Billed as an expert ski by manufacturers Nordica, we think the Santa Ana 93 is more accessible, offering a ski for women progressing through the earlier stages of all mountain skiing. Yes they perform at the higher levels and stronger, expert freeskiers will enjoy them, but don’t be intimidated if you don’t fit into that category.
Construction is high-end, especially considering the sensible price tag, with a full wood core, titanal plate, and full ABS sidewall. This produces a solid and stable feeling ski, even at higher speeds on the piste, with dampness not always found in an all mountain ski of these dimensions.
At 93mm under foot, they can transfer their on-piste carving mode to all sorts of other variable terrain scenarios. The metal plate does mean they need to be pushed a little bit harder at times and this is perhaps where Nordica feel they are aimed at experts only, but the turn initiation is super easy and they are just more forgiving than the construction would suggest.
Nordica also rate them at the top of their scale for speed, suggesting they aren’t great at slower speeds. We disagree – they seem to turn on a sixpence at slower speeds too, making them highly versatile and generally undemanding when the legs might need some respite.
A contender for the best women’s all mountain ski at this mid 90mm’s width, excelling at on-piste carving, all terrain sliding, and powder floating.
Buy Nordica Santa Ana 93 Skis: $699.99 at Amazon (US)
Buy Nordica Santa Ana 93 Skis: £480 at Ellis Brigham <<Best Deal>>
