Nordica Santa Ana 92 Skis Review
The Nordica Santa Ana 92 is a women’s all-mountain ski built for confident, precise turns on groomed terrain. With a 92 mm waist and a wood, metal, and Pulse Core construction, it pairs a stable, damp feel with quick edge-to-edge response. Tip and tail rocker add forgiveness and ease of initiation, while the flat tail holds strong through the finish of a carve. If you spend most of your days on piste and want a ski that inspires trust at speed without feeling demanding, the Santa Ana 92 is a compelling option.
Tech Specs (At a Glance)
- Waist Width: 92 mm
- Construction: Wood/metal/Pulse Core
- Camber Profile: Tip and tail rocker with flat tail
- Sidecut Radius: 15.5 m (155 cm) to 16.5 m (167 cm)
- Weight: 7 lbs. 2.3 oz. to 7 lbs. 15 oz. per pair
Construction and Core
The Santa Ana 92 uses a wood, metal, and Pulse Core layup that gives it a noticeably calm and planted ride. The metal adds torsional stiffness and damping, so the ski stays composed when you push it through firm snow and higher speeds, while the wood keeps the flex lively enough for everyday cruising. Nordica’s Pulse Core technology is aimed at reducing swing weight without sacrificing strength, which helps the ski feel quicker underfoot than its stable build might suggest.
Combined with a full sidewall build, the result is a ski that transmits edge pressure predictably. Strong skiers will appreciate the support through the shovel and underfoot, while lighter or more intermediate skiers will still find the flex manageable rather than punishing.
Shape and Rocker Profile
The 92 mm waist is the sweet spot for a frontside-focused all-mountain ski: wide enough to float through soft snow and crud, narrow enough to roll quickly from edge to edge on groomers. Tip and tail rocker shorten the effective edge and make turn initiation easy, while the flat tail provides a solid platform to finish turns and hold a carve.
Widths grow modestly across the size run, from a 120.5 mm tip and 108.5 mm tail at 155 cm to a 123 mm tip and 111 mm tail at 167 cm. Sidecut radii of 15.5 to 16.5 meters keep the ski versatile across short and medium turn shapes without feeling hooky.
Performance on Groomed Terrain
This is where the Santa Ana 92 shines. It is designed for skiers who spend their time on trails, and it delivers powerful, precise turns with a confident edge grip. The metal-reinforced core keeps chatter to a minimum on hardpack, and the rocker profile makes it easy to feather turns when you want to slow things down or scrub speed in a hurry.
At speed, the ski feels stable and trustworthy, encouraging you to tip it over and let the sidecut do the work. The flat tail gives a strong finish to carved turns, and the 92 mm waist rolls edge to edge with enough quickness for tighter, technical lines while remaining smooth in longer arcs.
Versatility and Who It’s For
While the Santa Ana 92 is happiest on groomed runs, its 92 mm waist and rockered tip give it enough versatility to handle soft snow, chopped-up crud, and the occasional powder day without complaint. It is a strong one-ski-quiver candidate for women who ski mostly on piste but want a little extra width for variable conditions.
Intermediate to advanced skiers will get the most out of it: the construction rewards a confident driver but remains forgiving enough for progressing skiers. Lighter skiers may find the 155 cm and 161 cm lengths especially manageable, while stronger, taller skiers will appreciate the 167 cm option.
Bindings and Setup
The Santa Ana 92 is sold flat, with no bindings included, so you’ll need to pair it with a binding of your choice. That’s good news for skiers who have a preferred binding or want to match the setup to their boot and skiing style. Any standard alpine binding in the appropriate brake width for a 92 mm waist will work.
Because the ski is flat-tailed and directional, it pairs well with traditional alpine bindings mounted at the recommended line. Have a qualified shop mount and adjust the bindings to your boot sole length for the best performance and safety.
Pros and Cons
- Pros: Strong edge grip and stability on groomed terrain; damp, composed ride at speed; versatile 92 mm waist; easy turn initiation thanks to tip and tail rocker; solid flat-tail finish for carved turns.
- Cons: Bindings not included; not a dedicated powder ski; metal-reinforced construction may feel firm for lighter or beginner skiers; limited float in deep snow compared with wider options.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Best Use | Downhill skiing |
| Ski Terrain | Groomed |
| Tip Width | 155 cm: 120.5 mm; 161 cm: 122 mm; 167 cm: 123 mm |
| Waist Width | 92 mm |
| Tail Width | 155 cm: 108.5 mm; 161 cm: 110 mm; 167 cm: 111 mm |
| Sidecut Radius | 155 cm: 15.5 m; 161 cm: 16 m; 167 cm: 16.5 m |
| Ski Camber | Tip and tail rocker |
| Tail Type | Flat |
| Core | Wood/metal/Pulse Core |
| Bindings Included | No |
| Boot Sole Compatibility | Bindings not included |
| Gender | Women’s |
| Weight (Pair) | 155 cm: 7 lbs. 2.3 oz.; 161 cm: 7 lbs. 7.9 oz.; 167 cm: 7 lbs. 15 oz. |
Where to Buy
The Nordica Santa Ana 92 skis for women are available at rei.com and evo.com. Both retailers carry the current season model and list the full size range, from 155 cm through 167 cm. Availability and pricing can vary by size and season, so check each site for stock and any bundle or mounting options. Buying from a reputable retailer also gives you access to return policies and expert support to help confirm the right length for your height, weight, and skiing ability.
Final Verdict
The Nordica Santa Ana 92 is a well-rounded women’s all-mountain ski that leans toward frontside performance. Its stable wood/metal/Pulse Core construction and 92 mm waist deliver powerful, precise turns and confidence on groomed trails, while tip and tail rocker keep it forgiving and easy to steer. It is not the ski for deep powder days or skiers who want a soft, ultra-forgiving flex, and you’ll need to budget for bindings. But for intermediate and advanced women who spend most of their time on piste and want a dependable, damp, and lively ski that can handle the occasional soft-snow detour, the Santa Ana 92 is an excellent choice.
