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hi_vis360
November, 2024

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Nordica Ace Ski Durability?

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FangleDangle
Posts: 44 - Karma: 40
So how tough are these skis? I've heard mixed reviews but it seems like a compelling ski.
Jan 22 2014 1:10AM
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FangleDangle
Posts: 44 - Karma: 40
bump
Jan 23 2014 12:40AM
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D34DM0053
Posts: 150 - Karma: 604
Friend has last years and they are pretty durable.
Jan 23 2014 6:33AM
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FangleDangle
Posts: 44 - Karma: 40
Cool, are they holding up well in considering how hard/relaxed he skis?
Jan 23 2014 3:47PM
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Park.
Posts: 2480 - Karma: 4,582
I have a pair and they are some of the best skis out for big features. They have an amazing flex patter for someone who likes stiff skis and they hold an edge better than my atpmic slalom skis. the AoS's are pretty much indestructable, I have never heard of anyone breaking them and they are absolute tanks of skis. The bases are super super fast, but you do need to maintain them well as well as more durable than a ton of other bases out there. The edges are very solid, but since the ski is made like a race ski, it has A TON of energy to the edge, which when you hit rails, makes more force on a single point, so they do get riddled with edge cracks, but the cracks do nothing since the layup is supported by a sheet of aluminum alloy right over the base and edge. They are on the heavier side though, which is noticeable with rail tricks, but the weight does not hinder anything, its just a nice solid feel. Overall, Excels incredibly on large features, and highly recommend for anyone who can handle them, because they are certainly not a beginner ski and you need to know how to ski to truly get what you pay for.
Jan 23 2014 11:05PM
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FangleDangle
Posts: 44 - Karma: 40
Thanks for the info! It'll be these or the dynastars depending on the availability.
Jan 25 2014 12:55AM
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Park.
Posts: 2480 - Karma: 4,582
which dynastars? because dynastar also makes bomber skis but they are on the very heavy side. Still, thye are like a stiff, more hardcore version of K2's which is a great thing. it depends on what you are actually planning to do and which dynastar but I can also give a recommendation for those too
Jan 25 2014 12:59PM
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FangleDangle
Posts: 44 - Karma: 40
Most likely the distorter, maybe the slicers if I feel like a fatter ski.
Jan 25 2014 11:04PM
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s-hand
Posts: 1334 - Karma: 1,800
bump. also interested in the distorter
Feb 18 2014 10:14AM
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That_One_Dude
Posts: 1050 - Karma: 760
Have the Ace of Spades which is the same ski old name and love them. Came off a pair of T-halls in a 176 which I loved but with a racing background I needed something that could handle a hard edge. I'm very happy with my AOS and while they are heavy at first, you will get used to them, I ski them in a 184 and they are fine. Once they break in some they have a real nice flex pattern that is playful with some effort yet can hold an edge on groomers exceptionally well for a centered ski, they are also the poppiest skis I have owned (walls, chronics, t-halls). Like what was said above, if you don't mind a stiffer ski and can handle the weight they are a pretty bombproof ski. I have edge cracks but no pullouts or delams, just standard topsheet chipping. I also ride STH 14's on them with no complaints.
Feb 18 2014 9:16PM
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s-hand
Posts: 1334 - Karma: 1,800
ah forgot to mention: because the ace has a layer of metal that youre screwing into, you really NEVER have to worry about bindings pulling out.
Feb 18 2014 10:21PM
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Park.
Posts: 2480 - Karma: 4,582
exactly. its definitely one of the best made if not THE best made park ski out. and about Dynastars, if you are looking at the distorters then you will be very happy. its a flat ski with rocker (maybe a little bit of camber) and can hold an edqe very very well also. its stiff, but the rocker still gives it a more playful feel than the AoS's. durable as all hell too and super crazy springy and snappy because of springblade tech. decently fast and a solid east coast ski.
Feb 18 2014 10:53PM
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s-hand
Posts: 1334 - Karma: 1,800
excellent.  coming off three years on the aos, the distorter sounds like a relatively good choice for me
Feb 18 2014 11:04PM
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DonNut
Posts: 74 - Karma: 70
Mine didn't last one full season, still the best symmetrical park ski i have skied on. Real fast base and flexpattern just the way i like it. IMO it wasn't that heavy, coming from skiing with Line Chronic almost 10cm taller =)

The problem was hitting big ass disasters which ended up busting the edge, making the sidewall pop a little out of its place. It wasn't too bad for a few days but the more I skied, the more it came off and in the end you could see the core for a good 40cm part of the ski. On both skis. On both sides.

