2022 Nordica Santa Ana 84 Women's Skis

Women who log most of their laps on groomed trails will find a confident, easy-turning partner in the Nordica Santa Ana 84. The narrowest ski in the Santa Ana line combines a women's-specific wood core with a layer of metal and full-length carbon strips, all on a gentle rocker profile. It holds an edge when the snow is firm and turns quickly, without demanding a lot of muscle to get it there.

Why we like it:

Nordica's Terrain Specific Metal shapes the titanal layer to each ski width, so the 84 gets the right dose of grip for a narrow ski instead of a one-size-fits-all sheet. Its carbon chassis keeps it surprisingly light, which makes it easy to carry and easy to steer.

Who it's for:

Intermediate to advanced women who ski mostly groomers and want to build carving technique on a stable, precise platform. It's especially good for skiers on firm Eastern snow and for anyone stepping up from an entry-level ski to something with metal in it.

Highlights:

Nordica builds the Santa Ana 84 around its Energy Ti W core, a women-specific full wood core with a sheet of metal that delivers power and torsional stability without making the ski heavy. The Terrain Specific Metal concept tailors that titanal layer to the ski's width, and on the 84 it's set up for edge hold and quick response on firm snow. Full-length carbon strips form Nordica's Carbon Chassis, which keeps weight down while adding a bit of liveliness, and True Tip Technology extends a tapered wood core into the tip in place of heavier plastic to further reduce swing weight. The All-Mountain Rocker profile softens the tip and tail while leaving a cambered midsection for grip. Pick up the 165cm and you're holding a ski of roughly 1530 grams with a 120-84-105 shape and a 15 meter radius.

Things to consider:

An 84mm waist favors groomed and firm snow, so it won't float like the wider Santa Anas on powder days. Expert women who ski fast and aggressively may find it a little light and want a ski with more mass.

Fit & sizing considerations:

Standard sizing applies to the Santa Ana 84. Pick your usual length; drop a size for quicker short turns or easier handling, and bump up one if you ski fast and want extra stability.