The 2027 Nordica Unleashed 98 CA with Tyrolia Attack 14 GW Bindings is what you get when you take the Unleashed 98 and pull the metal out. This is Nordica's metal-free freeride ski, sharing the poplar wood core of its metal-equipped sibling but carrying a notably lighter, livelier, more freestyle-friendly personality. A favorite of testers and a sleeper hit in the line, it is built for skiers who want pop and energy more than plowing power. We paired the Unleashed 98 CA with the Tyrolia Attack 14 GW because of the Attack’s light weight, reliability, and ease-of-use for all mountain and freeride skiers. Additionally, ample elastic travel and direct power transmission function to ensure these bindings cater perfectly to the needs of demanding freeriders.

Why we like it:

Most all-mountain and freeride skis carry a metal layer somewhere in the build, and most of the time that is a good thing. The CA proves how much character a ski can have once the metal comes out. Poplar core and carbon stringers do the structural work, and what comes back to the skier is rebound, energy, and a level of pop no metal ski can produce. It is also light enough for freestyle features and butters in a way the metal version simply is not.

Who it's for:

All-mountain and freestyle skiers who like a lively, energetic ride and want something at home in the park as well as everywhere else. Strong intermediates and lighter skiers who find metal skis too demanding will appreciate how forgiving the CA feels while still skiing strong, and it is a great choice for anyone doing a lot of switch skiing or directional freestyle.

Highlights:

Same shape as the metal-equipped model, very different personality. Construction starts with a poplar wood core placed between layers of glass, with no metal anywhere in the build, and that changes everything: the ski flexes more freely, rebounds with more energy, and feels noticeably lighter on the feet, with lower swing weight that is especially welcome in the air or when buttering. Sidecut is identical to the metal version, so the carving DNA under that 98 mm waist stays 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 front, True Tip swaps ABS plastic for extended wood, keeping swing weight low and making the ski feel especially light off a lip. With a low stand height of just 17 millimeters, the 2027 Tyrolia Attack 14 offers an impressively close connection to the snow, delivering precise power transmission and a confident, locked-in feel. The FR Pro3 toe piece allows for a full 180 degrees of boot release, enhancing safety in a variety of fall scenarios, while the AFS (Anti-Friction Slider) ensures reliable re-centering and consistent release characteristics. Built to withstand hard use, the Attack 14 combines durability with performance, making it a go-to option for aggressive skiers who demand trust in their gear.

Things to consider:

Without metal, the CA gives up some of the high-speed composure and chop-busting authority of the regular Unleashed 98, so anyone who spends most of their time charging open terrain at speed will want the metal version. It is also softer-flexing and less precise on hard ice. Think of it as a tool for skiers who prioritize playfulness over outright stability.

Fit & sizing considerations:

Lengths run true, and skiers coming off a metal-equipped ski can confidently take their usual number, since the CA's lighter feel makes a longer length more manageable than you might expect.