Long story short: loved the ski, mine just didn't last too long
Feb 19 2014 8:16AM
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mode2n
Posts: 2856 - Karma: 256
I've owned two pairs in 170, a pair from the 10/11 season and another from 13/14. The dimensions have been altered for those sizes, but it's still a great ski overall. They're very poppy and are overall a sturdy ski that will take almost anything you throw at it. I do everything on them, rails, jumps, some pipe, buttering/flexing around and urban, with all being fantastic on these. As said above though, the base does need care to stay at its best performance. If you like a stiff ski that feels incredibly solid yet flex's nicely OP, look no further!
Feb 19 2014 1:46PM
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freeskibum82
Posts: 6355 - Karma: 5,057
disasters will do that to any ski.
Feb 19 2014 1:51PM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 373
nordica base material isnt very strong fwiw, pretty much destroyed a helldorado this morning.
Feb 19 2014 11:04PM
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Park.
Posts: 2480 - Karma: 4,582
already covered. its almost like it peels and shit but its still holds its fucking own on hard material like ice. I have only gotten scratches from pussy shit like landing on a sharp stick and riding over little sharp pebbles early season. Its the same thing with actual race ski bases so it only tells you they are good bases.
Feb 19 2014 11:07PM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 373
i hit a rock, not that hard and ripped out a chunk bout 8" long by 3" wide to the core... wouldnt have happened on a praxis or on3p
Feb 19 2014 11:54PM
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Park.
Posts: 2480 - Karma: 4,582
If i remember correctly ON3P and Praxis use a base maerial by Crown plastics. It is no different than numerous other brands for base material aside from that fact that there is different quality levels. unless ON3P makes their own bases to their own specs, then how can you say that they are so much better than everything else? Nordica bases are amazing quality and its not like a there is such a difference in quality with the bases to have no damage on one ski and a massive coreshot on another. if it was really such a terrible hit, how can you say that the bases wouldnt get damaged on the ON3P's? its bullshit. rock beats the shit out of plastic. there is no point in showing your bias towards other brands just because its the thing to do.

Is this going to get hate? Yes. Am I ripping on other ski brands? No.

Since this reaction is completely uncalled for, I apologize in advance.
Feb 20 2014 1:11AM
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DonNut
Posts: 74 - Karma: 70
I am well aware of that, just didn't remember to point that one out.
I think most people still don't get that and go on rambling about company X having shitty quality because "I skied one day and broke them" yeah, shit happens. I have broken a lot of skis during my 10+ years skiing twintips. Some of them lasted for a couple of days, some have held up for a few complete seasons. It's all about what you do with the ski.

I still highly recommend the Ace if you are looking for a fast symmetrical park ski.
Feb 20 2014 8:30AM
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freeskibum82
Posts: 6355 - Karma: 5,057
word. no worries. I think nordica makes a great ski and to those saying the base sucks, i really havent had an issue with my dead moneys (omw now) and i hit everything from rails to the woods when not covered enough to ski. so far so good. Ive had really good luck with nordica and rossi when it comes to the strength of the edges and ski.
Feb 20 2014 11:38AM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 373
I've skied a lot of skis, and destroyed a lot of skis.

My 3 pairs of Praxis have held up where other skis have not. The base material the big companies use is "better" frrom a shop tech perspective, it holds wax better and is generally faster, it's also thinner.

FWIW, I work in a shop, I see a lot of skis inclluding their bases, I get skis cheap but I pay retail for a ski that will last more than half a season.
Feb 20 2014 1:07PM
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