2022 Nordica Navigator 80 CA

As one of the narrower flat skis out there, the 2022 Nordica Navigator 80 CA blurs the line between a front-side and an all-mountain ski. It’s narrower than a lot of system carving skis, but as a flat ski, it has a lot more versatility and maneuverability. Also, it’s designed and shaped like an all-mountain ski, but in a slimmed-down version. Alongside its wood core of beech and poplar, the skis have a carbon laminate that keeps the ski energetic and responsive. With an Enforcer-like tip and a Dobermann-inspired tail shape, these skis have a playful and forgiving tip with a business-like tail end. They hold a tremendous edge due to the stiffer tail, and front side carvers will love the edge grip and torsional stiffness. At 179 cm length, the skis have a 16.5-meter turn radius, so expect to be on edge. Our testers were pretty stoked about the easy-turning nature and the quickness of these skis, as they make their way into their next winter.

Benny Wax skied the 172 and found it to be a bit short. You wouldn’t know he felt that way based on his overall impression score of 5 out of 5, though. All of his other scores were either 3’s or 4’s indicating that Benny found this to be a well-rounded and high-performance ski. “Fun and quick. Easy to turn and can handle transitional terrain. Skis a little short with the rockered tip, but you can take ski anywhere.” The Navigator 80 is certainly a fun little ski that punches above its level. For a quick-turning skier like Benny who likes skis that make a lot of clean arcs, this is a great ski for him.

Mike Aidala was cool with his 179 cm tester, and scored 4’s out of 5 for quickness, playfulness, and versatility. “Easy skiing and guaranteed fun on the entire mountain. The Navigator 80 skis are a great easy-skiing all-mountain ski. But be gentle because the skis do have a bit of a speed limit. Easy skiing is the key.” Fair enough, as at some point, the lack of overall material will make the ski less receptive to high speeds and hard-charging. For Mikey's spring-time trips to Killington where he likes to mash moguls, the Navigator 80 will be a great addition to his quiver.

As a narrow, flat ski with a fun shape and a cool build, the Nordica Navigator 80 sits right in the sweet spot for thinner, all-mountain skis. For a front side carver who likes to venture off-piste, but not too often, the Nav 80 is a fantastic choice. Moguls and trees are super-easy and fun when you can swivel around, and that helps the overall versatility of the skis go through the roof.