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SkiTalk Test Team

Testing skis so you don't have to.
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nordica.jpg

ENFORCER_93.png
Nordica Enforcer 93
Dimensions: 126-93-114
Radius: 16.5@177
Sizes: 169, 177, 185, 191
Size tested: 177
Design: Carryover

UGASkiDawg: The Enforcer 93 is another great all-mountain ski that can serve as the elusive one-ski quiver. I love the way this thing just eats up anything you throw at. Get it up on edge on groomers and it skis just fine. It doesn't have the best hold on true hard pack, but it's way more fun once you get in the bumps or crud. The tail is strong enough to give you something to push on when skiing groomers but doesn’t punish you in the chopped. It is easy to get in and out of turns off piste with enough backbone throughout the ski to make high speed in the crud feel comfortable.
  • Who is it for? The skier looking for a modern-shaped off-piste-oriented mid-fat that rewards great technique and powerful skiers but doesn’t punish the occasional lapse in attention or lack of technique.
  • Who is it not for? Probably not a great everyday ski for the lower intermediate.
  • Insider tip: This is a better ski than the 100 for most inbounds conditions in Colorado.
18 ENF 100 TC.png
Nordica Enforcer 100
Dimensions: 133-100-121
Radius: 18.5m@185cm
Sizes: 169, 177, 185, 193
Sizes tested: 177, 185
Design: NGT

Philpug: (from last year) There's not much I can say about the Enforcer that hasn't been said here, LTT: Enforcer 100. These are the reference for anyone looking for versatility in this segment.
  • Who it is for? East Coasters, the 93; Westerners, the 100.
  • Who is it not for? People looking for a deal; these will be selling at near MAP for a while.
  • Insider tip: Get next year's ski now, the Enforcer is the king of early releases. To paraphrase Yogi Berra, "No one is buying Enforcers, they are always sold out".
18 ENF 110 TC.png
Nordica Enforcer 110
Dimensions: 140-110-129
Radius: 18.5m@185cm
Sizes: 169, 177, 185, 191
Size tested: 185
Design: All New

Philpug: The Patron set the standard for playful skis in this range at 113 underfoot, but it had some limitations due to the rise at its extremities. Nordica tried to fix that by producing the black-like-my-soul Helldorado, but that was a big heavy powder ski that sounded like a good idea at the time but never really worked. Then along came the new Enforcer. Nordica took what was not working with the Patron and fixed it, by simply lowering the tail and extending the contact points or wheelbase. They started with the 100mm Enforcer, released a 93mm version to create even more momentum, and have now added a 110 and the big-boy 115 Pro, which is made only in a 191. While the new 110 gave up a bit of the Patron's playfulness, it added versatility in the conditions where the Patron could get pushed around.
  • Who is it for? Skiers who wanted a more powerful Patron.
  • Who is it not for? For the biggest of chargers, no worries: Nordica is offering the Enforcer 115 Pro.
  • Insider tip: This is the Patron 2.0 you have been waiting for.
GT_84_TI.png
Nordica GT 84 Ti EVO
Dimensions: 134-84-114
Radius: 15.5m@174cm
Sizes: 162, 168, 174, 180
Size tested: 174
Design: Carryover

Philpug: While this ski came out last season, it didn’t get much play, which is a shame: it is a very good ski that was overshadowed by the new Enforcer 93. This year, we won't let that happen again (even with the introduction of the Navigator 85). When a manufacturer does not shortcut on a binding selection for its hard-snow skis, it gets my attention -- and my respect, because I see that it is looking to maximize the ski's performance. Nordica put on the X-Cell 12 rather than one of Marker’s fine but lower-level offerings, allowing the GT perform to its capacity.

