Nordica Santa Ana 88 Unlimited Review: A Light Touring Ski With Real Downhill Manners

Introduction

The Nordica Santa Ana 88 Unlimited takes a shape plenty of skiers already know and rebuilds it for uphill travel. Nordica removed the metal from the construction and used carbon in its place, which brings the weight down while keeping the same footprint as the rest of the Santa Ana line.

At 88 mm underfoot, this is the narrowest model in the Unlimited series. That narrower waist keeps the ski versatile: it can serve as a dedicated touring ski, and it can just as easily be a light, playful downhill ski for resort days. It is not a one-job design.

Who This Ski Is For

Three groups get the most out of this ski. The first is touring skiers who want a strong uphill ski that still has real downhill performance rather than a compromise in one direction. The second is anyone who already likes the Santa Ana and wants that same build and feel without the metal. The third is resort skiers who simply want a light, maneuverable ski for lift-served days.

Because the ski is not limited to touring, it can cover both sides of the sport for a skier who wants one pair to do more than one thing. That flexibility is the core of the pitch here.

The narrow 88 mm platform also means the ski leans toward versatility rather than specialization. It is designed to handle a broad range of days rather than chase maximum float, which makes it a sensible pick for skiers whose seasons include both skin tracks and lift lines.

Main Strengths

The strengths of this ski come from three places: the wood core, the carbon layup that replaces metal, and a shape that puts camber underfoot with rocker and taper in the tips.

A Lightweight Wood Core With Carbon Instead of Metal

Nordica builds this ski around a light performance wood core. The result is a maneuverable, lively, and approachable flex and feel rather than something demanding or punishing. Where the rest of the Santa Ana family uses metal, the Unlimited series has no metal at all and relies on carbon instead.

That carbon layup reduces weight while maximizing performance, so the ski stays light without feeling like a noodle. For a touring ski, that combination matters: less mass on the way up, and enough structure underfoot to stay composed on the way down.

The lightweight core is also what makes the ski forgiving enough for a wide range of skiers. It rewards an easy, relaxed input rather than requiring an aggressive, high-energy style to come alive.

True Tip LT and a Lively, Approachable Flex

Nordica also uses a construction called True Tip LT. Instead of cutting the wood core short in the tips and filling that space with plastic, the wood core is extended out into the tips.

The practical benefit is better overall maneuverability in the tips. The ski feels more connected and easier to steer, particularly when you are making quick adjustments on uneven or unfamiliar terrain.

Directional Shape, Camber, and a Flat Tail

The profile is a frontside directional shape. There is camber underfoot, a decent amount of rocker in the tips along with taper, and a fairly flat directional tail.

That flat tail delivers a lot of power, and the ski is strong underfoot without being heavy. Meanwhile the rocker and taper in the tips add playfulness and float where you want them. In the 151 cm length, the turning radius comes in at 13 meters, which sits at the shorter end of the spectrum and produces a snappy, lively edge-to-edge feel.

Uphill and Downhill Performance

On the way up, this is a genuinely strong touring option. The light construction and the metal-free build keep the ski easy to move, which is exactly what you want when you are putting in vertical.

On the way down, the ski delivers strong performance for its weight class. It carries the character of the Santa Ana, so skiers who already like that family will recognize the feel, just in a lighter package. The carbon build keeps it lively and responsive instead of damp and dead, and the flat tail holds power when you load it.

That balance is the reason the ski works as a resort option too. It is approachable, fun, and easy to maneuver, which makes it a pleasant daily driver for lift-served skiing rather than a pure backcountry tool you only pull out for specific objectives.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The 88 mm waist is the narrowest in the Unlimited series. That is a strength for versatility and edge-to-edge quickness, but it does mean this is not the ski to choose if maximum float in deep snow is your priority.

Because the Unlimited build has no metal, the feel differs from a metal Santa Ana. Skiers who specifically want the damp, planted character that metal brings should recognize that this ski trades some of that for lower weight and a livelier ride.

The 13 meter turning radius in the 151 cm length is on the shorter end. That gives the ski a snappy, energetic feel, which suits quick turns and tighter terrain better than long, high-speed arcs.

Finally, consider how you split your days. If most of your skiing is lift-served and you want one ski that can also tour, this works. If you need a dedicated deep-snow touring platform, a narrower waist is not the shape you are looking for.

Buying Advice

Buy this ski if you want a light, maneuverable touring ski with genuine downhill performance, or if you like the Santa Ana shape and want to keep that feel while dropping the metal. It also makes sense for a resort skier who wants something easygoing and playful rather than heavy and demanding.

Before you commit, think about the two or three things that matter most to you: how much float you need, how much you value a metal feel versus low weight, and how tight you like your turns. If your answers point toward versatility, light weight, and a lively ride, this ski lines up well with that brief.

Conclusion

The Nordica Santa Ana 88 Unlimited is an approachable, fun ski that mimics the Santa Ana many skiers already know and love, but with carbon in place of metal. That swap makes it a great touring option with strong downhill performance, and it doubles as a light, maneuverable downhill ski for the resort. For skiers who want one pair to cover both, it is a compelling place to start.