Expert Comparison: Völkl Kenja 88 Skis · Women's · 2024 vs Nordica Santa Ana 88 Skis · Women's · 2024
VS
Side by side comparison | Out of stock | Out of stock |
|---|---|---|
Price | from:$350.00 50% off | from:$419.99 40% off |
The Curated Take | Best for female skiers seeking a powerful frontside ski with versatility for all-mountain terrain, offering excellent edge grip and smooth carving. | Best for intermediate to advanced female skiers who enjoy fast speeds and carving on groomed trails or tracked snow. |
User rating | -- | 5(1) |
Ski type | All Mountain | All Mountain |
Skill level | Intermediate, Advanced | Advanced, Expert |
Rocker profile | Rocker/Camber/Rocker | Rocker/Camber/Rocker |
In the world of women's skis, the Völkl Kenja 88 and the Nordica Santa Ana 88 are two standout options for the 2024 season. Both skis are designed for intermediate to advanced skiers and offer a blend of performance and versatility that can handle a variety of conditions and terrains. The Völkl Kenja 88 is a playful, directional ski that excels on groomers and offers a stiffer, heavier ride due to its Titanal frame. On the other hand, the Nordica Santa Ana 88 is a versatile all-mountain ski that offers a balance of stability and agility, making it suitable for both quick carves and longer turns. While both skis have their strengths, the choice between the two will ultimately depend on your personal skiing style and preferences.
The Völkl Kenja 88 Skis are a force to be reckoned with on the slopes. This year, Völkl has made three primary changes to the Kenja skis: a tailored Titanal frame, a tailored carbon tip, and a shorter turn radius than previous models. These changes have resulted in a ski that is playful, nimble, and lighter than expected.
The Kenja 88s are designed for intermediate to advanced skiers, offering a stiffer and heavier ride than beginner options. This stiffness comes from the Titanal frame, which also makes the skis chatterproof, ensuring a smooth ride in any condition. The skis are also tailored to each size, meaning that as you go down in size, there's less metal, making the skis lighter and more manageable.
The Kenja 88s excel on groomers, offering excellent edge hold and turn initiation. They can handle tight spots and variable conditions with ease, and their dampness ensures that there's no chatter, even at high speeds. Despite their stiffness, the skis are surprisingly playful and poppy, making them fun to ride. However, they're not the best choice for powder conditions or heavy chop, as their 88mm waist width is not ideal for these conditions.
Overall, the Völkl Kenja 88 Skis are a great choice for skiers who want a ski that can rip up groomers and handle a variety of conditions. They're versatile, fun, and offer a level of performance that can help intermediate skiers progress to the next level.
These skis are really good for all over. I wouldn't say that these skis are just good for the West. I wouldn't say these skis are just good for the East. Because of that, they're just groomer bulldozers. They really are great for a skier looking for something just to rip up groomers, or you could go as slow or as fast as you want on these skis, which is why they're really cool.
These skis are really good for all over. I wouldn't say that these skis are just good for the West. I wouldn't say these skis are just good for the East. Because of that, they're just groomer bulldozers. They really are great for a skier looking for something just to rip up groomers, or you could go as slow or as fast as you want on these skis, which is why they're really cool.
Völkl Kenja 88 Skis · Women's · 2024
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The Nordica Santa Ana 88 Skis are a versatile all-mountain ski that offers a balance of stability and agility. Designed for intermediate to advanced skiers, these skis are nimble, agile, and easy to control, making them a great choice for both quick carves and longer turns.
The Santa Ana 88s have a narrow 88mm waist and a wood core with carbon and metal, providing stability, excellent edge hold, and dampening vibrations for a smooth ride. They're also easy to control and maneuver, making them a great choice for a variety of terrains and conditions.
These skis are particularly good at handling speed, offering a stable and confident ride even at higher speeds. They also have a decent amount of pop and acceleration, making them fun to ride. However, they're not the best choice for skiing switch or for jumps, as they're primarily designed for skiing forward.
