Nordica Unleashed 106 CA Skis Review
The Nordica Unleashed 106 CA Skis are playful powder seekers built for skiers who view the entire mountain as a playground. With a surfy, responsive feel in soft snow, trees, and poppy terrain, these skis blend a lightweight wood core with carbon stringers for lively energy without the heft of metal. The Freeride Flow Shape pairs early rise tips and tails with camber underfoot, encouraging effortless smears, slashy turns, and quick transitions. Whether you’re floating through deep powder, threading tight glades, or carving groomers on the way back to the lift, the Unleashed 106 CA delivers a fun-first freeride experience.
Tech Specs (At a Glance)
- Waist Width: 106 millimeters
- Ski Camber: Tip and tail rocker with camber underfoot
- Core: Light performance wood core with carbon stringers
- Sidecut Radius: 14.7 m (157 cm) to 17.7 m (178 cm)
- Weight (Pair): 6 lbs. 14 oz. (157 cm) to 7 lbs. 15 oz. (178 cm)
Freeride Flow Shape for Effortless Play
The Nordica Unleashed 106 CA features the brand’s Freeride Flow Shape, which blends a carefully calculated rocker profile with a tip and tail shape designed to cater to your style, your snow, and your speed. Early rise tips and tails combined with camber underfoot create a platform that encourages effortless smears, slashy turns, and poppy transitions. This shape keeps the ski surfy and loose in soft snow while maintaining enough edge grip underfoot to rail groomers and navigate variable terrain with confidence.
Carbon-Infused Wood Core
At the heart of the Unleashed 106 CA is a light performance wood core paired with carbon stringers. This construction delivers lively rebound and an energetic feel without the weight of metal, making the ski quick and nimble underfoot. The carbon adds a responsive pop that rewards aggressive input while keeping swing weight low for easier spins, quicker pivots, and less fatigue on long days. It’s a setup that feels lively in the trees and playful in the air, yet remains stable enough for charging when the snow gets tracked out.
True Tip Technology for Maneuverability
Nordica’s True Tip technology increases playfulness and maneuverability by trimming the amount of heavy ABS plastic in the tips and extending the lightweight wood cores into this area. This reduces swing weight at the extremities, which translates to quicker turn initiation, easier smearing, and a more responsive feel when you’re threading tight glades or popping off natural features. The result is a ski that feels light and agile in the air and effortless to pivot in soft snow, all while maintaining durability where it matters.
Performance in Soft Snow, Trees, and Poppy Terrain
Built for skiers who see the mountains as untapped potential for fun, the Unleashed 106 CA shines in soft snow, trees, and poppy terrain. Whether you’re floating through deep powder, threading tight glades, or finding your own path in the backcountry, these skis match your style with responsive, surfy freedom. The 106 mm waist provides ample float on powder days while remaining versatile enough for groomed runs, and the partial twin tail makes it easy to switch from forward to fakie or land switch after a cliff drop. It’s a playful freeride ski that doesn’t punish you for wanting to have fun.
Versatility Across the Mountain
While the Unleashed 106 CA is squarely aimed at soft snow and freeride fun, it’s no one-trick pony. The camber underfoot provides reliable edge hold on groomers, so traversing back to the lift or carving early-morning corduroy remains enjoyable. The sidecut radius ranges from 14.7 meters at 157 cm to 17.7 meters at 178 cm, offering turn shapes that suit a variety of skiing styles. From powder laps to tree runs to park-adjacent poppy terrain, this ski adapts to how you want to ski the mountain, making it a strong choice for the skier who wants one playful setup for a wide range of conditions.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Surfy and responsive in soft snow, trees, and poppy terrain
- Lightweight carbon and wood core construction delivers lively energy without metal weight
- True Tip technology improves maneuverability and reduces swing weight
- Versatile 106 mm waist handles powder and groomers alike
- Partial twin tail makes switch landings and freestyle riding easy
Cons:
- Bindings not included, adding to overall cost
- May lack the dampness and stability of metal-laminate skis for high-speed charging in variable snow
- Not ideal for hardpack-focused skiers or pure carving pursuits
Technical Specifications
| Specification | 157 cm | 164 cm | 171 cm | 178 cm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tip Width | 134.5 mm | 135.5 mm | 136.5 mm | 137.5 mm |
| Waist Width | 106 mm | 106 mm | 106 mm | 106 mm |
| Tail Width | 123.5 mm | 124.5 mm | 125.5 mm | 126.5 mm |
| Sidecut Radius | 14.7 m | 15.7 m | 16.7 m | 17.7 m |
| Weight (Pair) | 6 lbs. 14 oz. | 7 lbs. 3 oz. | 7 lbs. 9.3 oz. | 7 lbs. 15 oz. |
| Ski Camber | Tip and tail rocker with camber underfoot | |||
| Tail Type | Partial Twin | |||
| Core | Wood with carbon stringers | |||
| Bindings Included | No | |||
| Gender | Unisex | |||
| Ski Terrain | Groomed and powder | |||
Where to Buy
The Nordica Unleashed 106 CA Skis are available at REI.com and evo.com, two trusted retailers known for their extensive selection of outdoor gear and expert customer service. Both retailers carry multiple sizes ranging from 157 cm to 178 cm, so you can dial in the right length for your height, weight, and skiing style. Purchasing from either retailer gives you access to detailed product information, customer reviews, and return policies that make buying skis online easier than ever. Be sure to check both sites for current pricing, availability, and any seasonal promotions before making your purchase.
Final Verdict
The Nordica Unleashed 106 CA Skis are an excellent choice for skiers who prioritize fun, playfulness, and versatility across the mountain. The carbon-infused wood core and True Tip technology keep the ski light and maneuverable, while the Freeride Flow Shape delivers the surfy, responsive feel that powder hounds and tree skiers crave. It’s not the dampest or most charge-oriented ski in the freeride category, but that’s not what it’s built for. If you want a playful ski that floats in powder, slashes through trees, pops off natural features, and still holds its own on groomers, the Unleashed 106 CA is a compelling option worth serious consideration.
