2023 Nordica Enforcer 88

For true all-mountain skiing on the advanced and expert levels, it's hard to overlook the Nordica Enforcer 88. We've been blessed with this ski for a few years now, and are stoked it's returning unchanged but for graphics in 2023. Built with Nordica's full wood core and two sheets of metal, the skis also get the Carbon Chassis that stiffens the ski without adding weight. As a result, this is the most torsionally stiff and grippy of the Enforcer skis, all the while retaining the more freeride-oriented roots of the wider Enforcer skis. In the 186 cm length, the skis generate a 17.5-meter turn radius, but in a lot of ways it feels a bit longer than that, mostly due to the rocker profile and taper shape. It's not really hooky or grabby, and while that means it's not the most carveable 88 out there on the hill, it's certainly one of the floatiest and best in crud and chop. We talk a lot about the 88's and their ability to really do it all in a versatile format, and this ski is one of the prime examples of how that works out in the right way.

Bob St.Pierre skis (and owns) the 186, and finds it to be the right length. For lower scores, Bob gives it a 2 out of 5 for forgiveness and a 3 out of 5 for flotation. The stiffness of the ski certainly brings that forgiveness score down. A high score of 5 out of 5 for stability is a nice complement to the low forgiveness score. 4’s run the rest of the table, highlighting the well-rounded nature of the ski. He calls it a “Ripping ski. This thing is stiff, responsive, damp, stable, and agile. It's got the personality of a freeride ski but in the body of a racer. When you put it on edge, you will know that it's going to go. It pulls you into the turn dynamically, and releases with a ton of energy. It's right up there with the Brahmas and Kendos of the world in terms of on-trail performance but actually has a bit of an edge in the bumps, powder, and trees over those other skis as it does have the wider pedigree to work off of.” Marcus Shakun also calls the 186 “just right” and notes that the Enforcer 88 “Might be one of the more playful, but powerful 88 skis. Surprisingly versatile ski even in the chopped up deep corn. Cuts right through and with full confidence. It’s a powerful ski and the more you give the more you get out of it. Has a playful pop to it. Quick edge to edge and has no problem holding a high speed long turn. Advance athletic skiers to experts that like a playful quick all mountain ski. A ski that rules all over the mountain and is no slouch in any category.” Marcus, like Bob, also had a 5 out of 5 for stability, and also 5’s for torsional stiffness and edge hold—two very important categories for front side performance.

Nate Gardner was pretty generous with his 5’s, as the highest-possible score ran the table on his card. Coming from a high-level PSIA participant, this is no small thing. As another 6’3 skier, Nate found the 186 to be a good size, calling it a “Super playful ski. As comfortable in a short turn as it is when you let it rip. Just bounces around like a trampoline, but complete grip when you need it.” The range of ability in the turns does make a lot of sense here, as the ski’s able to vary its shape and style based on the whim of the skier. That said, the more technically proficient the skier, the broader the range. Another PSIA brethren, Joshua Matta, had mainly 4’s on his scorecard, with a lone 3 for quickness/maneuverability. Once he moved the binding a bit back on the track, he seemed to have a better time: “Mount point too far forward, but once moved back solid mid fat. Stable enough, quick enough, floaty for its waist width, really good edge grip but the kendo for me was still more fun.” There’s no shortage of comparisons with this ski, as it sits squarely at the forefront of a competitive ~90 mm all-mountain ski field.

One of the interesting things about the Enforcer 88 is the blend of power and playfulness. It’s a stiff ski, to be sure, but it has the freeride personality, so that lends to more fun and enjoyment versus something like the Brahma, which is a bit more business-like. Either way you look at it, the Enforcer line is one to be reckoned with, and the 88 is a hard-charging, high-performer that knows no bounds.