In terms of freeride performance, the Santa Ana 88s are versatile and can handle a variety of conditions. They're nimble and maneuverable in the trees, and they have good edge grip for skiing on firmer snow. However, they're not the best choice for deep powder, as their narrow waist width makes them less suitable for these conditions.
Overall, the Nordica Santa Ana 88 Skis are a great choice for skiers who want a versatile ski that can handle a variety of terrains and conditions. They're stable, agile, and fun to ride, making them a great choice for any skier looking to take their skills to the next level.
I loved these skis - I didn't know if I would! I really had a lot of fun on these skis. I envisioned myself going back to back to my roots, back to the East Coast, back to a small mountain in Northern Vermont, and just ripping trees on these skis. I just felt like they were so maneuverable, so fun, and so agile. I loved the bumps, I loved the trees, and I could put them up on edge on groomers. I just really had a lot of fun on these skis.
I loved these skis - I didn't know if I would! I really had a lot of fun on these skis. I envisioned myself going back to back to my roots, back to the East Coast, back to a small mountain in Northern Vermont, and just ripping trees on these skis. I just felt like they were so maneuverable, so fun, and so agile. I loved the bumps, I loved the trees, and I could put them up on edge on groomers. I just really had a lot of fun on these skis.
Nordica Santa Ana 88 Skis · Women's · 2024
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- Returnable
Similarities
The Völkl Kenja 88 and the Nordica Santa Ana 88 share several similarities. Both skis are designed for intermediate to advanced skiers and offer a blend of performance and versatility that can handle a variety of conditions and terrains. They both have a waist width of 88mm, making them nimble and agile, and they both excel on groomers, offering excellent edge hold and turn initiation. Both skis are also designed to be stable at high speeds and offer a smooth, chatter-free ride. Additionally, both skis are not the best choice for deep powder conditions due to their narrow waist width.
Differences and Who They're Good For
While the Völkl Kenja 88 and the Nordica Santa Ana 88 share several similarities, they also have some key differences. The Kenja 88 is a playful, directional ski that offers a stiffer, heavier ride due to its Titanal frame. This makes it a great choice for skiers who want a ski that can rip up groomers and handle a variety of conditions. It's also a great choice for skiers who want a ski that can help them progress to the next level.
On the other hand, the Santa Ana 88 is a versatile all-mountain ski that offers a balance of stability and agility. It's a great choice for skiers who want a ski that can handle a variety of terrains and conditions, and it's particularly good at handling speed. The Santa Ana 88 is also a great choice for skiers who want a ski that's fun to ride and offers a decent amount of pop and acceleration.
In terms of persona, the Kenja 88 is a great choice for skiers who love to rip up groomers and want a ski that can help them progress to the next level. The Santa Ana 88, on the other hand, is a great choice for skiers who want a versatile all-mountain ski that can handle a variety of terrains and conditions.
Analysis on Who’s the Winner
When comparing the Völkl Kenja 88 and the Nordica Santa Ana 88, the winner will depend on the specific dimension being considered:
- Performance on Groomers: Both skis excel on groomers, but the Kenja 88's Titanal frame gives it a slight edge in terms of stability and edge hold.
- Versatility: The Santa Ana 88 takes the win in this category, offering a balance of stability and agility that makes it suitable for a variety of terrains and conditions.
- Speed Handling: While both skis handle speed well, the Santa Ana 88 is particularly good at handling speed, offering a stable and confident ride even at higher speeds.
- Progression: The Kenja 88 is a great choice for skiers who want a ski that can help them progress to the next level, thanks to its stiffer, heavier ride.
Conclusions
In conclusion, both the Völkl Kenja 88 and the Nordica Santa Ana 88 are excellent choices for intermediate to advanced skiers looking for a versatile ski that can handle a variety of conditions and terrains. The Kenja 88 offers a playful, directional ride that excels on groomers, while the Santa Ana 88 offers a balance of stability and agility that makes it suitable for a variety of terrains and conditions. The choice between the two will ultimately depend on your personal skiing style and preferences. Whether you're looking to rip up groomers or explore a variety of terrains, both skis offer a level of performance that can help you take your skiing to the next level.
