In the world of women's skis, the Nordica Santa Ana 88 and the Atomic Maven 86 C are two top contenders for the 2023 season. Both skis are designed for advanced to expert female skiers, offering a blend of power, stability, and versatility. The Nordica Santa Ana 88 is a speed demon, rewarding the bold with extreme stability and edge hold, while the Atomic Maven 86 C is a nimble and versatile tool, perfect for those looking to up their game off-piste. However, the Santa Ana 88 may overpower an intermediate skier, and the Maven 86 C may not be ideal for high speeds or hard-charging skiers. In the end, the choice between these two skis will come down to personal preference and skiing style.

Nordica Santa Ana 88 Skis · Women's · 2023 summary

The Nordica Santa Ana 88 is a phenomenal match for the advanced to expert female skier who loves to push the speed limit with every turn. These skis are FAST and reward the bold with extreme stability and edge hold. They are 88mm underfoot, allowing them to excel on fresh groomers and even on ice. However, at this waist width, they are weaker performing in off-piste conditions. The Santa Ana 88 is a fantastic option for the advanced to expert woman who lives on the East Coast/Midwest or stays on the frontside in the Rockies. The biggest downside to these skis is they will easily overpower an intermediate. They are built with a wood core, carbon, and a sheet of terrain-specific metal, which dampens any vibrations while enhancing edge hold for a smooth and balanced ride.

Atomic Maven 86 C Skis · Women's · 2023 summary

The Atomic Maven 86 C skis are nimble and versatile front-side tools aimed at improving all mountain performance. Whether you ski the steep bumps, tight trees, or fresh powder, these skis will be your best friend. Atomic built the Maven for intermediate female skiers looking to up their game off-piste, but also for more advanced skiers looking for a strong and confident ski for cruising the groomed blues and blacks of their local mountain. The Maven utilizes carbon in the construction as opposed to metal in order to keep the ski not just lighter, but more approachable and easier to turn. This makes it a delight in both trees and while navigating moguls, and the healthy camber underfoot results in a surprisingly strong edge hold for tight turns on groomed runs.

Similarities

Both the Nordica Santa Ana 88 and the Atomic Maven 86 C are designed for advanced to expert female skiers. They both offer a blend of power, stability, and versatility, making them ideal for a variety of conditions. Both skis are designed to excel on groomed runs, with strong edge hold and the ability to carve a mean arc. They also both offer some off-piste performance, with the ability to handle bumps, trees, and fresh powder. Both skis are also praised for their stability at high speeds and their ability to respond quickly and precisely to the skier's movements.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both skis are designed for advanced to expert female skiers, they cater to slightly different personas. The Nordica Santa Ana 88 is ideal for the speed-loving skier who loves to push the limits with every turn. This ski rewards the bold with extreme stability and edge hold, making it a fantastic option for those who live on the East Coast/Midwest or stay on the frontside in the Rockies. However, it may overpower an intermediate skier.

On the other hand, the Atomic Maven 86 C is a more versatile tool, perfect for those looking to up their game off-piste. It's lighter and more approachable, making it a delight in both trees and while navigating moguls. However, it may not be ideal for high speeds or hard-charging skiers.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to speed and power, the Nordica Santa Ana 88 takes the crown. Its ability to match the power of the skier and respond in the blink of an eye makes it a dream for speed-loving skiers.

In terms of versatility, the Atomic Maven 86 C comes out on top. Its light and approachable design make it a delight in a variety of conditions, from trees and moguls to groomed runs.

For stability, it's a tie. Both skis offer extreme stability and edge hold, making them reliable choices for advanced to expert skiers.

Finally, for approachability, the Atomic Maven 86 C wins. Its use of carbon in the construction makes it not just lighter, but more approachable and easier to turn, making it a great choice for intermediate skiers looking to up their game.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Nordica Santa Ana 88 and the Atomic Maven 86 C are top contenders in the world of women's skis for the 2023 season. They both offer a blend of power, stability, and versatility, making them ideal for a variety of conditions. However, the choice between these two skis will ultimately come down to personal preference and skiing style. If you're a speed-loving skier who loves to push the limits, the Nordica Santa Ana 88 may be the ski for you. On the other hand, if you're looking to up your game off-piste and prefer a lighter, more approachable ski, the Atomic Maven 86 C could be your perfect match. Happy skiing!