Nordica Unleashed 108 Skis  

Nordica has integrated a new rocker design into the Unleashed 108s profile that provides a longer running length. This is achieved with less overall tip and tail rocker depth meaning that it is more aggressive and does not flow as progressively from the ski’s platform underfoot. This provides more support and stability, especially at speed, and makes the ski’s tip and tail shape much more fun. Their large, steeper shovel-shape plows through snow and floats on top when it’s deep with little to no tip deflection in soft snow. The Unleashed 108’s tails are more turned up and easier to break free allowing for smearing turns as well as riding switch. Nordica calls this their Powder Rocker Profile and consists of 35% rocker in the tips, 40% camber underfoot, and 25% rocker in the tails. This versatile rocker profile provides increased floatation in deep and difficult snow while the more traditional camber underfoot provides a more responsive turn initiation thanks to the ski’s rebound energy as you come out of each turn. This allows you to fine-tune your skiing style to the terrain and snow conditions, approaching every turn with a creative style that is unique to you.

The construction of the Unleashed 108 Skis consists of a wood core paired with carbon fibre and a sheet of terrain-specific metal. Combined, this enhances the ski's edge hold and dampens vibration for a smoother overall ride. Titanal metal runs tip to tail, centrally located throughout the skis and is cut out along the sides so that they're more flexible and playful. This metal sheet then returns to a full width at the tips and tails which provide good torsional stiffness, power, stability at speed, and superior edge grip on harder snow.

The Nordica Unleashed 108 Skis are super versatile given their new rockered powder profile which handles diverse terrain and snow conditions with ease. If you are looking for a playful ski that offers up high performance all over the mountain then the new Nordica Unleashed 108 Skis are definitely ones you should consider.

ABS Sidewalls, Terrain Specific Metal Construction, Carbon Fibre Glass

• Construction: ENERGY TSM TI
• Rocker: Powder Rocker Profile
• Full performance woodcore
• ABS Sidewalls
• Carbon fiber glass
• 1 Terrain-Specific TI layer
• Factory Base Bevel: 1°
• Factory Side Bevel: 2°

While not the lightest ski we’ve ever tested, Nordica’s new Unleashed 108 Skis has got to be one of the most fun. Besides the obvious rocker/camber/rocker profile which floats over everything in its path and still provides pop and rebound on firm groomer snow, the main reason that the Unleashed 108 Skis are so much darn fun is that they have the mass, size and shape to obliterate anything standing in their way. My first day with the Unleashed 108s was a wet, heavy snow day that consisted of 15cm on top of a very firm base. Out of the gates, the Unleashed 108s smeared the snow like butter with super fun slashing turns and slarves in the untracked snow. They provided enough float to stay on top of the snow and rarely came into contact with the firm icy base below. Once the snow was broken up it was impossible to avoid the crust but the Unleashed 108s were able to bite hard and find purchase to crank out turns, plowing over any broken crud and soft piles of slop. They made fast work of the variable snow conditions that only got worse as the day progressed. Day two saw things re-freeze and tighten up with fresh groomers the place to be to avoid any of the chunder off-piste. The Unleashed 108’s short to moderate rocker profile and long camber underfoot provide a longer effective edge than most skis of these dimensions for more stability than what I was expecting. They were full of energy and had a nice pop out of each turn that made it easier to swing around their 108mm girth from turn to turn. They were snappy and responsive for such a big heavy ski and liked to go fast where they provided a relatively damp and stable ride. Given their size and weight they were not as nimble as some skis but their early rise in the tips and tails allowed me to throw them around quite easily, especially given their width underfoot. While they performed best in soft snow where their power and playful nature shined through, they were also more than competent at carving big powerful GS turns on hard snow.

Make no mistake this is a big burly ski that’s designed to ski chutes, drops, and big lines all over the mountain, they are not a dedicated touring ski. Like the Line Blade Optic 104 Skis that I just finished reviewing, the Unleashed 108s are an expert ski for skiing aggressively off-piste and performing best in deeper snow and challenging conditions. They are, however, not as much of a park ski but more of an all-mountain charger. While able to ski tour, the Unleashed 108 Skis are heavy at over 4 kilos for the 186 length which means that you won’t be crushing unlimited vertical as they will be slowing you down on the up track unless, of course, you are 20 years old or very young at heart. 

If you are looking for a fun, spirited ski that is damp and stable in challenging terrain and has enough mass to drive through anything, then the Nordica Unleashed 108 Skis are for you.