Santa Ana 102

The 2027 Santa Ana 102 is the widest ski in Nordica’s Santa Ana line, aimed at women who want confident soft-snow performance without giving up a strong edge on the rest of the mountain. Its 102 mm waist and five lengths from 155 to 179 cm favor powder, trees, crud and spring snow, while the moderate sidecut keeps it willing to make purposeful turns on groomers. SkiEssentials reports the 2027 model as a carryover in construction, profile and graphics.

TSM Pulse Core pairs a full Performance Wood core and elastomer Pulse layer with terrain-specific metal. Nordica uses the metal to keep power and stability underfoot and toward the ends, leaving the ski more supple where a wide platform benefits from easier flex. All Mountain rocker and True Tip make the broad ski easier to release and maneuver than its weight suggests. It is smooth and damp at speed, but still more directional than a surf-only powder ski.

Choose the Santa Ana 102 for an advanced or expert woman who regularly seeks soft snow and wants a sturdy all-mountain ski for variable resort conditions. Testers describe strong edge hold through chop and a lively feel for the width, while the metal build remains demanding when skiing slowly in tight terrain. The 97 is quicker on firmer days; a lighter or wider specialist serves better if either climbing efficiency or deep-powder flotation is the main goal.