Stokley Nella 96 Review: A Directional All-Mountain Ski With a Wide Range

Introduction

The Stokley Nella 96 returns for 2023 with the same structure underneath and a graphics refresh on top. The most visible change is the metal top sheet, finished here in a gold tone that reads noticeably richer in person than a spec sheet can suggest. It is not purely cosmetic either. The metal layer works with the ski’s lightweight wood core to move energy from the boot through the binding and into the snow, which is where the Nella 96 earns its high-end feel.

That construction gives the ski a precise, connected character. Inputs travel quickly to the snow, and the feedback that comes back is clean rather than vague. For a ski in this width class, it feels composed rather than nervous.

Who the Stokley Nella 96 Is For

One of the strongest arguments for this ski is how many different skiers can get on it. The range runs from an intermediate, including a progressing intermediate, all the way through to expert skiers, and each of those groups will find something to like.

The reason is straightforward. The Nella 96 is neither too heavy nor too stiff, so a wide spread of skiers can access the sidecut, flex the ski, get it up on edge and carve clean turns. A lighter or less aggressive skier will not feel shut out by the construction, while a stronger skier still gets a platform that responds when pushed.

Main Strengths

At the 164 length, the ski weighs 693 grams. That low weight makes it very maneuverable, and the shovel can be moved around easily and quickly, which is exactly what you want in bumps and trees where decisions happen fast.

The metal top sheet is the other headline. By transferring power from the boot to the binding and then through the ski to the snow, it delivers a high-end sense of precision and performance. The result is a ski that feels accurate underfoot rather than detached.

There is also taper in the shape, which keeps the ski off the snow and makes it smooth in anything fresh or soft. It is not a wildly playful shape, but that taper does add composure when conditions turn variable.

Combine the low weight with the metal layer and you get a ski that is easy to place but still rewarding to drive. That balance is the core of the Nella 96’s appeal.

Shape, Camber, and Turn Character

Underfoot, the profile carries positive camber, and there is not a whole lot of tip rocker. That combination leans the Nella 96 toward an all-mountain format rather than a freeride one. The 96 mm waist gives it soft snow capability, but the shape is not trying to be a dedicated powder tool.

The tail is where the ski’s intent becomes clearest. The widest part of the tail sits very close to the end, which produces a longer effective edge and a smoother carve. There is minimal to zero splay in the back, so the ski stays directional in nature and wants to remain engaged through the turn.

At the 164 length the turn radius is 15.8 meters, which puts it squarely in the mid-range of carves at mid-range speeds. That is where the ski is most comfortable, and it is where you get the highest level of precision and comfort out of it.

One thing to understand before you buy: this tail holds on, and you do have to give it some input. The more energy you put in, the more you get back out. Skiers who prefer to stand on the ski passively will feel less of what it can do.

Performance Across Real-World Conditions

A 96 mm waist sits in the mid-90s range, which is a strong option for a one-ski quiver regardless of where you ski. In a place with sporadic snowfalls and a lot of firm days, the Nella 96 covers both sides of that split without feeling like a compromise.

The same logic applies in an area that gets generous fresh snow. In real-world use you are rarely skiing bottomless snow run after run. You deal with groomers, chopped-up snow, wind-blown patches and a mix of terrain, and that is exactly where this width and profile come into play.

The taper helps here, keeping the ski off the snow and smoothing the ride through anything fresh or soft, while the camber underfoot keeps the edge engaged when the surface firms up. It is a shape that expects variety rather than one perfect day.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The directional tail is the detail most worth thinking through. It holds on well and stays engaged in the carve, but that also means it is not a loose, surfy shape. If you want a ski that releases easily out of the turn, this is a different feel.

The limited tip rocker reinforces that. The profile is more all-mountain than freeride, so a skier chasing deep, untracked days as the primary use case should treat the Nella 96 as a complement rather than a specialist.

It also rewards a driver. Skiers who put energy into the ski get a precise, high-end response; those looking for a ski that does the work on its own will find the tail demands attention. Being aware of the tail shape and how it holds on the snow is the key to enjoying it.

Buying Advice

The clearest way to decide is to start with where you actually ski. If your season is a mix of firm groomed days and occasional soft snow, the mid-90s waist and positive camber underfoot line up well with that reality. If you regularly ski bottomless snow, this is not the shape to build around.

Length choice matters too. The 164 gives a 15.8 meter turn radius and a 693 gram weight, which favors quick maneuvering in bumps and trees and comfortable mid-range carving. If your priority is tight terrain and easy pivot, that combination is worth focusing on.

Finally, consider how you like to ski rather than only where. This is a ski that wants engagement, and skiers who enjoy driving a turn will get the most from it. Stokley’s reputation for quality and precision supports that expectation, and the Nella 96 lives up to it for the right skier.

Conclusion

The Stokley Nella 96 is a directional all-mountain ski with a genuinely broad audience. A lightweight wood core and metal top sheet deliver precise power transfer, the 96 mm waist handles a wide spread of resort conditions, and the tail shape produces a long effective edge that carves smoothly.

It suits intermediates through experts who want one ski for everyday resort skiing, and it rewards skiers who bring energy to the turn. If your days are mostly variable snow, groomers and chopped-up conditions, this is a confident, well-rounded choice worth putting on your shortlist.