The power of doing this is evident as soon as the ski is put onto edge and loaded up. What separates the GT from the other offerings is how that energy is released: smoothly. The GT is that guy at the black tie affair that drinks perfect martinis and tells funny off-color jokes that everyone laughs at.
  • Who is it for? The technician.
  • Who is it not for? Lazy skiers who expect the ski to do all the work.
  • Insider tip: If you want a bit more quickness, look to the GT 80 Ti EVO.
18 NAV85 S&D.png
Nordica Navigator 85
Dimensions: 124-85-109
Radius: 16.5m@179cm
Sizes: 165, 172, 179, 186
Size tested: 179
Design: All New

Philpug: For the past three years, Nordica has released a ski early under its “Proto Project,” which gets out a key model to influencers in order to create some buzz. It continued the program this year with the all-new Navigator 85. We have added the Navigator to our test fleet; it started out in Tahoe and now will spend some time with our Colorado testers, who will be adding their comments to the Long-Term Review thread.

Now, what is a Navigator? Well, Nordica took previous design elements that have worked well -- the NRGy series' bridge construction, the Enforcer's forebody, and the Dobermann's tail -- to create a really nice all-mountain-biased frontside collection.
  • Who is it for? Those who like to take it easy and not be told how to ski by the ski.
  • Who is it not for? These are deceptively easy, so you need to get on them (but you don’t have to).
  • Insider tip: Nordica went aggressive with the price points here, at $50 to $100 less than the competition.

UGASkiDawg: The Navigator 85 is an improvement on the old NRGy, but still not as good as the Enforcer anywhere except on piste; even there, I didn’t find it to be a lot better than the Enforcer 93. It is very user friendly, content to let you just ride it without thinking too much, but I find the same to be true of the Enforcer 93, so once again, why?
  • Who is it for? Someone who wants a slightly less demanding and more piste-oriented version of the Enforcer 93.
  • Who is it not for? If you are looking for a hard-charging machine, this ain't it.
  • Insider tip: Ski it back to back with the Enforcer 93 and then make your choice.
NAVIGATOR_90.png
Nordica Navigator 90
Dimensions: 130-90-115
Radius: 16.5m@179cm
Sizes: 165, 172, 179, 186
Size tested: 186
Design: All New

Drahtguy Kevin: The Navigator 90 replaces the NRGy 90, and it is a huge improvement. The ski seems to appreciate an aggressive approach, as it provides ample rewards for doing so. I found it to engage the turn quickly and hold it until I wanted to let the ski release. Many skiers will find this an all-mountain friend willing to go anywhere and ski anything.
  • Who is it for? Versatility seekers.
  • Who is it not for? Pure carvers.
  • Insider tip: Dares riders to test their limits.

Women's

18 ASTRAL 78 S&D.png
Nordica Astral 78
Dimensions: 115-79-100
Radius: 15m@165cm
Sizes: 144, 151, 158, 165
Size tested: 165
Design: All New

Tricia: The Astral is Nordica’s all-mountain lineup for women in the coming season, with the Astral 78 perfectly placed for the intermediate woman who is looking for a confidence builder. I was able to ski this in a variety of conditions from manky snow to firm groomers and through some small moguls; what surprised me is how it did all of this with ease and didn’t make me feel like I was on an intermediate ski.
  • Who is it for? Intermediate to advanced skier looking for versatility.
  • Who is it not for? Boring Betty.
  • Insider tip: This ski runs true to size.
18 ASTRAL 84 S&D.png
Nordica Astral 84
Dimensions: 120-84-105
Radius: 14m@158cm
Sizes: 144, 151, 158, 165, 172
Size tested: 165
Design: All New

AmyPJ: The Astral 84 was a very, very fun ski: stable, turny, light, and playful, and also easy to get into and hold a turn. The tip shape favors softer snow, yet it did very well on the firmer spots and death cookies. A close second to the Black Pearl 88, the Dynastar would be a wonderful Utah daily driver.
  • Who is it for? A lighter-weight gal who likes a forgiving, playful ski for primarily softer snow conditions.
  • Who is it not for? Someone who likes a little more heft to their skis.
SANTA_ANA_93.png
Nordica Santa Ana 93
Dimensions: 124-93-112
Radius: 15.5m@169cm
Sizes: 153, 161, 169, 177
Size tested: 169
Design: New Construction

