2027 Nordica Santa Ana 97

The 2027 Nordica Santa Ana 97 is a carryover ski for this year with the same shape, construction, and graphics as last year. A favorite for many, the Santa Ana series has continued to grow its fan base thanks to its sophisticated build and strong-willed demeanor, and despite slight alterations over the previous generation, we get a similar footprint with noticeable improvements. As the second widest option in the lineup, the Santa Ana 97 offers solid performance underfoot and ample flotation for deeper snow. This ski has a unique blend of attributes that makes it a skier favorite. Solid, smooth, and ready to rip the Nordica Santa Ana 97 is a high-test ski of the utmost quality.

We get a very sophisticated construction in this ski. The core uses stringers of poplar and beech. A rubberized polymer material that is placed directly underfoot, the level of damping and shock absorption provides an exceptionally smooth ride. Creating an overall balanced and composed feel, this component contributes to the new feel in a significant way. We see Nordica’s Terrain Specific Metal return, doing a lot of the heavy lifting as far as power and stability. With full-length metal from tip to tail and full-width metal throughout except for the mid-body and mid-tail, you get strength where you need it and flex in the torsional stiffness in the areas that you want more suppleness. Tester Holly Anderson notes that “My first impression was that this ski was easy to trust right away and didn't require a lot of adjustment, regardless of the conditions of the snow. It feels smooth through the turn and consistent across different conditions. I also like the look of it. I own this ski and grab it most days when heading out. Unlike your recent situationship, this ski is reliable and stable. It never leaves me second guessing, unlike most of my Hinge dates.”

Skis in the mid-90's have a lot of versatility inherently built in. Balancing the powerful build, the shape brings versatility and liveliness into the picture. With gratuitous tail rocker and a more forward mount point, the turning capabilities have enhanced majorly, giving the ski an energetic and responsive nature. The 161 cm length generates a 16.5-meter turn radius, giving it the ability to make sharp, round turns. When you factor in the tail shape, it allows the skier to adjust the turn shape and style, releasing easily and energetically. This is where you really see the difference between last generation’s model, with a more serious, business-like feel before. As one of the wider options at 97 mm underfoot, this allows for a greater degree of playfulness for soft snow conditions while maintaining plenty of grip and stability underfoot for on-piste finesse. Tester Camille Nichols states that “This ski is a stable stiff east coast condition ski it rips on groomers and firm conditions. This is a high performing women’s ski that caters to freeride and advanced women.”