By Liam Anderson
Nordica Santa ana 87
Overview and first impression
The Santa Ana 87 presents itself as a versatile frontside-focused ski, designed primarily for groomed runs and mixed on-piste conditions. With an 87 mm waist and refined tip-and-tail rocker paired with camber underfoot, it strikes a balance between stability and playfulness. The sandwich ABS sidewalls and tuned construction give a predictable, planted feel without being overly heavy. In turns it offers secure edge hold while remaining lively thanks to the unlocked tail that makes pivoting and quick direction changes easier in tighter terrain or variable snow.
Construction, technology and what it means
Construction blends a Performance wood core with a Pulse elastomer layer and a Terrain Specific Metal sheet for tailored dampening and response. This combination yields confidence at speed and a composed ride on choppy snow while preserving enough liveliness for directed carving. Full sandwich sidewalls improve edge grip and durability. Factory base and side angles (0.9° / 87.5°) come tuned for ready-to-ski precision but can be re-tuned to personal preference. Overall the tech package emphasizes controlled response and vibration suppression.
On‑piste behavior
On-piste the ski excels on firm groomers and varied packed-snow conditions. The camber underfoot provides strong rebound and direct edge engagement for crisp carves, while the tip-and-tail rocker eases turn initiation and forgiveness over bumps. You’ll notice the ski maintains speed and composure in longer turns on smoother snow; shorter lengths deliver greater maneuverability for quick, tighter turns. The ski’s damped feel from the metal + Pulse layer gives confidence when pushing pace, especially on imperfect snow and in mixed temperature conditions.
Who it’s for and sizing
Who should buy this ski and how to size it? Targeted at intermediate to expert skiers who spend most time on piste but want all‑mountain versatility, it suits riders who value stability, dampening and reliable edge control. For sizing, choose a length that sits around chin to forehead height depending on your preference: shorter for agility and playful feel, longer for high-speed stability. Note the per-ski mass ranges from about 1600 g (150 cm) to 1990 g (173 cm), so pairing with an appropriate binding is important for desired performance.
Comparisons and caveats
Comparisons and caveats: against peers like the Atomic Vantage Lady 87 and Rossignol Experience W 82, the Santa Ana 87 stands out for its firmer, more damped ride and frontside carving focus. Potential drawbacks include increased weight in the larger sizes, which may be less appealing for uphill touring or skiers prioritizing a lightweight setup. It’s not the ideal choice for deep powder or exclusively off-piste adventures, where wider, softer-rockered skis are preferable. For groomer-oriented all‑mountain use, however, it’s a confident, refined option.
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