AmyPJ: I demoed the 2017 version of this ski a couple weeks ago. That version was zippy and fun, but very light and lacked some stability; still, I liked it quite a lot. This new version is a whole different animal. They beefed up the ski, perhaps too much for my tastes. It felt a bit noncompliant in the powder and didn’t want to smear like I prefer a ski to do when I am hesitant/cautious/can’t see. I skied this ski on both days, and on Day 2, it felt a bit like a tank to this lightweight non-charger. It was a lot of work to maneuver and I think would wear me out in a hurry if I skied several runs on it.
  • Who is it for? A charging gal who wants an all-mountain ski a bit wider than 88mm.
  • Who is it not for? A lightweight cruiser.
SkiNurse: Super light, the Santa Ana still feels very solid underfoot. It performed well in the variable and occasionally junky test conditions, turning quickly on the groomer and slicing through the crud. The issue I had was the length. The Nordica reps stated that this skis short, but even a short 169 is still too long for me. Once I took it to my normal terrain (steep with irregular bumps, some trees), it was difficult to initiate turns effectively. The 93 is new for next season, but the 100 was not. I have to admit to being a bit disappointed that Nordica did not bring a shorter ski.
  • Who is it for? The female skier who wants an all-mountain ski that is light and solid underfoot and can slice and dice its way through anything on the mountain.
  • Who is it not for? The skier who sticks to groomers -- although these still are not a bad choice.
  • Insider tip: Demoing to find the right size is a good idea.
19 SA100 TC.png
Nordica Santa Ana 100
Dimensions: 131-100-119
Radius: 15.5m@169cm
Sizes: 153, 161, 169, 177
Size tested: 169
Design: New Construction

Tricia: After hearing that Nordica added metal and changed the wood, I was eager to get on the Santa Ana and see what it's all about. Well, it's clearly about stability and confidence. Where I really enjoyed the old construction, this rendition makes a great ski even better. The metal, to me, didn’t feel like it made the ski stiffer. The flex pattern is nice and smooth throughout the ski, but the new construction has given it a little more torsional rigidity in order to cut through chop a little better.
  • Who is it for? Someone looking for a narrower powder or crud ski.
  • Who is it not for? Skiers focused on groomers and tight turns.
  • Insider tip: Don’t overthink it.
18 SENTRA SL7 TC.png
Nordica Sentra SL 7 Ti Evo
Dimensions: 121-70-106
Radius: 12m@160cm
Sizes: 156, 160, 165, 170
Size tested: 160
Design: All New

Tricia: Nordica is taking women seriously: at 70 mm underfoot, and with Energy 2 titanium, the Sentra SL 7 is a serious ski for the serious female skier. It held an edge and brought a smile to my face even though it was late in the day and there was some crud to deal with. The strength of this ski blew through the cut-up crud so easily, I can only imagine how amazing it will be on fresh corduroy.
  • Who is it for? Strong female skiers.
  • Who is it not for? The faint of heart or light of weight.
  • Insider tip: If you’re looking for a GS feel, go a little longer.
 

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Tom K.

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Stoked to see the initial good report on the Enforcer 110.

Even more interested in seeing some reviews on the Enforcer Pro.
 

Lorenzzo

Be The Snow
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So I'm at a certain place where a certain magazine is testing next year's skis. Don't worry, you can read about it in like 6 months.

Anyways, the 2018 Enforcer 100 is sporting really attractive color and graphics whereas my 2017 version is reminiscent of Biowaste. Next to the new ones mine are going to look like they're going through puberty.
 
Last edited:

Daves not here

Getting off the lift
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I have the Patron - love it. But interested in the feedback on the 110. Love the playfulness of the Patron though!
 

