2023 Stockli Nela 88

The 2023 Stockli Nela 88 gets a graphics recharge this year, but remains the same amazingly precise and versatile all-mountain ski that we’ve seen and loved in the past. You could make a strong argument for skis in the ~88 mm underfoot zone to be the ultimate one-ski quivers, and we wouldn’t say you’re wrong, especially for skiers who spend most of their time on trail. Built with a wood core, two sheets of metal, and two layers of fiberglass, these skis have a strong build to them. The titec topsheet does a fantastic job of getting your input and energy from the boot to the edge, since the metal topsheet is a very direct connection of the skier to the snow. In the 160 cm length, the skis generate a 15-meter turn radius, which is on the shorter side, but isn’t quite the slalom-esque arc of a more dedicated short-turner. Additionally, the 160 comes in at 1550 grams per ski, so for having multiple sheets of metal, the Nela 88 is surprisingly light. The combination of short turn, light weight, and precise build gives the Nela 88 a unique place in the all-mountain category, and our testers continue to rave about the snow feel, damping properties, and overall character of these top-shelf skis.

Micheline Lemay found the 160 cm test length to be just right. We’re seeing a whole lot of 5’s on her scorecard—all of them, in fact, except for a 4 for flotation. This high baseline average of scoring is typically indicative of a strong overall ski. Micheline notes that “This ski was perfect for today! I loved it!!!” The triple exclamation point really hammers home that these Nela 88’s are quite impressive. Susan Dorn calls the 160 cm length “ok,” so I assume that means it skied true to length for her. She scored the ski 4’s out of 5 for overall impression, versatility, forgiveness, playfulness, stability, and flotation. Susan notes that the Nela 88 is “smooth...easy to turn, holds on hard stuff, and floats in crud.” I believe that’s about all you can ask out of a ski, and it’s nice that Susan is picking up on these personality characteristics of the ski.

Kerry Douglas Pearce states that the 160 is a “good length. I would go up in size slightly and recommend sizing up based on ability.” Kerry had a top score of 5 out of 5 for overall impression, with 4’s running the table the rest of the way. It’s nice when you expect a ski to perform and behave at a consistently high-level, and then it comes through in the feedback and scoring as well. “The Nela 88s were easy to carve from edge to edge and felt great making any size turn. They also transitioned well from firm corduroy to softer crud. They'd be easy to maneuver in the trees and bumps and have enough float to hold up well in powder too. The best all-mountain skis are wide enough for powder, yet narrow enough to hold a turn on the hard pack and these did just that. Function aside, they're also works of art aesthetically and an added bonus; their shiny silver top sheet promises not to clash with what you're wearing😊." The middle-ground is what Kerry is highlighting here, and that’s certainly a hallmark of what Stockli is trying to do with the Nela 88.

Supremely versatile, light, fun, and pretty easy to use, the 2023 Stockli Nela 88 is a fantastic option for advanced and expert skiers who are looking for a well-rounded ski at the top-end of the performance and precision spectrum.  The quality justifies the cost with a ski like this.