#1 on this list
Santa Ana 97
Nordica
The Nordica Santa Ana 97 is engineered for intermediate to expert women who want a stout, confidence-inspiring all-mountain platform. Designed with an intentional balance of high-speed tracking and off-trail utility, it targets skiers who spend equal time charging down groomed hardpack, navigating chopped-up resort bowls, and working through tight tree corridors. At the core of the Santa Ana 97 is Nordica’s terrain-specific metal layup, which adjusts the width of the Titanal layer to tune torsional stiffness. Paired with a solid wood core and an all-mountain rocker profile, the ski delivers exceptional vibration damping and resolute edge security through variable crust and refrozen slush. When pushed into medium- and long-radius carves, the ski settles cleanly onto its edge with minimal tip chatter, inspiring confidence at elevated speeds. That damp, planted feel comes with trade-offs. The ski demands deliberate input from the driver to initiate tight, low-speed turns, making it less approachable for hesitant novices. While the 97mm waist offers respectable flotation in shallow to moderate powder, its substantial mass makes it noticeably more demanding to flick around in tight bumps compared to lightweight, carbon-dominated rivals. **Highlights** - Terrain-specific Titanal sheet for tuned vibration damping - Resolute edge bite on firm resort pack - Stable 97mm waist width for varied snow surfaces - Directional shape with early-rise tip and tail rocker - Heavy-duty build designed for high-speed tracking **Watch-outs** - Requires active, forward-driving technique to manage - Can feel demanding and heavy in tight moguls
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#2 on this list
Ripstick 94 W
Elan
The Elan Ripstick 94 W targets intermediate through advanced skiers who prioritize maneuverability, lightweight agility, and effortless turn initiation over sheer high-speed dampness. It serves as an approachable all-mountain tool for skiers exploring off-piste bowls and glades without wanting to muscle a heavy metal laminate through every turn. Elan utilizes its proprietary Amphibio profile, featuring dedicated left and right skis with a cambered inside edge for grip and a rockered outside edge for smooth pivoting. Structural carbon rods inserted longitudinally along the lightweight wood core provide decent rebound and torsional stiffness without adding cumbersome swing weight. The resulting ride is lively and playful, slipping easily between quick edge transitions on groomers and responsive pivot turns through tight tree runs. Where the Ripstick 94 W shows limitations is in heavy, frozen debris and high-speed chop. The absence of a full-width Titanal layer means the tips can deflect and chatter when driven aggressively through rutted snow. Skiers who routinely reach top speeds on bulletproof morning hardpack will find that it lacks the damp, locked-in composure of heavier directional models. **Highlights** - Asymmetrical Amphibio profile for quick, clean turn initiation - Carbon rod reinforcements delivering lively pop without metal weight - Intuitive, low-effort handling in tight bumps and trees - Lightweight construction that reduces driver fatigue over long days - Adaptable 94mm waist suits mixed resort conditions **Watch-outs** - Prone to tip deflection in heavy, frozen chop - Lower top-end speed limit on hardpack than metal-laminated skis
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Specs side by side
| Spec | Santa Ana 97 | Ripstick 94 W |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Women's All-Mountain | — |
| Profile | All-Mountain Rocker (Tip and Tail) | — |
| Dimensions | 129-97-117 mm (173 cm) | — |
| Core Materials | Performance Wood with Terrain-Specific Titanal | — |
| Skier Ability | Intermediate to Expert | — |
| Estimated Price | Around $800 | — |
| Waist Width | — | 94 mm |
| Sidecut Dimensions | — | 129-94-109 mm (168 cm) |
| Rocker Profile | — | Amphibio (Asymmetrical Rocker/Camber) |
| Core Material | — | Tubelite Wood Core with Carbon Rods |
| Target Ability | — | Intermediate to Advanced |
| Approximate Price | — | $750 |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
Santa Ana 97
- Exceptional vibration damping and stability through tracked-out crud
- Uncompromising edge hold on firm resort hardpack and icy patches
- Terrain-specific metal tuning delivers high-speed power without deadness
- Sturdy construction built to withstand multiple seasons of heavy resort use
- Demanding swing weight requires active physical effort in tight moguls
- Unforgiving flex profile can punish passive or back-seated skiers
Ripstick 94 W
- Effortless edge-to-edge transitions thanks to the Amphibio profile
- Lightweight construction significantly reduces leg fatigue over long days
- Exceptional agility and quick pivoting through tight trees and moguls
- Energetic rebound out of turns on groomed terrain
- Tips deflect and chatter when driven aggressively through frozen chop
- Lacks the damp, locked-in edge bite of metal-laminated skis on sheer ice
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