Nordica La Nina Review - Women's Powder Ski

One of our absolute favorite women's powder skis is the Nordica La Nina. Based on another favorite, the Nordica Patron, we weren't surprised when our female testers came back with big praise for these skis after testing.

First off, the basics. Like the Patron, the La Nina has what Nordica calls a "Camrock" profile which in this case means a rocker-camber-rocker profile without distinct tips. This makes it float well (along with the 113 mm waist) in powder, and quick to turn, perfect for surfing and smearing in soft snow.

But unlike some other dual-rocker skis out there, it's not tapered at the tip and tail, so when you lay it over, you get a good long edge on the groomers for carving turns.

It's about 25 percent lighter through construction than the Nordica Patron, using polyurethane and beach stringers between poplar strips.

Trish, one of our ski testers, put the Nordica La Nina through the paces at Mt. Rose:
"I was expecting the Nordica La Nina to do well in powder, but I didn't expect it to be so easy to ski. All I had to do was think about turning, popping off little pillows and dancing in the trees, and the La Nina read my mind. Nordica deserves a big thumbs up for this one."

Quincy, another one of our testers, had this to say:

In other reviews, Ski Magazine said it isn't that often that testers click into a pair of skis that "just sing"
"Once underfoot, it felt like an extension of their bodies as it smoothly absorbed crud, snapped through tight trees, and railed on hardpack."

Freeskier said:
"Even with 113 mm underfoot, the La Nina proved nimble in tight spots. One tester called them 'poppy and playful.' "

Shop the 2013 Nordica La Nina here: