By Ava Mitchell
Nordica Team am fdt (100-140)
Quick overview
The Team AM FDT (100-140) is a junior all‑mountain ski built for kids who are learning to ski or progressing toward an easy intermediate level. It’s clearly focused on groomed slopes: the soft flex and forgiving construction make the ski approachable and confidence‑inspiring. The light weight and subtle tip and tail rocker give it a playful, easy‑to‑steer character, helping youngsters initiate turns without fighting the skis. Many retailers sell the complete package with an FDT junior plate and matching junior bindings, which makes the setup convenient for families getting children into the sport.
Construction and on-snow feel
Construction uses composite materials in a cap‑style build that keeps weight down and the feel forgiving underfoot. The profile is a rocker–camber hybrid: a traditional camber underfoot delivers modest rebound and edge bite while a small tip rocker and slight tail rocker soften turn engagement and release. This combo produces a ski that’s stable at low to moderate speeds but prioritizes ease and predictability over high‑speed precision. The cap construction soaks up chatter and reduces the harsh feedback that can intimidate beginners, but it won’t provide the stiffness sought by heavier or more advanced juniors.
Performance: groomers and turning
On groomers the Team AM FDT excels at making skiing fun and approachable. Shorter lengths and small turn radii enable quick, tight turns that help young skiers build technique without needing speed. The skis encourage playful carving and easy pivoting, which is ideal for lessons and confident cruising. At higher speeds or on aggressively iced runs the softer construction and limited torsional rigidity become noticeable; the ski will feel more compliant and less secure than a stiffer junior race or advanced piste ski. For learning, progression and relaxed family days the behavior is exactly right.
Bindings, setup and sizing
Bindings and mounting are junior‑oriented: the FDT junior plate (FDT Jr RTL S or L) and supplied junior bindings have lower DIN ranges suited to children. Typical listings show JR 4.5 FDT for smaller sizes and JR 7.0 FDT for the largest junior lengths — always confirm the exact binding model and DIN range with the retailer. Factory base and side bevels (0.9° base, 87.5° side) are tuned to be catch‑free, which helps turn initiation and makes releases more predictable for learners. The included hardware makes the skis ready to go straight out of the shop.
Specs explained and who should buy
Brief spec explanation to help buyers: sidecut (tip/waist/tail 104–106 / 67 / 93–95 mm) affects turn shape and stability; the mild tip/tail rocker (~10% tip, ~5% tail) eases turn initiation and release; composite cap construction keeps weight low (≈940 g per ski) and increases forgiveness at the cost of ultimate stiffness; turn radii range roughly 6–12 m depending on length, determining how short or long your turns will feel. In summary, this model is an excellent ‘grow‑with‑me’ piste ski for kids—very friendly and predictable, but not aimed at aggressive or off‑piste performance.
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