Skis of the year
NORDICA
Enforcer 104 Free
$850
D: 134.5-104-123.5mm
R: 17.5m
Few skis are as versatile as the new Enforcer 104, which appealed to just about every skier in the Union. Racer-types liked being able to get this ski on edge while those who took it in the air were impressed by its stable platform and solid landings.
With a titanium, balsa, poplar, and beech core construction, this Austrian-made all-mountain ski is equally at home in powder as it is on groomers. Able to deliver racer-like maneuverability with its 17.5m turn radius, rocker in the tip makes it ski a bit shorter and more nimbly than its true length.
Be prepared to take control of this ski and stay aggressive. It needs a firm driver and wants to fly. —Dave Stergar
ICELANTIC
Nomad 105
$729
D: 140-105-130mm
R: 19m
A playful, jib-seeking gene has been spliced into the Nomad 105, a bulletproof ski with a forgiving flex that won’t drain your energy.
Relying on a damp poplar/paulownia Hybrid Flight Core, this spirited ski held its shape while floating through the forests of Red Mountain. It excels at imitating a wider ski than its 105mm underfoot, powering through crud and bumps
