In the world of women's skis, the Völkl Secret 96 and the Nordica Santa Ana 98 are two top contenders for the 2024 season. Both skis are designed for advanced to expert skiers and offer a hard-charging, all-mountain experience. The Völkl Secret 96 is a badass woman's ski that excels in carving, freestyle, and freeride categories. It's a stiff, heavy ski that holds a good edge in any condition. On the other hand, the Nordica Santa Ana 98 is a hard charger that can blast through crud, hold a great edge, and carve groomers powerfully. It's a heavy ski that can handle any condition from soft snow to hard stone. Both skis are versatile and offer a balanced performance, but the Völkl Secret 96 is less playful and not recommended for terrain parks, while the Nordica Santa Ana 98 is a bit more playful and fun in trees and moguls. The final verdict? It depends on your skiing style and preference.

Völkl Secret 96 Skis · Women's · 2024 summary

The Völkl Secret 96 Skis are a hard-charging, all-mountain, free-ride ski for women. They are designed for advanced expert skiers who are looking for a ski that can keep up with them. The Secret 96 is a camber underfoot and rocker in the tip, which gives you a lot of pop and power across the hill. It's an awesome option for ripping groomers, but it can also handle the trees, bumps, and anywhere off-piste.

The Secret 96 is a pretty stiff ski, compared to some other advanced expert women's skis. It uses a Titanal frame, which gives it a little bit of extra pop and weight. This weight is put to good use, as it helps the ski hold a really good edge in any condition. The ski has a fantastic edge hold and excellent stability in turns and landing jumps.

However, the Secret 96 is not very playful. If you're looking to take it into the terrain park, this is probably not the ski for you. It's also not the best option for deep powder, but it can handle a couple of inches of powder just fine.

Nordica Santa Ana 98 Skis · Women's · 2024 summary

The Nordica Santa Ana 98 Skis are designed for advanced to expert skiers who want a ski that can blast through crud, hold a great edge, and carve groomers powerfully. They have a nice shape with a bit of playfulness in the tip and tail, which helps with turn initiation and float. This makes things like moguls and trees really fun.

The Santa Ana 98 is a heavy ski, but it's a great crowd buster that can handle any condition from soft snow to hard stone and just about any terrain. It's not the best option if you're looking for a light ski, but if you're looking for a ski that can handle any condition and terrain, the Santa Ana 98 is a great option.

The Santa Ana 98 has an all-mountain style rocker, with a smooth tip and tail and enough camber underfoot to provide balanced performance anywhere you point them. It's a responsive style ski that is easy to manipulate but will react quickly to the power you give to each ski.

Similarities

Both the Völkl Secret 96 and the Nordica Santa Ana 98 are designed for advanced to expert skiers. They are both hard-charging, all-mountain skis that offer a balanced performance. Both skis are heavy and stiff, which allows them to hold a great edge and provide excellent stability in turns. They both have a camber underfoot and a rocker in the tip, which gives them a lot of pop and power across the hill. Both skis are versatile and can handle a variety of conditions and terrains, from groomers to trees to bumps.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both skis are similar in many ways, they do have some key differences. The Völkl Secret 96 is less playful and not recommended for terrain parks, while the Nordica Santa Ana 98 is a bit more playful and fun in trees and moguls. The Secret 96 is not the best option for deep powder, but it can handle a couple of inches of powder just fine. On the other hand, the Santa Ana 98 can handle any condition from soft snow to hard stone and just about any terrain.

The Völkl Secret 96 is a great option for hard-charging females who want to go all over the mountain. It's not recommended for beginners, intermediate skiers, or those who prefer a softer, more playful ski. The Nordica Santa Ana 98 is a great option for advanced to expert skiers who want a ski that can blast through crud and carve groomers powerfully. It's not the best option if you're looking for a light ski, but it's a great crowd buster that can handle any condition and terrain.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to versatility, both skis perform well in a variety of conditions and terrains. However, the Nordica Santa Ana 98 has a slight edge due to its ability to handle any condition from soft snow to hard stone and just about any terrain.

In terms of playfulness, the Nordica Santa Ana 98 wins. While the Völkl Secret 96 is less playful and not recommended for terrain parks, the Santa Ana 98 is a bit more playful and fun in trees and moguls.

For edge hold and stability, both skis perform excellently. They are both heavy and stiff, which allows them to hold a great edge and provide excellent stability in turns. However, the Völkl Secret 96 uses a Titanal frame, which gives it a little bit of extra pop and weight, giving it a slight edge in this dimension.

Finally, for powder performance, the Nordica Santa Ana 98 comes out on top. While the Völkl Secret 96 can handle a couple of inches of powder just fine, it's not the best option for deep powder. The Santa Ana 98, on the other hand, can handle any condition from soft snow to hard stone and just about any terrain.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Völkl Secret 96 and the Nordica Santa Ana 98 are excellent choices for advanced to expert skiers. They are both hard-charging, all-mountain skis that offer a balanced performance. However, they cater to slightly different preferences. The Völkl Secret 96 is a great option for hard-charging females who want to go all over the mountain, while the Nordica Santa Ana 98 is a bit more playful and fun in trees and moguls. Ultimately, the best ski for you will depend on your skiing style and preference. So, whether you're a badass woman looking to conquer the mountain or an advanced skier looking for a ski that can blast through crud and carve groomers powerfully, there's a ski out there for you. Happy skiing!