2021 Stockli Nela 88

For the pinnacle of light weight, all-mountain versatility, stop here and buy the 2021 Stockli Nela 88. We love the 88's for their true blend of front side carving performance and all-mountain perfection. They're wide enough to allow for soft snow ability, but narrow enough to hold a strong edge on firm snow. Especially for us eastern skiers, we don't need much more than 88 underfoot on a lot of days, so it just makes a lot of sense. What makes even more sense is the ski's ability to make any type of turn at any speed-that's a hallmark of the Nela skis, which are modeled after the men's Stormrider skis from Stockli. The Swiss-made precision is easy to see with the Nela 88, and it all starts with the gorgeous top sheet, which is actually a functional metal laminate. This is exclusive to Stockli and it really makes the ski set itself apart from other 88's out there in the world. With a shorter turn radius, the skis are able to generate quick turns and graceful carves. The shape is perfect for all-mountain skiing, and in the Nela line, the mid-width 88 has appropriate taper and rocker for its application. If you're looking for the best possible ski construction and the most precise and stable feel in a light weight ski, look no further than the 2021 Stockli Nela 88.

At 88 mm underfoot, we're getting some well-rounded performance. The wider shovel is somewhat tapered but minimally rockered, creating a smooth entry into the turn and a long tip to tail effective edge. The longer the edge stays in contact with the snow, the smoother the ride. For the tail, it's relatively flat, allowing the skier to access the full sidecut of the ski. Additionally, the flex is on the softer side, and for skiers who are looking to make a variety of turn shapes and styles, this allows you to access all of the radius at any speed. The fact that the Nela 88 has both high and low-speed compliance opens it up to a variety of skier types, and shows the sophistication of Stockli as far as ski construction is concerned. Stiffer and bulkier skis have to be brought up to speed in order to get all of the arc at their disposal, and this just doesn't realistically happen all the time.

The Titec topsheet combines with the light balsa wood core quite well. With a thin fiberglass laminate to go along with the wood core, the build is all about keeping things light and precise. As the first part to get the energy of your boot, it makes sense to have the topsheet as a functional laminate. Since it's titanal, it does a fantastic job at harnessing your input and transmitting it directly to the edge. It's all about energy transfer and reducing the friction of distance from when you move your foot to the ski's response. In our experience, the Titec topsheet that utilizes this energy transfer system is the cleanest and best out there.

Sure, they're expensive, but they're also really sweet. Light, precise, and incredibly smooth, there's nothing else like them on the planet. They've done a fantastic job with the graphics as well, these things are gorgeous-bordering on works of art. While we would rather ski on them versus hanging them on our wall, they certainly have the appropriate aesthetic for the price.