Ski: 2022-2023 Nordica Enforcer Unlimited 104, 186 cm
Test Location: Crested Butte, Colorado
Days Skied: 8
Available Lengths: 165, 172, 179, 186, 191 cm
Blister’s Measured Tip-to-Tail Length (straight-tape pull): 184.4 cm
Stated Weight Per Ski: 1760 grams
Blister’s Measured Weight per Ski: 1690 & 1695 grams
Stated Dimensions: 135-104-124 mm
Blister’s Measured Dimensions: 136.1-103.1-126.7 mm
Stated Sidecut Radius (186 cm): 18.5 meters
Measured Tip & Tail Splay (ski decambered): 66.5 mm / 41 mm
Measured Traditional Camber Underfoot: 5 mm
Core Materials: balsa/beech + titanal binding reinforcement + carbon & fiberglass laminate
Base: sintered
Factory Recommended Mount Point: -9 cm from center; 83.2 cm from tail
Boots / Bindings: Fischer Transalp Pro; Salomon S/Lab MTN Summit; Tecnica Zero G Tour Pro; Tecnica Cochise 130 / Marker Kingpin M-Werks
Intro
Back in November of 2021, Nordica announced two new collections of skis: the Enforcer Unlimited and Santa Ana Unlimited. These new Unlimited skis took the resort-oriented Enforcer and Santa Ana platforms and cut out a whole bunch of weight to make them more uphill-friendly.
We’ve been skiing the Enforcer Unlimited 104 (and Santa Ana Unlimited 93) since the very start of the past season, and now that I’ve skied the Enforcer Unlimited 104 in everything from early-season powder to late-season slush, it’s time to discuss how Nordica’s first line of touring-oriented skis compares to the rest of the market.
What Nordica says about the Enforcer Unlimited 104
“Indulge your thirst for adventure with Nordica’s Enforcer Unlimited 104. Inspired by our legendary Enforcer collection, this all-mountain touring ski is at home exploring the resort and helping you earn your turns. Especially easy to ski, the Enforcer Unlimited 104’s lightweight construction creates a playful and stable ride that maximizes efficiency on the way up and the ride down. The ski’s wide waist provides additional stability and plenty of floatation in deep snow. And to boost confidence and maneuverability in variable conditions, it features an early rise tip and tail rocker with traditional camber underfoot. No matter how you define adventure, the Enforcer Unlimited 104 will help you pursue it.”
Shape / Rocker Profile
The Enforcer 104 Unlimited features the same shape and rocker profile as the heavier Enforcer 104 Free, with pretty minimal tip and tail taper, a fairly average tip rocker line, and slightly more tail rocker and tail splay than most directional skis in its class.
Flex Pattern
Here’s how we’d characterize the flex pattern of the Enforcer Unlimited 104:
Tips: 6.5
Shovels: 7-8
In Front of Toe Piece: 8.5-9.5
Underfoot: 9.5
Behind the Heel Piece: 9.5-8.5
Tails: 8-7
Compared to the standard Enforcer 104 Free, the Enforcer Unlimted 104 is a touch softer at the very ends of the tip and tail, yet a bit stiffer around the midsection.
Sidecut Radius
Same as the original, the Enforcer Unlimited 104 has a stated sidecut radius of 18.5 meters for the 186 cm length we’ve been testing. That’s about average, if not slightly on the shorter end of the spectrum for a touring ski around this width.
Mount Point
At -9 cm from true center, the Enforcer Unlimited 104’s recommended mount point is pretty traditional / rearward.
Weight
This is the main thing that’s wildly different between the Enforcer Unlimited 104 and Enforcer 104 Free. For the 186 cm lengths we have, there’s a 500+ gram difference per ski — that’s a lot.
At about 1700 grams per ski for the 186 cm length, the Enforcer Unlimited 104 is right in line with many touring skis around the same width.
For reference, here are a number of our measured weights (per ski in grams) for some notable skis. Keep in mind the length differences to try to keep things apples-to-apples.
