The Nordica Santa Ana 93 is an exquisitely balanced ski in several senses. Its overall behavioral profile is split almost exactly between Power and Finesse properties. Last season we tagged it with the Finesse label and this year it barely tipped into Power country, indicating that it’s really neither, but a perfect union of both. Its flex is nicely balanced and its weight is modest considering the Santa Ana 93 contains two 4mm sheets of Titanal around a mostly wood, multi-material core.

Perhaps most importantly, the Santa Ana 93 is a terrain agnostic, happy to spend its day on groomers if that’s your pleasure, just as thrilled to toddle off-piste and take on the crud field of your choice. “Great one-ski quiver,” gushes Jolee from Footloose Sports. “It can charge on hardpack and off piste. Doesn’t have a speed limit.”

Jolee’s co-worker Amy finds the Santa Ana 93 “stable even in changing snow conditions,” underscoring the all-terrain chops that earned it the second-highest score in the category for Off-Piste Performance. Stacy from Squaw Valley actually preferred the Santa Ana 93’s on-trail moves, calling it “light, fairly flexible which makes them fun all around. A little bit noodly at higher speeds, and harder to make tight turns in the trees/moguls since they’re a bit beefier ski. Carves great; easy to get on edge. Groomers were lots of fun.” Balancing Stacy’s assessment is this take from Lauren at Footloose, who would match the Santa Ana 93 with a “strong lady skier, 35+ y/o, a Mom who used to rip. Good tip engagement in off piste/moguls.”

With a tip made to follow terrain and camber pocket underfoot with the juice to knock heavy snow out of the way, the Santa Ana 93 works equally well for the woman gearing up for her first forays off-trail and the veteran already versed in traversing the sidecountry. For its even temperament and stability under mild pressure, we again award the Santa Ana 93 a Silver Skier Selection.