A case could be made that Nordica has been building the best all-glass (i.e., non-metal) skis on the planet for the past several seasons. Models like the Steadfast, Hell & Back and Patron raked in best-in-show awards in their respective genres since their introduction.  Nordica’s La Nina is cloned from the Patron, purloining every aspect of the unisex model but two center channels of its wood core, which La Nina replaces with foam.

Aside from this modest weight-trimming gesture, La Nina is the Patron in a slightly skewed size run that includes a161cm iteration.  What distinguishes both the Patron and La Nina is the ability to impart a carved turn sensation in powder.  This trait derives from the mildly cambered zone through the ski’s midsection that behaves like a hard-snow ski in a fat boy’s body. Not only is this critical area arched like a traditional ski to make it more responsive, it’s also given a 14m shape so it can reel out short turns on demand.

Women who like to let the horse they’re riding run fast and free can drop the reins on La Nina and let the freshies fly without fear of throwing a shoe.