1337 & 1347 Movement Alp Tracks 106, 185 cm (20/21–21/22)
1362 & 1376 Scott Superguide 95, 178 cm (20/21–21/22)
1446 & 1447 Line Vision 98, 179 cm (19/20–21/22)
1469 & 1477 K2 Wayback 96, 177 cm (18/19–21/22)
1476 & 1490 K2 Wayback 106, 179 cm (18/19–21/22)
1477 & 1481 Majesty Superwolf, 178 cm (20/21–21/22)
1489 & 1545 G3 FINDr 102, 179 cm (19/20–21/22)
1543 & 1565 Salomon MTN Explore 95, 184 cm (16/17–21/22)
1556 & 1559 DPS Pagoda Tour 100 RP, 184 cm (20/21–21/22)
1577 & 1605 Scott Superguide Freetour, 185 cm (20/21–21/22)
1605 & 1630 Line Vision 108, 183 cm (19/20–21/22)
1606 & 1641 Blizzard Zero G 105, 188 cm (19/20–21/22)
1637 & 1647 Ronin 108, 185 cm
1642 & 1651 Renoun Citadel 106, 185 cm (19/20–21/22)
1671 & 1675 Weston Summit, 186 cm (20/21–21/22)
1690 & 1695 Nordica Enforcer Unlimited 104, 186 cm (22/23)
1705 & 1708 Wagner Summit 105, 185 cm (21/22)
1725 & 1774 Faction Agent 3.0, 180 cm (20/21–21/22)
1736 & 1767 4FRNT Raven, 184 cm (16/17–21/22)
1787 & 1793 Fauna Pioneer, 184 cm
1807 & 1840 Atomic Bent 100, 188 cm (18/19–22/23)
1818 & 1823 Folsom Cash 106 Carbon, 184 cm (19/20–21/22)
1839 & 1840 WNDR Alpine Vital 100, cambered, 183 cm (20/21–21/22)
Now, onto how the Enforcer Unlimited 104 performs on snow.
FULL REVIEW
Uphill Performance & Skins
Luke Koppa (5’8”, 155 lbs / 173 cm, 70 kg): Not much to report here — the Enforcer Unlimited 104 goes uphill just fine. I never had any notable issues with lack of grip on the skin track, Nordica’s skins stayed on the ski’s tails, and the ski’s tail rocker profile isn’t so dramatic that it’s difficult to stick the tails into the snow during transitions.
On that note, I think the Nordica-branded skins for the Enforcer Unlimited 104 are quite good overall. They’re made by Kohla and feature a mohair / nylon mix plush with Kohla’s standard tip / tail hardware. They’re fairly thin and packable, and while they definitely don’t glide as well as my favorite Pomoca Race Pro 2.0, they seem pretty comparable to the Pomoca Climb 2.0 in terms of grip and glide, but are slightly more packable. They also do an above-average job of minimizing the amount of moisture absorbed into the plush during warm spring days. As for the adhesive, it’s not quite as easy to rip as Pomoca’s, but notably easier than Black Diamond and G3 adhesive.
Powder
My first turns on the Enforcer Unlimited 104 were actually my very first turns of this season, way back in November. We had gotten a couple feet of early-season snow at that point, along with some wind, which meant we were skiing everything from wind-scoured crust to deep, low-density, faceted turns in the trees.
Overall, the Enforcer Unlimited 104 handled these conditions as well or better than I would expect of a 104mm-wide ski. Even when slowly maneuvering through bottomless-feeling facets while trying to avoid partially buried obstacles, it remained easy to pivot. I also appreciated that, with my poor early-season technique and the funky conditions, the Enforcer Unlimited 104 wasn’t very punishing. It’s not the easiest, most forgiving ski (especially on firmer snow; more on that later), but in soft snow, it’s pretty easy to release and feels like it has a fairly big sweet spot, allowing for both a traditional, forward stance and a more centered one.
More tapered, more rockered skis like the 4FRNT Raven and Moment Wildcat Tour 108 offer notably looser, more slarve-friendly rides in deep snow, but I’d still put the Enforcer Unlimited 104 on the more maneuverable end of the spectrum for a touring ski around this width. And while I’d prefer something wider for really deep mid-winter days in tight trees, the Enforcer Unlimited 104 offers enough flotation to keep me happy throughout most of the winter season in Colorado.
Spring Corn
On the other end of this season, I’ve also recently spent several days searching for soft spring corn on the Enforcer Unlimited 104, and like most skis, it’s a whole lot of fun in those conditions. As in fresh pow, the Enforcer Unlimited 104’s tails remain easy to release in corn, so it’s pretty easy to slash and slarve in these conditions, too. However, in ideal corn where you can still feel a supportive base underneath the melted snow, you can also take advantage of the Enforcer Unlimited 104’s solid carving performance.
