The 2024 Nordica Enforcer 88 is a tried-and-true example of a pure and powerful all-mountain ski done right. This ski gets a graphics refresh for this year, but returns structurally the same, allowing skiers who want more of a freeride footprint in a narrower body the ability to rip carved turns on groomers as well as float through the fresh and tear through the trees. As the narrowest of the Enforcer line, the 88 is the most front side oriented, but keeps a lot of the characteristics that makes the wider versions of the ski incredibly versatile and maneuverable in softer snow. Since its inception, we’ve been mainly impressed with the stability and stoutness of the ski—focusing on tenacious edge grip, strong rebound, and a canny ability to make very clean and confident turns on ice. For how good it is on the firm stuff, it’s even more impressive how it charges through the chunder, chalk, and chopped up snow. While pure powder is a bit off of this ski’s chart, it’s still got enough rocker and taper to at least keep the shovel out of the snow, making for an excellent one-ski quiver for advanced and expert skiers.

Built with a performance wood core, the skis are pretty dense to start. They add two sheets of metal to the top and bottom, and two layers of carbon-infused fiberglass. These laminates balance each other out, with the carbon adding pop and energy to the mix while the titanal keeps the vibrations to an absolute minimum. As a result, skiers get an excellent blend of attributes that make this a very responsive and stable ski at a variety of speeds, but especially the higher ones. Since we’re dealing with a pretty sturdy build, we get the according weight, with the 179 hitting the scale at 2090 grams. The 186 weighs in at2210 grams, so this is no feather. That said, weight does equal stability and power, so if you’re looking for a ski on the strong side of the spectrum, this is a great place to be.

When we get to shape and profile, the power of the ski takes an interesting turn. With a wider shovel and more taper to it, the primary cut through the snow is on the more freeride side of the spectrum, but after that, the profile is decidedly more business-like. Apart from a rounded tail shape, the ski is mostly cambered and straight, allowing for a direct and aggressive approach to carving turns. The front of the ski is far more playful than the back, and this becomes more apparent the further off the groomed surface you get. Bumps can be a handful, trees are tough, and it prefers slightly chopped snow versus deep and untouched powder. That said, on the feet of a strong and skilled skier, the Enforcer 88 can still be corralled to operate smoothly off-piste. With a slightly shorter than average turn shape of 16.5-meters in the 179, the 88 rips around corners like it’s on rails, and completes turns with a sharp and crisp energy that’s rarely found on skis this width.

For the most part, the Enforcer 88 is happier in an on-piste format and on the feet of a strong and skilled skier. Intermediates and progressing advanced skiers should probably size down if they’re looking at this ski and desire a stable and confident ride. It’s on the stiff and heavy side of the spectrum, though, so it’s mainly reserved for those that have an appropriate background. For us here in Vermont, this shape works great as a one ski quiver, but we’d argue that adding a wider and more playful option to add isn’t a terrible idea.