Nordica ski reviews 2010
Nordica, the "other Kastle," has made rapid progress toward major mainstream brand status over the past several seasons. This year the company dramatically expands the Hot Rods, now mostly known as "HR Pros" and places strong emphasis on freeride models. Nordica also makes available a full spectrum of race skis and frontside carvers, an increasingly rare genre.
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HR 74 xct
Low level groomer-only ski for occasional and casual skiers. We usually recommend renting rather than buying at this level, especially for skiers who plan to pursue technical improvement. More "hatchback" than Hot Rod . . .
Firefox
Thoroughly enjoyable frontside carver for females. Wide performance range, wide skill level suitability. Recommended for serious technical improvement and in the words of one skier, "just plain ripping fun!"
HR Pro Burner
Replaces the Afterburner. Virtually identical, although there were enough performance changes that we publish results of the new test. As we said last year, "Slightly tamed version of the Jet Fuel and an easier ski all around, with relatively little sacrifice at the top end. This is probably the better choice among the two for all but the most aggressive off-piste skiers." In other words, a good choice for intermediate to advanced skiers seeking one of the burgeoning hot breed of "Big Mountain Carvers." The "Pro" designation is a bit ambitious . . .
Jah Love
For new school riders who spend virtually all the time on the backside of truly big mountains, shooting chutes, dropping cliffs and blasting through the untamed at serious speed. Period.
Conquer
Still a powerful all mountain carver for skilled, strong female skiers who ski fast, although a number of skiers opined that it performed better on-piste than off and should not be used as a ski of choice for bumps. Everyone else, see the Victory.
Dead Money
A surprise. Multi-purpose twin that one skier described thus: "The most versatile ski in the Nordica line. Do anything, any day, on any mountain for almost any ability." We'd amend that only to say that there are better hard snow skis from Nordica. Fast skiers may prefer another choice.
