2021 Nordica Soul Rider 97

Why change a ski as cool and awesome as the Soul Rider 97? Nordica really nailed it a few years ago, and have been more than happy to just let it ride. Different widths have been added, sure, but the Soul Rider 97 remains unchanged for the fourth straight year. Why? Because it's a rad ski and there's no two ways about it. Except for the shape, because the twin-tip makes it really easy and fun to ski all different ways around the mountain. I'm not a park skier, but I love twin tips for skiing in the woods. You can do the falling leaf or a K-turn to get out of tricky situations, as a lot of times, that's all there is here in VT-it's just one long sketchy run through the woods. But, for skiers who do value park time and switch takeoffs and landings, the Soul Rider 97 makes a lot of sense. Built the same way for 2021, the Soul Rider has a wood core with carbon stringers. High camber gives the ski a lot of pop and energy, so for skiers who value strong performance in a carved turn, the Soul Rider 97 gives them that dimension as well. Maybe it's a bit of hyperbole, but everyone loves these skis.

Harrison Gorham, for one, is "just really proud of Nordica" for making the Soul Rider 97. He skied the appropriately sized 185 and scored 5's out of 5 for stability, quickness, maneuverability, playfulness, and edge hold. Overall impression split the high marks, earning a 4.5. Harrison calls it a "great solid ski that turns whenever and wherever with confidence." Not quite what you'd expect from a "park" ski, but then again, Nordica builds some sweet skis, so in many ways, we're not terribly surprised. Evan Caha noted that the skis were on the burly side for him. He was on the 185 as well, and notes that it was a "bit heavy in the tip and tail. Good width, playful, fast, every good quality needed to engage tight stuff. If you set those tips, the ski will follow." Evan scored the ski 4's out of 5 for flotation, stability, edge hold, and versatility, showing that the Soul Rider definitely has that all-around goodness that skiers are looking for in their wider twin.

Jeff Neagle owns a pair and loves it. He's skied both the 177 (more for park) and the 185 (all-mountain use), and both are acceptable. He calls it "such a fun ski! The Soul Rider 97 has stayed the same for a pretty long time now, and I'm really glad it has. Fairly long, but not abrupt rocker paired with no early taper whatsoever actually gives it relatively unique performance these days. It's more common now to see this rocker profile paired with the same length early taper. By not doing that, Nordica gives the SR 97 really long effective edge when you have it on edge. So, despite not having any metal in its construction, this ski can rip. Especially for me in the 185 cm length, I rarely felt any lack of stability at speed. On the other hand, it's also fairly light, very energetic, and responsive. There's really good pop both out of a turn and when doing things like ollies and butters. The Soul Rider 87 is quicker as a park ski, so arguably better if you're looking to do technical tricks, but as a daily driver ski I prefer the 97 for its versatility. Carves just as well as the 87, but it floats better in soft snow and I prefer its feel in off-piste terrain, except really tight moguls where the narrower 87 is just a little quicker."

Is this the last year of the current Soul Rider 97? Will Nordica step up their game and make it better? Is it even possible? At this point, there are so many skiers out there who love the series (97 and 87) that I'd hope they let it ride for another year. At least.