2026 Nordica Unleashed 98 CA First Impressions & On Snow Review

Is addition by subtraction really a thing? Whether in real life or in the ski world, it’s impressive when something can get better by removing key ingredients. The 2026 Nordica Unleashed 98 CA is a prime example of this theory coming to fruition. It’s no secret that we’ve been fans of the Unleashed 98 over the past few years, and the Soul Rider 87 and 97 prior to that. This new Unleashed 98 CA takes the shape of the Ti version but removed the metal, making it flex more like the Soul Rider and come in at a lower price point. In our experience so far, there’s a lot to be said about a wood core twin tip with a great shape, and this new 98 CA is a shining example. When we hit a price point of just under $600, this seems like a winning format for sure.

While the “CA” in the name would lead you to believe that this ski contains carbon, that does not seem to be the case. We’re dealing with Nordica’s performance wood core with poplar and beech and fiberglass laminates. That’s about it. Simplicity in construction, especially the removal of metal, actually increases the pep and energy of the ski. By relying on the cambered profile and longer effective edge, the Unleashed 98 CA brings top shelf performance into a more moderate price point range. The light poplar plays well against the sturdier wood, making for clean, smooth, and energetic power. We don’t have a stated or measured weight on the ski yet, but it feels like one terrain-specific metal laminate lighter than the Unleashed 98 Ti. Probably around 1800 grams in the 180. The flex is slightly softer than the Ti version, allowing skiers to hit the higher edge angles with less effort. This makes sense not only for more accomplished and expert skiers, but since the ski is offered at a better value price point, intermediate and progressing skiers will also have access to those rounder arcs.

At a Glance:

2026 Nordica Unleashed 98 CA Skis

In terms of shape and profile, everything we’ve said about the 98 Ti carries into the CA. At 98 mm underfoot, the 180 cm generates an 18.1-meter turn radius, just like it does in the Ti. We get the same rocker profile, taper shape, and long effective edge—three things that set the Unleashed apart from other ~100 mm twins of the industry. This shape simply allows the ski to carve better, cleaner, smoother, and rounder turns than its competitors. While that does come at the expense of soft snow playfulness and dexterity, the lighter weight offers a balance to this slight deficiency. At least versus the Enforcer, the Unleashed has always had a longer effective edge and less rocker, putting a bit more of a tenacious feel in the entry and exit. Mostly, this is a nod to the ski’s traditional freestyle heritage as it allows for increased pop on takeoffs and added security carving into lips and jumps. With a slightly higher camber profile than Enforcer as well, there’s some more energy built into the ski, leading to an upscale feel.

On snow, and this is tough to talk about without viewing through the lens of the 98 Ti, the 98 CA is an absolute blast. The initiation phase is easy and simple, the underfoot range is stout and grippy, and the release point of the turn is totally predictable and intuitive. There doesn’t seem to be too much of a limit with this ski that the Ti also doesn’t have—maybe just a bit off the top in terms of icy and choppy conditions, but this CA is still quite sturdy and stable in a carved turn. When you get off trail, and into the bumps and trees, the CA starts to really shine. While an Atomic Bent 100 will be more fun, and slightly easier to maneuver in the trees due to the surfier shape, the Unleashed 98 CA works just fine. The marginally softer flex, especially versus the Ti version, allows you to push through the snow with greater ease and efficiency. These skis are easy to use in a soft snow format, regardless of terrain. In the Ti version, the 98 could do bumps just fine, but it didn’t excel. The CA has a leg up in this regard, with more of a snaky character—easier to point down the zipper lines and more mobile in tighter bumps and spots. We didn’t find it quite as poised and polished as the new Dynastar M-Free 100, but it’s very close.

Overall, this is a very successful endeavor, taking a proven and wonderful shape and removing the metal. It’s just like when companies took metal out of existing skis and marketed them as hybrid/touring skis but better. The way Nordica is going about it makes a whole lot of sense. By attacking their competition from a price point perspective, and offering a dynamite ski in terms of performance, the Nordica Unleashed 98 CA should be a clear-cut winner in shops and online this upcoming year. If you lamented the vanishing of the Soul Rider, make sure to check out the all-new Unleashed 98 CA. It doesn’t seem like it’s going to eat into the Ti sales or market, but there is an interesting conversation as to who this ski is for. We’ve found that budget conscious skiers who are looking for pep and playfulness will gravitate to the CA while those with more aggressive and somewhat more expensive aspirations will find the Ti a strong contender.