By Ethan Sullivan
Nordica Santa ana 93 unlimited
Quick Summary
The Santa Ana 93 Unlimited is a refined lightweight all‑mountain ski built for skiers who want uphill efficiency without sacrificing downhill character. It strikes an appealing balance: nimble and playful enough for tight turns and trees, yet composed enough to inspire confidence on groomers. The Unlimited chassis and carbon reinforcement strip back excess mass compared with full downhill builds, making skinning and bootpacking less fatiguing. This ski is aimed at versatile days where you might work for turns in the morning and still expect enjoyable, capable descents in the afternoon.
Piste Performance
On piste the ski delivers predictable edge hold and a satisfying carving sensation. The 93 mm waist favors quick edge transitions and agility, while the All‑Mountain Rocker profile (approximately 30% tip rocker / 50% camber / 20% tail rocker) provides a forgiving tip and a cambered midsection for rebound and bite. It isn’t a race plate stiffener; the flex profile promotes smooth, controlled turns and good feedback at medium speeds. Riders who like energetic, carve‑oriented skiing without an overly harsh ride will appreciate its temperament.
Off‑piste & Touring
Off‑piste and on light touring it shows its versatility. The narrower waist combined with reduced tip and tail weight (True Tip LT) makes the ski lively and easy to pivot in trees or variable terrain, while the carbon chassis helps keep the weight manageable during ascents. It’s not a powder specialist by any means, but in mixed snow conditions it gives adequate float and maneuverability. If your days mix bootpack approaches, skinning, and varied descents, this ski is a reliable, less tiring option than heavier downhill counterparts.
Tech Specs & What They Mean
Specs and construction explain performance: the All‑Mountain Rocker blends rocker and camber for both flotation and edge grip. Tip/waist/tail at 165 cm: 125.5/93/112.5 mm — a waist of 93 mm supports fast edge‑to‑edge action and piste control. Length‑specific radii (151→172 cm: 13.3–16.1 m) influence turn size and stability. The Lite Performance wood core with Carbon Chassis Santa Ana LT provides torsional stiffness with reduced weight, True Tip LT trims tip mass for playfulness, sidewalls aid edge grip, and a sintered base improves durability and glide.
Who Should Buy / Comparisons
Who is it for and how does it compare? The Santa Ana 93 Unlimited suits intermediate‑to‑advanced skiers seeking a do‑everything, lighter all‑mountain touring ski. Compared with narrower dedicated touring skis it’s heavier but far more fun on descents; compared with wider freeride skis it’s lighter and more agile. Heavier or high‑speed specialists might want a stiffer, broader option for maximal stability and dampening. The ski is sold flat/unmounted, allowing a custom mounting position which is a welcome feature for mixed uphill/downhill use.
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