The 2024 Stockli Nela 88 is a prime example of an awesome all-mountain ski for advanced and expert skiers who value precision, quality, and performance above all else. Most all-mountain skis fit into the mid 80’s through mid-90's, and this 88 is right there with the best of them. For years, Stockli has focused on making some of the most precise skis on the planet and the big thing with them is that they use their race room and associated technologies to filter down into the recreational skis. As such, skis like this Nela 88 have a lot in common with the best and fastest skis that the company makes. This gives the Nela 88 sublime on-trail performance while the off-trail acumen and adventurous spirit is firmly intact.

It’s pretty amazing what Stockli can do with a light wood core made out of balsa and fuma. They are able to access a lot of energy out of the vertical placements of the stringers and they don’t stop there with materials. By adding a fiberglass laminate to the mix, they’re providing pop and energy to the ski that leads to excellent rebound and propulsion from one turn to the next. Stockli also uses a dual-metal laminate in this Nela 88 to provide dampness and power. The bottom laminate provides strength and stability while the upper layer pulls double-duty as both a structural piece as well as being the topsheet. This makes the ski a bit stiffer than the 96, giving this 88 more of an on-trail persona to it. They manage to keep it light as well, with the 160 registering 1550 grams per ski. That’s on the agile side of the spectrum for sure, making it easy to ski when you want while keeping it demanding as well.

At 88 mm underfoot, the ski is well-rounded and great for skiers like us here in Vermont. Most skiers spend most of their time on-trail, whether groomed or not, and for those applications, the Nela 88 is a great shape. There’s some tip rocker that helps it stay afloat when the snow gets soft, or for skiing in the trees, and then the flatter and more business-like tail keeps the skier engaged in the turn for a long time. The smoothness of the ski is mainly attributed to the longer effective edge since the longer the ski is in contact with the snow, the more supple the feel is overall.

While the Nela 88 has a broad audience, it’s definitely better suited to skiers on the advanced and expert side of the spectrum. There’s a lot to be said for a well-rounded ski that’s on the high end of the range when it comes to precision and quality. Sure, Stockli skis tend to cost a bit more than most, but you are getting a premium product here. Skis are all made from basically the same materials, but the quality of those and the way in which they’re constructed makes a big difference. Stockli does a better job in their build phase, and that leads to a wonderful overall product.