When the Patron debuted two years ago, it immediately established itself as an exceptional Big Mountain stick.  Now that Nordica has stocked this genre with three models, the Patron remains the most surprising of the lot. No ski 113mm underfoot should feel nimble and lively, but the Patron exudes these qualities. A ski this rockered shouldn’t feel so connected to the snow, but the Patron defies this expectation, as well. And no ski without metal should grip on groomers with this level of accuracy, but there you are.

The Patron’s pleasant habit of contradicting conventional wisdom extends to set-up crud – where metal-less skis are apt to be kicked around – and even bumps, where most skis this size turn like tankers in a bathtub.  We’re not recommending you take the Patron absolutely anywhere, we’re just saying that if the spirit moved you, you could. Of course it prefers its snow fresh and uncut – every fat ski ever made purrs in this medium – but the Patron continues to distinguish itself for its fortitude in conditions where other skis of its ilk flounder.  Considering that powder “days” are more like powder hours, this ecumenical attitude is what makes the Patron such an enduring pleasure.