By Mason Turner
Nordica Santa ana 88 unlimited
Overview and intended use
The Santa Ana 88 Unlimited is pitched as a lightweight all‑mountain touring ski for women who split time between groomers and uphill‑focused freeriding. Its 88 mm waist makes it nimble on hardpack and variable snow, while the All‑Mountain Rocker profile (about 30% tip rocker, 50% camber, 20% tail rocker) balances turn initiation, edge bite and some float in shallow snow. This model suits skiers who want a single versatile ski for resort laps, skinning approaches and occasional off‑piste runs without carrying unnecessary weight uphill.
Construction and weight explained
Construction blends sandwich/sidewall architecture with a Lite Performance wood core and Carbon Chassis LT reinforcement. In practical terms, the sidewall keeps edge grip and transmission of power, the wood core gives a lively but damped feel, and carbon strips reduce weight while maintaining torsional rigidity. True Tip reduces tip mass for a more playful swingweight. Expect per‑ski weights roughly 1180–1360 g depending on length, which explains the ski’s uphill appeal without sacrificing downhill precision.
On‑piste behavior and turning
On piste the Santa Ana 88 Unlimited is surprisingly composed for a lightweight touring ski. The camber underfoot provides solid edge hold and pop exiting turns, while the tip rocker eases turn initiation and smooths chatter. With turn radii around 13–15.5 m across sizes it covers short to medium turns confidently. You’ll get dependable edge grip on firm snow and stable behavior at moderate speeds, though the 88 mm waist won’t provide the same forgiveness or flotation in very rough or deep snow as wider freeride‑oriented skis.
Uphill efficiency and bindings
Uphill efficiency is a clear strength: lower swingweight from Carbon Chassis LT and True Tip reduces fatigue on skintracks and makes bootpacks more pleasant. The ski’s relative lightness doesn’t completely trade away downhill performance, so descents remain engaging. Note that bindings are sold separately, and choosing a lightweight tech or frame binding will materially affect the system weight and stiffness. Length selection matters—shorter for quick handling and lighter uphill feel, longer for stability and higher‑speed confidence.
Who should buy and potential drawbacks
Who should buy this ski and what to watch for? The Santa Ana 88 Unlimited is ideal for advanced recreational women who want a do‑it‑all ski near 88 mm for resort days mixed with uphill objectives. Potential drawbacks include limited float in deep powder and the fact that ultrarigid high‑metal constructions will outperform it in very aggressive all‑mountain charging. Compare it to other 85–95 mm women’s all‑mountain touring skis if you value a lighter package with solid on‑piste manners and efficient climbing characteristics.
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