Ski Reviews

2023-2024 Nordica Steadfast 85 DC FDT, 179 cm

Reviewer Username: LukeKoppa

Reviewer Height: 5’8″

Reviewer Weight: 155 lbs

Reviewer Experience Level: Expert

DAYS USED: 1 days

TEST LOCATIONS: Crested Butte Mountain Resort, CO

TEST TERRAIN: Firm groomers | Softer groomers

TEST CONDITIONS: Pretty firm snow | Softer, but not deep snow

PERFORMANCE RATINGS

(0 = Terrible, 5 = Okay, 10 = Outstanding)

OVERALL IMPRESSION: 8/10

FORGIVENESS: 6/10

MANEUVERABILITY (How Loose / Easy to Pivot & Smear?): 3/10

MANEUVERABILITY (How Quick / Low is the Swing Weight?): 2/10

STABILITY: 7/10

SUSPENSION: 7/10

EDGE HOLD: 8/10

PLAYFULNESS: 1/10

PLAYFULNESS (Open Ended):

it’s a carving ski that’s not playful at all, aside from it being fairly energetic

SKI LENGTH: It felt just right (179 cm length tested)

THIS SKI’S IDEAL TERRAIN: Firm groomers | Softer groomers

THIS SKI’S IDEAL SNOW CONDITIONS: Pretty firm snow | Softer, but not deep snow

WHAT TYPE(S) OF SKIER DO YOU IMAGINE WILL GET ALONG BEST WITH THIS SKI?

People who want a piste-specific ski that doesn’t require tons of effort / aggression to bend and get on edge, but that still offers nice suspension and edge hold.

ARE THERE SIMILAR PRODUCTS YOU’VE SKIED THAT YOU CLEARLY PREFER? IF SO, WHY?

The Head Supershape e-Titan and K2 Disruption 82Ti probably offer better edge hold and high-speed composure for aggressive, experienced skiers, but the Steadfast 85 feels more accessible than both.

PLEASE ELABORATE ON ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO SAY ABOUT THIS SKI. FEEL FREE TO GO INTO DETAIL!

After my first day, this just strikes me as a carving ski that’s really easy to get along with. It didn’t feel excessively eager to cut across the fall line, but was still pretty engaging on moderate-angle slopes. It offers very nice suspension, is pretty stable, and seems like it provides good edge hold, but it doesn’t require that I drive it hard with perfect technique to achieve all those things. Will have more to say with more time on it…