in high snow areas, like the Rockies. | Best for intermediate to expert skiers who need a versatile, stable ski for all-mountain and high-speed skiing. |
User rating | -- | 5(2) |
Ski type | All Mountain, Big Mountain | Freeride, All Mountain, Big Mountain |
Skill level | Intermediate, Advanced | Intermediate, Advanced |
Rocker profile | Rocker/Camber/Rocker | Rocker/Camber/Rocker |
In the world of women's skis, the Nordica Santa Ana 104 Free and the Blizzard Sheeva 10 are two top contenders for the 2023 season. Both skis are designed for advanced to expert skiers and offer excellent all-mountain performance. The Nordica Santa Ana 104 Free is a damp, stable ski that excels in soft snow and groomers, but requires a strong skier to drive it. On the other hand, the Blizzard Sheeva 10 is a versatile ski that offers stability, edge grip, and playfulness in all conditions. Both skis have their strengths and weaknesses, and the choice between the two will depend on your skiing style and preferences.
The Nordica Santa Ana 104 Free is a high-performance all-mountain ski designed for women. It's a great option for those who love to have fun in powder without sacrificing performance on groomers. The ski is incredibly damp and stable in all conditions, making it easy to float in soft snow and feel at home on groomers, even with its wide waist. However, it's worth noting that the Santa Ana 104 Free is rather heavy compared to other powder skis on the market. This ski requires a strong, advanced to expert skier to drive it.
The Santa Ana 104 Free is part of the flagship Santa Ana line, known for its high performance and quality. It features a wood core and metal laminate, designed to provide stability on and off-piste. This allows skiers to tackle a variety of slope conditions confidently. The ski carves smoothly, floats in powder, and is maneuverable and agile for quick turns in variable terrain.
The Santa Ana's can handle it all. With a wood core and metal laminate, these skis are designed to be stable on and off-piste for skiers to tackle a variety of slope conditions confidently. They carve smoothly, float in powder, and are maneuverable and agile for quick turns in variable terrain.
The Santa Ana's can handle it all. With a wood core and metal laminate, these skis are designed to be stable on and off-piste for skiers to tackle a variety of slope conditions confidently. They carve smoothly, float in powder, and are maneuverable and agile for quick turns in variable terrain.
Nordica Santa Ana 104 Free Skis · Women's · 2023
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The Blizzard Sheeva 10 is another top-notch all-mountain ski for women. It's designed for intermediate to expert level skiers and offers a wide range of features that make it a versatile choice for various terrains. The Sheeva 10 feels stable underfoot, providing excellent grip when digging deep into turns. It's also quick to stop when needed, making it a reliable choice for fast skiers.
The Sheeva 10 features a partial metal laminate that is widest underfoot, providing maximum stability and edge grip directly under the binding. The metal tapers off towards the tips and tails, reducing swing weight and making the ski more playful. The softness of the tips allows the ski to plane up easily in soft snow, and the healthy rocker in the tail makes this ski one of the most slashy, playful, and easily maneuverable picks in the all-mountain category.
This ski is great for someone who is at minimum between intermediate and expert level. They feel a little wide under the feet, but not intrusive, more so stable. I really like that they give back when I dig deep into turns. Especially in New England, where we get a lot of ice or patchy trails, I know that my skis are making it down with me.
This ski is great for someone who is at minimum between intermediate and expert level. They feel a little wide under the feet, but not intrusive, more so stable. I really like that they give back when I dig deep into turns. Especially in New England, where we get a lot of ice or patchy trails, I know that my skis are making it down with me.
Blizzard Sheeva 10 Skis · Women's · 2023
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- Returnable
Similarities
Both the Nordica Santa Ana 104 Free and the Blizzard Sheeva 10 are designed for advanced to expert skiers and offer excellent all-mountain performance. They both feature a partial metal laminate for stability and edge grip, and they both excel in soft snow conditions. Both skis are also designed to be maneuverable and agile, allowing for quick turns in variable terrain. They are both praised for their stability and ability to handle a variety of slope conditions confidently.
Differences and Who They're Good For
While both skis are designed for advanced to expert skiers, they cater to slightly different personas. The Nordica Santa Ana 104 Free is ideal for skiers who love to have fun in powder and on groomers. It's a great choice for those who prefer a damp, stable ski and don't mind a bit of extra weight. On the other hand, the Blizzard Sheeva 10 is perfect for skiers who value versatility and playfulness. It's a great choice for those who want a ski that can handle any terrain with ease and offers a balance of control and forgiveness.
Analysis on Who’s the Winner
When it comes to performance in soft snow, both skis excel, but the Nordica Santa Ana 104 Free might have a slight edge due to its wider waist and dampness. For maneuverability and agility, the Blizzard Sheeva 10 takes the cake with its tapered tips and tails and healthy rocker in the tail. In terms of stability and edge grip, both skis perform well, but the Sheeva 10's partial metal laminate that is widest underfoot might give it a slight advantage. Finally, for weight, the Sheeva 10 is the clear winner as the Santa Ana 104 Free is noted to be rather heavy.
Conclusions
In conclusion, both the Nordica Santa Ana 104 Free and the Blizzard Sheeva 10 are excellent choices for advanced to expert skiers looking for a high-performance all-mountain ski. The Santa Ana 104 Free offers excellent performance in soft snow and groomers, while the Sheeva 10 shines in its versatility and playfulness. The choice between the two will ultimately depend on your personal skiing style and preferences. So, whether you're a powder hound or a speed demon, rest assured that both these skis will deliver a thrilling ride down the mountain. Happy skiing!
