Nordica has demonstrated its mastery of fiberglass construction, building the best all-glass (i.e., no metal) collection of skis on the planet over the past decade. Among Nordica’s many “best-in-genre” medal winners were the Steadfast, Hell & Back and Patron, one of the finest Big Mountain skis of all time that still headlines the same family of freeski models that includes the Soul Rider 97.

If you think of the Soul Rider 97 as a skinnier Patron, it’s appearance among our Recommended models for the all-mountain Finesse skier should come as no surprise. Its twin-tip design, a rarity among our Recommended models, descends directly from the double-rocker DNA of the Patron. The turned-up tail isn’t an invitation to ski backwards – the Soul Rider 97 is a directional ski – as much as a silent plea to be taken off-piste, where this poppy, playful ski is in its element.

A relatively soft ski that conforms compliantly to the wacky contours encountered off-trail, the Soul Rider 97 still has the stuffing to arc and spark on firm groomers. It’s an intoxicating mix of accurate response and smooth flex served with a dash of energy that loves to travel off trail.

This season Nordica spun off two new All-Mountain East models from established All-Mountain West stars: the Enforcer 93 extended the Enforcer 100’s footprint to a narrower chassis, and the Soul Rider 97 sired the Soul Rider 87. We didn’t receive enough feedback on the 87 to review it, but there’s every indication that it’s also a total gas to rampage all around the mountain on.