Last year Nordica changed the construction of the Santa Ana 100, and while it didn’t fiddle with its shape or baseline, the components of its laminated lay-up were altered in every respect. Its 2017 balsa core was beefed up with poplar and beech and sandwiched between two .4mm Titanal laminates. The Santa Ana metamorphosed from the original, mellowed-out surfer girl into hard-edged gal that won’t take any crap from crud.

The great advantage of metal in what’s intended primarily as an off-trail ski is how it behaves in the heavy, harbor-chop crud that can deflect models without Titanal. To keep the Ti laminates from being over-powering, the tapered tail allows the end of the turn to smear and the well-rockered shovel would rather be a beat late into the turn than hook up too soon. The increase in torsional rigidity the Ti provides underfoot creates a strong platform that requires a technical skier’s skills to drive to the high edge where it excels.

“Great all-around ski,” marvels Jolee from Footloose. “A little too much ski for hard pack, but for a woman who charges it’s terrific. Handles great off groomed snow.” The Santa Ana 100’s high Finesse score is due to its tour de force performance as a crud punisher off-piste and not any special fondness for short turns or gentle handling. Were we to receive 100 test cards on the Santa Ana 100, its dominatrix persona would likely materialize in the data.