Just like the standard Enforcer 104 Free, the Enforcer Unlimited 104 is pretty quick to initiate carved turns, can be forced into a fairly wide variety of turn shapes, and offers very good edge hold. However, being a whole lot lighter and with a very different core construction, the Unlimited version feels much more energetic and snappy, which encouraged me to drive it hard through each turn and get some nice rebound at the exit of each turn.
There are skis that are more engaging at slower speeds and on lower-angle slopes (e.g., Line Vision 108 and Weston Summit), but there are also others that feel a bit more inclined to make more drawn-out, longer turns at lower edge angles (e.g., WNDR Alpine Vital 100). The Enforcer Unlimited 104 falls somewhere in the middle, which is probably a good place for many skiers.
Firm, Smooth Snow
As I just touched on, the Enforcer Unlimited 104 feels very similar to the original Enforcer 104 Free, just a lot lighter. So on firm, smooth snow, the Enforcer Unlimited 104 is still very fun to carve, like the heavier version, but it’s obviously a lot less damp / planted.
When we first got the Enforcer Unlimited 104, it felt very “locked-in” on firm snow; while it was easy to maneuver in soft snow, it was really difficult to release from a carved turn on firmer conditions. Checking the base and edges, it was pretty flat, though there didn’t appear to be much of a base bevel on the edges near and past the contact points at the tips and tails, so I took it to the good folks at Butte & Co to get a consistent 1° base bevel along the whole ski. After that, the Enforcer Unlimited 104 still felt pretty inclined to be carving on edge on firm snow, rather than slarving / pivoting turns, but it was much more manageable (a bit of detuning at the tips and tails also helped). After that tune tweak, it was much easier to manipulate the Enforcer Unlimited 104 into a wider variety of turn shapes and styles on firm snow, and it made for a much more predictable ride overall.
On firm snow, the Enforcer Unlimited 104 feels most at home in more open terrain where you can carve some proper turns, whereas it feels a bit more demanding in tight terrain where you have to pivot and slide your turns more. While I’d say it sits on the more maneuverable end of the spectrum in soft snow, it feels notably more inclined to make bigger turns on firm snow. That said, one of the upsides is that, for how relatively surfy it feels in soft conditions, the Enforcer Unlimited 104 still offers really good edge hold when conditions are less ideal. Its flex pattern also feels quite strong, which meant I could drive it quite hard when I felt like it, though it could also feel a bit punishing if I got backseat while trying to make my way through tight trees with firm snow.
When skinning up the resort for quick afternoon laps and heading back down on groomers, I had the most fun on the Enforcer Unlimited 104 when I was using a pretty stiff AT boot like the Tecnica Cochise 130 or Zero G Tour Pro, whereas I didn’t feel like I was totally getting the most out of the ski with a softer, lighter boot like the Fischer Transalp Pro or Salomon S/Lab MTN Summit. I felt fine in those softer boots in soft conditions, but a stiffer boot definitely made it easier to bend the Enforcer Unlimited 104 when carving and felt like a better pairing with its strong-feeling tail when I ended up in the backseat, since it could be difficult to recover and get back over the shovels in a boot with a fairly soft rearward flex.
Firm, Rough Snow
Firm, inconsistent conditions like sastrugi or refrozen spring slush are never very fun on lightweight skis, and the Enforcer Unlimited 104 is no exception. I have to ski these conditions in a pretty slow and conservative manner on the Enforcer Unlimited 104 to feel in control, as is the case with most skis around the same weight.
Now, given what I just touched on in the previous section, taking this approach on the Enforcer Unlimited 104 requires a bit more commitment and better technique than some of the softer, more rockered, and/or more tapered skis in its class, such as the Line Vision 108, DPS Pagoda Tour 100 RP, and Weston Summit. Those skis aren’t as stable as the Enforcer Unlimited 104 when making big, fast turns in consistent conditions like powder or corn, but they are easier to pivot around when conditions are really rough. And that said, the Enforcer Unlimited 104 isn’t as demanding at slow speeds as some of the stronger, more traditional skis in this class like the Atomic Backland 107 and Blizzard Zero G 105.
As far as suspension / damping go, I’d say the Enforcer Unlimited 104 is about average for its weight. Like most 1600–1700 gram skis, the Enforcer Unlimited 104 feels quite harsh on firm, bumpy snow, and the standard Enforcer 104 Free is in an entirely different league when it comes to suspension on firm snow. Personally, I have no desire to regularly ski the Enforcer Unlimited 104 or any similarly light ski in typical, firm resort conditions. But for a touring ski, I think the Enforcer Unlimited 104’s weight strikes a nice balance of feeling quite light for its size on the skin track, while not being so light that it feels incapable of skiing aggressively when conditions are fairly forgiving.
