Santa ana 82 review

Overview

The Santa Ana 82 is Nordica's narrowest women's all-mountain ski, positioned as the frontside/hardpack specialist in the Santa Ana line for 26-27. Verified sidecut at 167 cm is 112.5-82-100.5 mm with a 15.2 m radius. Available lengths are 150, 155, 161 and 167 cm. Weight is 2800 g per pair (≈1400 g per single ski). Construction is Nordica's TSM Pulse Core — Performance Wood, Terrain Specific Metal (a shaped titanal insert), Sidewall and a Pulse Core elastomer layer for vibration damping.

On-snow performance

At 82 mm with a 15.2 m radius, the Santa Ana 82 is aimed at strong intermediate-to-advanced women who spend most of their time on groomed and firm off-piste snow. The Terrain-Specific Metal insert delivers strong hardpack edge grip without the mass of a full titanal sheet, and the Pulse Core elastomer smooths high-speed chatter. Roughly 1400 g per ski at 167 cm is light for a metal-carrying 82 — swings and pivots easily in tight terrain. Off piste, the narrow waist limits real powder performance, but the ski holds a line through firm crud.

Construction & specs explained

Core: Performance Wood with a shaped Terrain-Specific Metal insert (targeted titanal that adds grip where needed rather than a full sheet), ABS sidewalls, and a Pulse Core elastomer layer between wood layers for pulse damping. Verified sidecut at 167 cm: 112.5-82-100.5 mm, radius 15.2 m. Factory 0.9° base / 87.5° side edges. Rocker profile is All-Mountain — moderate tip rocker with camber underfoot. Four length options: 150, 155, 161, 167 cm.

Who it's for & comparisons

Compared to the Nordica Santa ana 84 it is 2 mm narrower and closer to a pure piste shape. Against the Nordica Santa ana 87 it is narrower and firmer, with less soft-snow versatility. Compared to the Head Kore 87 Ti W it is narrower and heavier per length, with more titanal-driven damping and less carbon-driven snap.

Pros, cons and verdict

Pros

• Terrain-Specific Metal delivers hardpack edge grip without full titanal mass.
• Pulse Core elastomer smooths chatter at speed for a quiet, confidence-inspiring ride.
• ~1400 g per ski at 167 cm is easy to swing and pivot in tight terrain.
• Four lengths (150–167 cm) cover most adult women.

Cons

• 82 mm waist limits real off-piste versatility versus the 87 or 92.
• Longest length is 167 cm — taller women may want the 87 or 92.
• Not built for touring — resort-oriented weight and construction.
• Modest 15.2 m radius doesn't suit strict short-turn preferences.

Verdict: A titanal-strip 82 mm women's all-mountain ski that leans piste-first while retaining some off-piste capability. Best for advanced-intermediate to advanced women who mostly ski hardpack and firm off-piste and want composed, damped handling.