By Ava Mitchell
Nordica Santa ana 97
Overview and positioning
The Santa Ana 97 is a versatile all‑mountain ski with a 97 mm waist that feels at home on groomers and softer snow alike. It’s designed for skiers who want a stable, reliable daily driver that still offers enough playfulness to explore varied terrain. The ski uses an all‑mountain rocker/camber/rocker profile that balances nimble handling in short turns with reassuring grip in longer, carved arcs. Available lengths from 150 to 179 cm make it easy to pick a size that matches technique, preferred turn shape and weight.
On‑piste behavior
On piste the 97 impresses with direct edge hold and a composed, predictable feel thanks to sandwich sidewalls and the titanium laminate. The TSM Pulse core blends wood with an elastomer layer for a lively yet damped ride, returning energy without feeling harsh. With a mid‑fat 97 mm waist the ski is responsive for quick edge‑to‑edge transitions and comfortable in short to medium radius turns. Skiers spending most days on groomers will appreciate the stability at speed and the forgiving character in variable snow.
Off‑piste and soft snow
Off‑piste and in softer snow the tip and tail rocker provides more float than you’d expect from a 97 mm waist. The refined tail shape and revised rocker help the ski pivot through chop and soften catches, making it a surprisingly capable option for resort‑adjacent powder and mixed snow. It isn’t a deep‑powder specialist, but it covers most mixed‑snow scenarios very well. Riders who chase deep backcountry floats regularly will want a wider model, but for diverse days around the mountain this ski performs admirably.
Construction, specs and what they mean
Construction and specs explain a lot about performance. The TSM Pulse core is a performance wood core with added elastomer for damping and pop. The terrain‑specific metal laminate adds stability and reduces chatter at speed, while ABS sidewalls in a sandwich construction give solid edge hold and impact durability. Key numbers: 97 mm waist meaning a balance between agility and flotation, tip/tail range roughly 124–130 mm and 112–118 mm respectively depending on length, and turn radii from 15.5 to 18 meters which determine the ski’s favored turn size and responsiveness.
Who it suits and comparison
Who should buy it and how does it compare? This ski suits intermediate to advanced/expert women who want a do‑it‑all tool for daily resort use and varied conditions. Compared to a narrower 92 mm sibling it rides more confidently off piste and offers more stability; versus a 102+ model it remains quicker edge‑to‑edge and lighter to maneuver. Potential drawbacks include slightly higher weight in the longest sizes and limited performance in extreme deep powder. Overall it’s an excellent, well‑balanced all‑mountain option for many skiers.
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