Nordica Santa Ana 102 2025 Review

There’s a reason the Santa Ana is one of Nordica’s most popular ski lines. The widest in the line but not wide enough to be considered a true powder ski, the Santa Ana 102 moves between conditions as easily as it does across the mountain.

Groomer & Resort Skiing
Easy to control and playful were two consistent themes in our feedback for the Santa Ana 102. These skis especially shone on groomers with some fresh snow on top. Narrow enough to carve and stable enough to absorb some chunk as things get skied off, they still stay true to Nordica’s reputation for making hard-charging skis. But unlike stiffer, less responsive Nordica models like the Enforcer, the Santa Ana retained a level of playfulness that can be tough to pair with stability. Overall, the Santa Ana 102 hit a sweet spot between a stiff, hard charging ski that might not be very fun in all conditions, and a super flexible playful ski that wouldn't hold up in crud, making it an excellent choice as a daily driver.

“I found them responsive on groomers and carving was really fun.” - Alex Stange

Skier: Lisa Cormier. P: Carter Edwards

Powder & Mixed Conditions:
While the Santa Ana is marketed as an all-mountain ski made to inspire confidence in any conditions, it’s a bit lacking in deeper snow. At only 102 underfoot, it’s not quite wide enough for reliable floatation, and the shape of the tip and tail don’t necessarily make up for what it lacks in underfoot width. Some testers also found them a bit on the heavier side which doesn’t bode super well for floating in deeper snow.

“They weren’t super floaty on the deepest days. The tips and tails flared and seemed to get stuck while the underfoot piece of the ski sank.” - Lisa Cormier

Skier: Alex Stange. P: Hanne Lundin Wallengren

However, they certainly have enough power to do some crud bashing. They aren't as unflappable as the Enforcer series but the metal but there is plenty of ski to drive here. For the huge majority of skiers, these skis have more than enough power to ski the worst conditions you'll come across. It's only if you're the kind of masochist who actually seeks out crud and grim conditions that you might need more ski.

“What I like about this ski is the control you have anywhere on the mountain. You can carve with a lot of speed and still control the ski, or you can hit a cliff and still have control when you land. The size of the ski is perfect for both.” - Gabrielle Mondor

Skier: Alex Stange. P: Hanne Lundin Wallengren

Park & Jibbing:
The Santa Ana is certainly not a park ski, but it is a whole lot more forgiving than the Enforcers. You can press on these a bit and they are quicker to go sideways than the Enforcer too. The ski is very directional, so it definitely suits straight airs or at least landing forwards but it does offer a bit more ease when it comes to popping over features and flexing the ski than some other skis in the Nordica line

Skier: Gabrielle Mondor. P: Hanne Lundin Wallengren

Who's it for?
The Santa Ana 102 makes a strong case as the perfect daily ski for lighter skiers in the Rockies and Western US. If you weigh over 150lbs AND like to charge, you might be happier with an Enforcer but for the majority, this is plenty of ski. In general, it seems like just about any day on the Santa Ana 102 is a pretty good one, except maybe the deepest ones. These will do anything from rock-hard groomers to boot-deep pow just fine and they are quite fun and very accessible too.

Nordica’s Santa Ana 102 keeps you smiling from first chair to last. As the widest ski in the Santa Ana collection, it inspires confidence with a ride that’s as playful as it is versatile. And while it’s at home in any terrain and all conditions, it loves making turns in softer snow, seeking out powder in the trees, and lapping spring slush. Thanks to a fresh construction that pairs both a wood core and an elastomer Pulse core with a sheet of terrain-specific metal, this all-mountain ski is incredibly smooth and powerful yet also forgiving. Amazing days await you–embrace them with Nordica’s Santa Ana 102.