If you're shopping for a one-ski quiver, the Nordica Unleashed 98 deserves a long look. This is the do-it-all member of the Unleashed family, anchored by a poplar core, carbon stringers above and below, and a single strip of Drift Lock Metal under the boot. It's one of those rare freeride skis that genuinely earns its keep on hardpack while still being playful enough to hit side hits and slash through the trees.

Why we like it:

The Unleashed 98 is everything skiers say they want from a freeride ski but rarely get. It carves a clean turn on firm snow, pivots easily in tight spots, and floats well enough in softer conditions to handle a powder day if you only have one ski with you. The lightweight poplar core gives it real energy and pop, and the targeted metal strip keeps it composed when you're charging.

Who it's for:

Advanced skiers who want freeride character without sacrificing on-trail manners. The Unleashed 98 is also a strong option for skiers transitioning from a more directional all-mountain ski toward something playful and surfy, since it gives up very little carving ability in the trade. Strong intermediates with good technique will be at home here too.

Highlights:

Versatility is the brief, and the construction reflects it. The poplar wood core sits between carbon stringers above and below, with a single strip of titanal placed underfoot via Drift Lock Technology. That metal strip is binding-width and runs roughly centered, which means damping and stability where your weight goes, with no penalty in the tips and tails. The Freeride Flow Shape gives the 98 a touch more taper than the older Unleashed 98 line, with a moderately rockered tip and a partial twin-tip tail that releases cleanly out of a turn. Sidecut at the 180 reads 133-98-122 with an 18.1-meter turn radius, which is short for a 98mm-waisted freeride ski and is a big part of why this ski carves so well. Nordica's True Tip approach trims heavy ABS from the shovel and runs the wood core further toward the end of the ski, which is what makes the 98 feel quicker than its dimensions suggest.

Things to consider:

If your priority is pure powder performance, the Unleashed 98 won't keep up with the wider 114 or 120 when conditions get deep. It's also less of a charger than the Enforcer 99, so skiers who like a heavier, more locked-in feel underfoot might prefer to look at that ski instead. Within its own family, this is the most balanced option, but balance always involves tradeoffs.

Fit & sizing considerations:

Standard sizing. The 98 fits true to length. Pick your usual size. Bump up if you ski mostly fast and open; drop a length if you want maximum maneuverability in tight terrain.