Take the Unleashed 98, pull out the metal, and you've got the Unleashed 98 CA. This is Nordica's metal-free freeride ski, with the same poplar wood core as its metal-equipped sibling but a notably lighter, livelier, more freestyle-friendly personality. A favorite of testers and a sleeper hit in the Nordica line, the 98 CA is a freeride ski for skiers who want pop and energy more than they want plowing power.

Why we like it:

Most all-mountain and freeride skis have a metal layer somewhere in their build, and most of the time that's a good thing. But the 98 CA proves how much character a ski can have when you take the metal out. The poplar core and carbon stringers do the structural work, and what comes back to the skier is rebound, energy, and a level of pop that you simply can't get from a metal ski. It's also light enough to handle freestyle features and butters in a way the metal Unleashed 98 just can't.

Who it's for:

All-mountain and freestyle skiers who like a lively, energetic ride and want a ski that's at home in the park as well as on the rest of the mountain. Strong intermediates and lighter skiers who find metal skis too demanding will appreciate how forgiving the CA feels while still skiing strong. This is also a great choice for skiers who do a lot of switch skiing or directional freestyle.

Highlights:

Same shape as the regular Unleashed 98, very different personality. The construction starts with a poplar wood core placed between layer of glass, with no metal anywhere in the build. That changes everything: the ski flexes more freely, rebounds with more energy, and feels noticeably lighter on the feet, with lower swing weight that's especially welcome in the air or when buttering. Sidecut is identical to the metal version, so the carving DNA is intact, just with a softer, more progressive flex pattern. The Freeride Flow Shape's partial twin-tip tail gives the CA a more obvious freestyle bent, with enough rocker to release cleanly and enough kick to ride switch comfortably. Up at the tips, the True Tip approach swaps ABS plastic for extended wood, keeping swing weight low and making the ski feel especially light in the air.

Things to consider:

Without metal, the 98 CA gives up some of the high-speed composure and chop-busting authority of the regular Unleashed 98. If you spend most of your time charging open terrain at speed, you'll want the metal version. The CA is also softer-flexing and less precise on hard ice. It's a tool for skiers who prioritize playfulness over outright stability.

Fit & sizing considerations:

Sizes true to length. If you're transitioning from a metal-equipped ski, you can confidently pick your usual length. The CA's lighter feel makes a longer length more manageable than you might expect.