2023 Nordica Enforcer 104 Free

The 2023 Nordica Enforcer 104 Free gets a graphics recharge for this year, but remains the same structural ski. Fun, freeridey, and fast, the 2023 Nordica Enforcer 104 Free is one of the coolest skis on the market today. When it came out a few years ago, we knew it'd be an instant winner, and we have not yet been disappointed with our evaluation. These skis continue to impress, as do all of the Enforcer skis, with the 104 as a versatile freeride option for a wide variety of expert skiers. For us easterners, the 104 serves well as a snow-day ski, but it's surprising how well it performs on firmer snow as well. For western skiers, or for those who live in snowier spots, the 104 is a great daily driver/one-ski quiver as it holds up well for both flotation and lower-tide days (or weeks). Built with a wood core and two sheets of metal, these skis hold up to adverse conditions and terrain quite well, and the more dramatic and playful rocker profile allows for fantastic flotation for when the snow gets deep.

Chris McClelland skied the 186, and while he found that to be a good length for him, he noted that he’d like to take a crack at the 191 as well since he’s a pretty tall skier. Chris gave the ski top scores of 5 out of 5 for versatility and overall impression, and an average score of 3 for forgiveness. All other scores were 4’s, so this thing is well-rounded and high-performance in Chris’ mind. He notes that “The Enforcer 104 Free feels like a jack of all trades. It felt good in bumps, on groomers, and in powder. It really felt like this ski could do it all and then some. This is definitely an advanced ski but it has a lot to offer those trying to jump onto a wider platform. It still has that signature enforcer feel for those that like a powerful all mountain ski, but it felt a little looser and more playful in uneven terrain and deeper snow which I loved. What's even better is how this ski feels on edge and in a carve. I felt like I was rocketing through transitions edge to edge and felt planted and stable the whole time. This is an excellent one ski quiver candidate in my opinion and would be great for those who love metal laminate skis but want something wider to tackle more of the mountain.”

Hans von Briesen was also on the 186, and noted it was accurate. A bit lower spread of scores for Hans, with 3’s out of 5 for overall impression, versatility, torsional stiffness, and edge hold. An even lower 2 was given for forgiveness, showing the stiffer side of this freeride ski. 4’s out of 5 for flotation and stability bring the average up a bit for Hans, noting that they “Felt good when more upright on a flatter ski but seems to get knocked around more when in chop on edge.” Marcus Shakun liked his 186, and he scored the 104 Free all 5’s out of 5 with the exception of a 4 for flotation. This is a nice high span of scores here from Marcus. “Playful all-mountain do-it-all ski. Tip it on edge and rip some turns. Point it into the crud and watch it blow through. Great for an active skier that finds themselves anywhere on the mountain in any condition. Soft/damp tip and tail allow for hood pop and energy out of the ski. Hardly a weakness with these skis. They are the skis that make you smile from top to bottom.” We’ve noticed that for years about these skis, and it’s nice to see that those characteristics carry forward into 2023.

For freeride fun and stability, look no further than the 2023 Nordica Enforcer 104 Free. These skis have a tried-and-true shape and profile that allows for fun and progressive skiing, while the construction is more similar to a race-style ski than an actual freeride floater. The combination of attributes makes this ski stand out among a crowded field, while maintaining its own character and pedigree.