Alexzn

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Bay Area and Truckee
Very intrigued by the Enforcer 110, could be the Katana-like resort-powder ski a lot of people are clamoring for....

Edit- Nope, looks more like Nordica's version of a Cochise.
 

laine

I ski like a girl. Fast.
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@Tricia - I did something stupid and demoed some skis yesterday. I don't need skis - I'm on 2016 Blizzard Sambas that I got at the end of last season, so they only have about 20 days on them. But I was with my husband at Squaw and he was demoing (since he actually needs new skis), and since we were going into the demo center, I figured why not. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

I first tried the Atomic Vantage 90 - did a couple runs, and it did nothing for me. Then I grabbed a pair of Santa Ana 100s, size 161. Wow. I loved them. More than my Sambas. And I stayed on them for the rest of the day. Skied a little crust, some slush/slop, some bumps - and they were super fun. But I don't need new skis...at all. So I figured I'd wait a year or two and maybe pick up a pair. But now I'm reconsidering!!!

I see they added sheets of metal to the Santa Ana for 2018. And I generally prefer wood skis. For example, I'm not a fan of the Aura (a traditional fan favorite - but felt too stiff for me), and now I'm worried that the new Santa Ana will not be as fun.

Can you give me a little more sense of what it was like to ski?
 

Tricia

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Hmmmmm, I only had a chance to ski a couple runs on the new Santa Ana. I hope to get out on them a bit more in the near future.
What I felt was that the Santa Ana didn't "feel" like it had metal, in the way some other skis feel like it, but it was a little more stable, and confidence inspiring.
The metal seems to have made it damper, without feeling like its stiffer.
 

laine

I ski like a girl. Fast.
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Hmmmmm, I only had a chance to ski a couple runs on the new Santa Ana. I hope to get out on them a bit more in the near future.
What I felt was that the Santa Ana didn't "feel" like it had metal, in the way some other skis feel like it, but it was a little more stable, and confidence inspiring.
The metal seems to have made it damper, without feeling like its stiffer.

Thanks. Did you feel it lost any of the pop/nimbleness of the 2017 model?

(Frankly, I should stop asking questions and just drop it. I have no reason to buy skis.)
 

Tricia

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Thanks. Did you feel it lost any of the pop/nimbleness of the 2017 model?
Hmmmm, maybe a tiny bit. Mostly it felt like I "could" drive it a bit more but I didn't have to.
 

Tricia

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Hi. Any impressions of the astral 88?
I didn't get on the 88, but if it performs like the 78, it likely skis really well. I'll see if the local rep can get a pair for me to try.
 

pcjer

Booting up
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I didn't get on the 88, but if it performs like the 78, it likely skis really well. I'll see if the local rep can get a pair for me to try.

Cool thanks. Both the Blizzard Black Pearl 88 and the Astral series have passed the "looks cool" test so my wife is trying to pick one. Impressions of both sound like they'd work for her. May wait until next season when we can find some demos mounted up. If you do get on the Astral 88 very curious of your impression against the 84. For her an 88 waisted ski seems to be the sweet spot in our Utah snow for the all rounder.
 

locknload

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So I'm at a certain place where a certain magazine is testing next year's skis. Don't worry, you can read about it in like 6 months.

Anyways, the 2018 Enforcer 100 is sporting really attractive color and graphics whereas my 2017 version is reminiscent of Biowaste. Next to the new ones mine are going to look like they're going through puberty.
So true! 17 graphics are awful.....I'm stuck with them for now I guess.
 

Ken_R

Living the Dream
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Denver, CO
I have the Patron - love it. But interested in the feedback on the 110. Love the playfulness of the Patron though!

The Patron was one of the best skis I ever demoed. Perfect western resort ski IMHO. Loved it. So much fun.
 

toddmanley

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I love my Enforcer 100's - but was hoping that the Pro's would come in something longer like 196/198cm.
 

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