Nordica Santa Ana 92 Review: A Livelier Women's All-Mountain Ski

Introduction

Nordica has refreshed the Santa Ana collection for 2025, and the Santa Ana 92 steps in for the Santa Ana 93 it replaces. The width shifts only slightly, and the construction changes are measured rather than dramatic, so the new ski lands very close to the previous generation in overall performance. That continuity is worth noting: this is a women’s all-mountain ski built around power, stability, and vibration damping, and it delivers those qualities at a lighter weight figure than the men’s Enforcer models that carry an extra sheet of metal.

What has changed is the feel. The Santa Ana 92 comes across as livelier and quicker than earlier versions of the ski, which makes it a more versatile choice for skiers who want composure underfoot without a sluggish ride.

Who This Ski Is For

This is a ski for advanced and expert women who spend the bulk of their time on groomed runs but want one pair that can handle the rest of the mountain. The combination of a 92 mm waist, a single sheet of terrain-specific metal, and a flex that leans slightly stiffer than average suits confident skiers who like to drive a ski rather than nurse it through a turn.

It is also a sensible pick for anyone assembling a one-ski resort quiver. The ski holds up in firmer conditions, keeps enough smoothness for softer snow, and does not demand constant attention.

Weight belongs in that conversation too. At 155 cm, the Santa Ana 92 measured 1630 g, which is lighter than Nordica’s men’s Enforcer models but not featherweight against the broader field of women’s all-mountain skis. If anything, it tips slightly toward the heavier side of that spectrum, and the stability on offer reflects that choice.

Main Strengths

Construction and Core Updates

The 2025 build starts with a new wood core sourced from a different supplier, which is a change in supply rather than a reinvention of the ski. Nordica also fits its Pulse Core, a rubberised material placed underfoot, and applies what the brand calls terrain-specific metal.

That metal layout is the most interesting part of the story. Where the men’s Enforcer line uses two sheets of metal, the Santa Ana runs a single sheet that is cut into full width in the shovel, tapers through the middle of the ski, returns to full width underfoot, tapers again, and finishes at full width in the tail. It is a construction Nordica now shares across its unisex Unleashed twin-tip line, so it is no longer a women’s-specific build. The result is a ski that produces power and stability without the extra heft of a second metal sheet.

Stability, Edge Grip, and Damping

Stability, torsional stiffness, and edge grip are the qualities the Santa Ana line has consistently delivered, and the 92 continues that pattern. The flex pattern is similar to before, leaning a little stiffer than most women’s all-mountain skis while still keeping a welcome amount of suppleness, so it does not feel punishing when you are cruising.

The shaping is classic Nordica. There is a modest amount of tip rocker and a smooth early taper that is deliberately not aggressive, with a similar treatment in the tail. As you tip the ski on edge, more of the sidecut engages, which produces a consistent and long effective edge that only grows as your edge angle increases. That is a genuinely useful trait for skiers who like to finish turns with authority.

Quickness and Playfulness

This is where the Santa Ana 92 surprised. Power, damping, and stability are expected here, but quickness, forgiveness, and playfulness are not always part of the package. Across every evaluation criterion, nothing scored below seven, which points to a genuinely well-rounded ski rather than one that excels in a single narrow area.

On snow, the ski feels quick, agile, and snappy edge to edge, and it has clearly been livened up compared with previous generations without giving up the power or vibration damping underneath. The 92 and the wider 97 in particular come across as the more agile options in the collection.

Things to Consider Before Buying

Weight is the first thing to weigh up. Against other women’s all-mountain skis, the Santa Ana 92 is not the lightest option, and it can feel like it sits slightly above the middle of that range. If low swing weight is your top priority, this is not the ski chasing that goal, though it remains lighter than Nordica’s men’s equivalents.

The flex also leans stiffer than average. There is enough suppleness to keep it comfortable, but lighter or less aggressive skiers may find a softer women’s all-mountain ski easier to manage.

Finally, the 2025 model is an incremental update rather than a redesign. The width moves a millimetre from the Santa Ana 93, the core supplier changed, and the shaping is only slightly different, so anyone on a recent Santa Ana should expect a familiar ride rather than a transformation.

Buying Advice

Choose the Santa Ana 92 if you want a women’s all-mountain ski that prioritises stability, edge grip, and damping while still feeling quick and lively from turn to turn. It suits advanced and expert skiers who ski mostly on groomed terrain, enjoy a ski with some backbone, and want one pair that can stretch into softer snow and mixed conditions.

Skiers who mostly chase powder, tour, or prefer a very light and forgiving ride are better served looking elsewhere in the category. For everyone in between, this is a well-rounded resort ski with a broad usable range, and the updated feel makes it easier to enjoy at moderate speeds than the raw performance numbers might suggest. If you are stepping up from a softer intermediate ski, expect a short adjustment period while you get used to the stiffer flex and the way the edge engages as you increase angle.

Conclusion

The Nordica Santa Ana 92 is a careful evolution of a proven women’s all-mountain design. A new wood core, Pulse Core damping, and a single tapered sheet of terrain-specific metal keep the power and stability intact, while the 2025 tweaks make the ski noticeably quicker and more playful than before. For advanced and expert skiers who want one dependable pair for resort skiing, it is an easy recommendation to shortlist.