2027 Nordica Unleashed 120

The 2027 Nordica Unleashed 120 is a carry forward model for this year, as it was kind of a mid-season release last year. As the widest of the Unleashed series, it’s also the most differently shaped and styled. These skis feature gratuitous rocker, dramatic taper, and a flatter overall profile that allows for smoother and driftier skiing in deeper snow. While this is a more specific ski than any others in the Unleashed line, it’s also the most adept when it comes to bottomless snow and big mountain peaks. It may not be a daily ski for most skiers, but it’s a very fun tool to have in the toolbox for those days when you just can’t feel the bottom. If you’re an aggressive freeride skier, this is a must-ski.

We’re getting an innovative construction with the Unleashed 120. Built with Nordica’s lighter wood core consisting of poplar, this ski gets at least a smidge of mobility. Do not confuse it for a light ski, though, as the overall mass and volume contribute to the sturdy and secure overall feel. Instead of a Terrain Specific Metal laminate like we see in Unleashed and Santa Ana skis, the wide 120 uses Drift Lock technology, consisting of more of a titanal band that runs the whole contact point in the ski through the middle. It’s a bit wider than the binding platform and creates a smooth and stable nature for higher speeds and more aggressive skiing without adding too much metal to the mix—this is, after all, a freeride ski with a very progressive shape. We also see the use of carbon stringers in the core to boost the energy. The metal does not extend into the rocker profile of the ski.

Nordica calls the overall footprint of this ski a Freeride Flow Shape. The footprint of these skis lends to when we look at that shape; it has long and gradual rocker profile. The tips lift off the snow earlier compared to the 114’s profile and have an overall flatter shape. The tail of the 120 gets a very similar treatment—long and gradual rocker achieving the same result as in the tip. This makes the ski less of an all-mountain twin and more directional freeride. Adding this rocker profile to the ski while also taking some camber out achieved what the athletes were looking for—essentially Nordica’s take on a modern freeride ski. In the 190 cm length, the ski uses measurements of 150/120/139 mm to generate a longer 22.3-meter turn radius—nice and drifty for those big mountain lines. We found this ski to operate quite well at high speeds and in longer turns.

Due to the width, this is more of a specialty ski. This is not a ski for everyone. Nor is it for passive skiers. It likes speed, deep snow, and steep terrain. While there’s some small application for a ski like this around here in Vermont, the lion’s share of this ski’s preference lies in bigger mountains and deeper conditions. If you’re a high-level freeride skier who finds themselves in open zones and soft snow, this is a fantastic option.