Expert Comparison: Nordica Santa Ana 93 Skis · Women's · 2023 vs Blizzard Sheeva 9 Skis · Women's · 2023
VS
Side by side comparison | Out of stock | Out of stock |
|---|---|---|
Price | $419.99 40% off | $389.97 40% off |
User rating | 5(2) | -- |
The Curated Take | Best for advanced women skiers who enjoy a variety of terrains and high speeds. | -- |
Ski type | All Mountain | Freeride, All Mountain |
Skill level | Advanced, Expert | Intermediate, Advanced |
Rocker profile | Rocker/Camber/Rocker | Rocker/Camber/Rocker |
In the world of women's skis, the Nordica Santa Ana 93 and the Blizzard Sheeva 9 are two top contenders for the 2023 season. Both skis are designed for advanced skiers and offer a versatile, all-mountain experience. The Nordica Santa Ana 93 is praised for its perfect balance between stiffness and softness, making it a great choice for intermediate skiers looking to progress. The Blizzard Sheeva 9, on the other hand, is known for its playful agility and responsiveness, making it a favorite among advanced skiers. Both skis perform well in a variety of conditions, from groomers to trees, and even in light powder. However, the Santa Ana 93 is slightly more favored for its carving abilities, while the Sheeva 9 shines in its freeride performance. In the end, the choice between the two comes down to personal preference and skiing style.
The Nordica Santa Ana 93 skis are designed for advanced-level, all-mountain skiing. However, experts suggest that they are also very accessible for intermediate skiers and even athletic beginners looking to progress in the sport. The skis are lightweight and responsive, making them a popular choice for touring. They have a 93mm underfoot, which is considered the perfect zone for an all-mountain ski, catering to different skill levels and terrain types.
The Santa Ana 93 skis are praised for their carving abilities. They have a 13- to 15-meter turn radius, allowing for tight slalom turns and big GS turns. The conventional camber underfoot aids in turn initiation on groomers and packed snow. The skis also have good edge hold, with the tips becoming more responsive the more you press into the turn.
In terms of flex, the Santa Ana 93 skis are neither super stiff nor super soft. They are described as a happy medium, providing stability at speed without being overly chattery. They are also versatile enough to handle a bit of off-piste exploration, such as popping into the trees or skiing in light powder. However, they may not be the best choice for deep powder days or for absolute beginners.
I can absolutely see why this is one of the top women's skis in the world. In terms of flex, I wouldn't say these are super stiff, but I also wouldn't say these are super soft. They're like a happy medium — right in the middle.
I can absolutely see why this is one of the top women's skis in the world. In terms of flex, I wouldn't say these are super stiff, but I also wouldn't say these are super soft. They're like a happy medium — right in the middle.
Nordica Santa Ana 93 Skis · Women's · 2023
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- Returnable
The Blizzard Sheeva 9 skis are the narrowest of the Sheeva line, making them a great choice for advanced women looking for a freeride ski that's a bit more manageable. They are described as a hard-charging ski that's easy to turn, especially for longer radius turns. The skis have titanal underfoot, providing a stiff edge hold and stability at higher speeds.
The Sheeva 9 skis are versatile and perform well in a variety of terrains, including trees, groomers, and bumps. They have some tail rocker, making them easy to turn quickly, even at longer lengths. This makes them a good introduction to off-piste skiing. However, they may struggle a bit in deep powder due to their narrower width.
While the Sheeva 9 skis are more aggressive than the Black Pearl line, they are still approachable for intermediate skiers. However, they may not be the best choice for beginners or for those who regularly ski in deep powder.
Blizzard Sheeva 9 first impression was that this is a really fun ski. I skied a little bit longer than I usually do, which I think was a good choice. So, I really enjoyed it. I thought that it was a good, hard-charging ski for advanced women.
Blizzard Sheeva 9 first impression was that this is a really fun ski. I skied a little bit longer than I usually do, which I think was a good choice. So, I really enjoyed it. I thought that it was a good, hard-charging ski for advanced women.
Blizzard Sheeva 9 Skis · Women's · 2023
- We price match
- Returnable
Similarities
Both the Nordica Santa Ana 93 and the Blizzard Sheeva 9 skis are designed for advanced-level, all-mountain skiing. They are both praised for their versatility, performing well in a variety of conditions and terrains, from groomers to trees, and even in light powder. Both skis are also described as being accessible for intermediate skiers, making them a good choice for those looking to progress in the sport.
In terms of construction, both skis feature a balance between stiffness and softness, providing stability at speed without being overly chattery. They both have good edge hold and are easy to turn, although the Santa Ana 93 is slightly more favored for its carving abilities, while the Sheeva 9 shines in its freeride performance.
Differences and Who They're Good For
While both skis are designed for advanced-level, all-mountain skiing, they cater to slightly different personas. The Nordica Santa Ana 93 is a great choice for intermediate skiers looking to progress, as well as athletic beginners. It's praised for its carving abilities and is a popular choice for touring due to its lightweight and responsive nature. This ski is ideal for someone who enjoys a variety of terrains and conditions, but may not be the best choice for deep powder days or for absolute beginners.
On the other hand, the Blizzard Sheeva 9 is a hard-charging ski that's more suited to advanced women. It's a bit more manageable than other skis in the Sheeva line, making it a great choice for those looking for a freeride ski that's a bit narrower. This ski is ideal for someone who enjoys off-piste skiing and is looking for a ski that's easy to turn quickly. However, it may not be the best choice for beginners or for those who regularly ski in deep powder.
Analysis on Who’s the Winner
When comparing the Nordica Santa Ana 93 and the Blizzard Sheeva 9, the winner depends on the specific dimension being considered:
Versatility: Both skis are highly versatile, but the Nordica Santa Ana 93 slightly edges out the Blizzard Sheeva 9 due to its balance between stiffness and softness, making it a great choice for a variety of conditions and terrains.
Carving: The Nordica Santa Ana 93 is the clear winner in this dimension. Its 13- to 15-meter turn radius and conventional camber underfoot make it a superior choice for carving.
Freeride Performance: The Blizzard Sheeva 9 takes the lead in this dimension. Its playful agility and responsiveness make it a favorite among advanced skiers for freeride performance.
Accessibility for Intermediate Skiers: Both skis are accessible for intermediate skiers, but the Nordica Santa Ana 93 is slightly more favored due to its perfect balance between stiffness and softness, making it a great choice for intermediate skiers looking to progress.
Conclusions
In conclusion, both the Nordica Santa Ana 93 and the Blizzard Sheeva 9 are top contenders in the world of women's skis for the 2023 season. They both offer a versatile, all-mountain experience and are designed for advanced skiers. However, they cater to slightly different personas. The Nordica Santa Ana 93 is a great choice for intermediate skiers looking to progress, while the Blizzard Sheeva 9 is a hard-charging ski more suited to advanced women. The choice between the two ultimately comes down to personal preference and skiing style. So, whether you're carving down groomers or exploring off-piste, both these skis are sure to deliver an exhilarating ride. Happy skiing!
