Nela 96 classic review

Overview

The Nela 96 Classic is the continuation of Stöckli's women's freeride ski for 26/27: the same Nela 96 build in last season's graphics, offered from 899 EUR while the new Nela 93 takes over as the lead women's freeride model. The shape is 134-96-121 mm in all three lengths, with radii of 14.0 m (156), 15.8 m (164) and 17.7 m (172). Stöckli lists 3.12–3.42 kg per pair, or 1,560–1,710 g per ski, which is light for a 96 mm ski with a Titanal top layer. The build is women-specific ("Lady"): a Light Core sandwich, Softflex lay-up with thinner layers, Titanal Technology Pro surface and Polywall sidewalls.

On-snow performance

The spec sheet describes a soft-snow ski that stays easy to manage. The powder rocker at the tip with the Freeride Tip Technology insert and the long, flat-radius Tail Rocker shorten the running length, so the Nela 96 should float early and pivot without effort in powder and chopped snow. Softflex means the individual layers are thinner, which lets lighter skiers bend the ski into the turn; combined with the sub-16 m radius at 164 cm, the construction suggests a lively, quick-turning ski rather than a straight-line charger. The Titanal top layer and the sandwich sidewalls still give it a calmer, more planted feel than carbon-only women's skis at this width. On piste a 96 mm waist is never fast edge to edge, but the camber underfoot and Polywall damping mean it will hold a long carved arc on soft groomers; ice is where it runs out of arguments. Stöckli's own customer reviews describe it as light and playful underfoot with a preference for a forward stance.

Construction & specs explained

• Construction: Sandwich System, Swiss made; women-specific Lady build.
• Core: Light Core, light European wood species.
• Lay-up: Softflex (thinner layers) with a thinner fiberglass under the core.
• Metal: Titanal Technology Pro top layer; graphics printed directly on the Titanal.
• Sidewalls: Polywall (elastic, damping, impact resistant).
• Edges: Solid Metal Edge Light.
• Tip/tail: Freeride Tip Technology insert, powder rocker at the tip, extended Tail Rocker.
• Base: Racing-Graphite.
• Dimensions: 134-96-121 mm in all lengths.
• Radius: 14.0 m (156), 15.8 m (164), 17.7 m (172).
• Weight: 1,560 / 1,700 / 1,710 g per ski (156–172), from Stöckli's per-pair figures.
• Sold flat (optional binding on stoeckli.ch).

Who it's for & comparisons

The Nela 96 Classic suits intermediate to advanced women who want a dedicated soft-snow ski that does not demand a heavyweight's strength, and who are happy to buy last year's graphics to save money. Among women's skis at this width, the Head Kore 93 Ti W is the lighter, slightly narrower rival, the Nordica Santa ana 97 is the heavier, more damp alternative, and the K2 Mindbender 96c womens and Elan Ripstick 94 w are the carbon-based, more forgiving options. If you want the Stöckli build in a unisex ski, the Stockli Stormrider 95 is the equivalent one millimetre narrower, with longer lengths.

Pros, cons and verdict

Pros

• Light for a Titanal-topped 96: 1,560–1,710 g per ski.
• Softflex construction tuned for lighter skiers.
• Powder rocker, Freeride Tip and extended Tail Rocker for easy float and pivoting.
• Classic pricing from 899 EUR, the cheapest route into a Stöckli freeride ski.

Cons

• Only three lengths, topping out at 172 cm.
• A 96 mm waist is slow edge to edge on hard pistes.
• Previous-season graphics; the new Nela 93 is the current model.
• Stock of Classic models is limited; some lengths may sell out.

Verdict: The Nela 96 Classic is the proven Nela 96 at a friendlier price: light, Titanal-damped and easy to turn in soft snow. For women who ski powder regularly and do not need the newest graphics, it is the value pick in Stöckli's range.