Who’s It For?
The Enforcer Unlimited 104 could potentially work for a lot of people, so I think it’s easier to start with who should be looking at other skis. First, if you spend a lot of time in tight terrain, low-angle slopes, and/or just want to prioritize maneuverability and an easy ride on the way down, you’ve got some better options, such as the Line Vision series, DPS Pagoda Tour 100 RP, and Weston Summit. While the Enforcer Unlimited 104 is quite maneuverable in soft snow, it can feel like a bit of a handful at slow speeds, especially if you generally prefer softer, more playful skis. The Enforcer Unlimited 104 also isn’t the absolute lightest ski in its class, so if you prioritize low weight over stability and suspension, you’ve got some lighter (and narrower) alternatives.
But given its pretty good flotation and maneuverability in soft snow, strong flex pattern, and solid edge hold, the Enforcer Unlimited 104 has the potential to make lots of backcountry skiers happy. It’s a particularly good option for those considering some of the more traditional, demanding touring skis like the Blizzard Zero G 105 and Scott Superguide Freetour because they prefer a stronger ski with good edge hold, but who are worried those skis might feel a bit too demanding in weird snow conditions and in tight terrain.
Bottom Line
The Nordica Enforcer Unlimited 104 shares a lot in common with the original Enforcer 104 Free, it just ditches a whole lot of weight — and the upsides and downsides that come with it.
While the Enforcer Unlimited 104 definitely doesn’t magically offer the same suspension and stability of the far heavier Enforcer 104 Free, the Unlimited version does bring that ski’s versatility to a much more touring-friendly package. It blurs the lines between very playful, easy-going touring skis and the more directional, more demanding ones. The result is a touring ski that feels capable in big, steep terrain, but with a more maneuverable ride than most touring skis that feel similarly strong and stable.
Deep Dive Comparisons
Become a Blister Member or Deep Dive subscriber to check out our Deep Dive comparisons of the Enforcer Unlimited 104 to see how it compares to the Volkl Blaze 106, Faction Agent 3.0, Line Vision 108, Atomic Backland 107, 4FRNT Raven, Movement Alp Tracks 106, Blizzard Zero G 105, WNDR Alpine Vital 100, Folsom Cash 106 Carbon, Moment Wildcat Tour 108, DPS Pagoda Tour 100 RP, Ronin 108, and Weston Summit.
How does this ski compare to Renoun Citadel, 4Frnt Raven, and Volkl Blaze 106?
How does the ski compare to the Ripstick Tour 104?
I just bought these skis with the intention of pairing them with the ATK raider 12 bindings with the Freeride spacer. Do you think this would be a good combo as a touring set up (with the occasional in bounds day) that skis downhill well?
I have the enforcer 100s as my dedicated resort ski and absolutely love it. If the enforcer unlimited is anywhere near as good as the enforcer 100, I think it will be amazing.
We will make sure to include those comparisons in the Deep Dive of the Enforcer Unlimited 104, or maybe also in a Flash Review if it seems relevant.
How does this compare to the new Hustle 10?
Hey guys, as Mani has mentioned above, also keen to hear how this compares to the Hustle 10. Especially the firm, rough snow and crud performance. Cheers!
I also want to hear about this ski compared to the hustle 10.
I loved my demo on the hustle and am considering it for a daily driver touring ski in the Wasatch for next year. I have enjoyed both the rustler 10 and the enforcer 104 free, but haven’t been able to get on the enforcer unlimited, so I am hoping you guys can shed some light on this.
Any feedback on how this ski compares to the Blizzard Zero G 105 and the Black Crows Corvus Freebird?
how does unlimited compare to norse the enduro?
I bought Nordica Enforcer Unlimited 104 (172 cm) last winter and I use them mainly for touring in set with ATK Freerider 14. Generally speaking I am very happy with this set in normal conditions and in powder but I have problems with them on firm snow/ice – similar issue has already been reported in the review above:
“When we first got the Enforcer Unlimited 104, it felt very “locked-in” on firm snow; while it was easy to maneuver in soft snow, it was really difficult to release from a carved turn on firmer conditions”
I keep them tuned at: Base Bevel 1°, side Bevel 2° which is the factory recommended. In addition, I have 2 other pairs of ski – one carving and one wider freeride set and all of them are with the same edge angles but I do not have any issues with them – only with the Nordica… Has anyone had the same problem… any suggestions how to solve it?