Ski: 2015-2016 Nordica Enforcer
Available Lengths: 169, 177, 185, and 193cm
Stated Dimensions (mm): 133-100-121
Stated Sidecut Radius:
- 20.5 meters (193cm)
- 18.5 meters (185cm)
- 16.5 meters (177cm)
- 15.5 meters (169cm)
Construction: laminated wood core with 2 sheets of metal
In case you haven’t really kept tabs on what Nordica’s been up to over the last few years, we have, and we won’t lie—we’ve been a little sad about it.
Like a lot of companies (including Rossignol, Volkl, Stöckli, etc.), Nordica has been focusing more on making skis that are “more accessible,” with lighter constructions, softer flex profiles, and more forgiving shapes.
The 2012-2013 season was the last time Nordica had a ski named the Enforcer in their lineup. The previous year (2011-2012), they retired what was effectively the wider version of the Enforcer, the Girish, a kick-ass, aggressive, 110m underfoot, directional ski with a metal-laminate core construction and a very nice, damp feel. (In case you can’t tell, we really liked this ski.)
And though they nixed the Enforcer after the 2012-2013 season, Nordica still offered the 98mm-underfoot Hell & Back in 2013-2014.
We thought the Hell & Back was another great ski. It was relatively quick and nimble, more forgiving than the old Volkl Mantra, but still had a flat, traditional tail that rewarded strong technique with a powerful and energetic feel through a carve.
And then Nordica retired that ski too (sigh) and replaced it with the NRGy 100 this season (essentially a more forgiving Hell & Back with tail rocker and a more tapered shape).
Of course, we are glad that there are accessible, easy skis being built—and there are probably more now (and better ones) than ever in the history of the sport. We just wish it didn’t seem like the rise of the accessible & easy ski didn’t have to mean the simultaneous exctinction of skis that are more demanding but more stable, with a higher speed limit….
But now things might be looking up. For the 2015-2016 season, Nordica is bringing back the Enforcer—at least in name, and perhaps (we hope) in character, too.
The reincarnated Enforcer is a little wider than the old version (100mm underfoot), and now has a touch of tail rocker, but its core is laminated with 2 sheets of metal, and the ski has a very smooth, medium/stiff flex.
The new Enforcer’s shape is more similar to that of the Hell & Back than the NRGy 100. It has a lot of traditional camber underfoot, and a relatively tight sidecut radius (18.5 meters in a 185cm length).
We’re confident that the new Enforcer is going to be a riot on groomers, and we’re looking forward to seeing how that metal-laminate construction feels in variable conditions. It sure seems like the Enforcer will fit right in with other directional all-mountain skis like the new Volkl Mantra and Blizzard Bonafide, and we’re excited to find out what it brings to the table.
Our testing of the Enforcer begins next week…
Update:
You can now see our full review of the Enforcer
Cant wait to see your review. Ive been riding this ski since January and love it!
These tips look pretty similar to the Patron/Helldorado (maybe a little more upcurved?) so will be interested to read if your concerns on this matter apply to the Enforcer as well. Thanks.
I’m curious if it has the same folding problems you guys experienced with other recent metal Nordics such as the patron.
Any thoughts? I felt that they had too much tail and too little shovel at the recommended line. They were a good 3cms in front of the old Enforcers and Cochise of same length (185). still skied well but funky. Ive moved them back and will ski them this weekend.