Review: Nordica Enforcer 99

Nordica Enforcer 99 Specs

• Size skied: 185cm
• Lengths available: 167cm, 173 cm, 179cm, 185cm, 191cm
• Sidecut: 133cm – 99cm – 121cm
• Radius: 18.5m (185cm)
• Profile: directional rocker, camber underfoot
• Weight: 2160g (185cm)

Shape, Flex, and Construction

I rode the Enforcer 99 in the 185 cm length, and found it to be a great size for my 6’0” frame. With subtle tip and tail rocker lines and one of the stiffest tails I’ve ever ridden, it skis fairly long. But given the ski’s intentions (high-speed shredding) the extra length feels appropriate. Nordica offers a full size run: 167, 173, 179, 185, and 191. The 185cm version is built around a medium-length 18.5m turning radius. Those change by half-meter increments based on size.

These are some of the stiffest skis on the market right now, and require a lot of energy from their pilot and room to run for them to be fun. However, that makes these scary fast, and stupidly fun at high speeds.

The recommended mount point is fairly traditional (directional and set back pretty far from center). I did mess around with going slightly more forward but found that the incredibly stiff tail felt overwhelming, so I was happiest with the recommended mount.

On-Snow Performance

There was a really fun game I learned to enjoy playing on the Enforcer 99, best played in the afternoons of a resort pow day, when all the good lines are tracked out and there’s little to no fresh snow left. The game was basically finding the answer to the question of “how fast can I ski through the crud?” I liked the game because I can’t say I ever found a definitive answer - the ski kept begging for more.

The ski has a serious need for speed, but provides one of the quietest, smoothest rides I’ve ever experienced. On hardpack, the edge grip is astounding. There’s absolutely zero chatter, even when it’s late in the day and the “groomers” are really just sheets of ice. Sure, that requires some diligence from a tuning standpoint, but I think the ski’s double metal-laminate and wood/elastomer core construction really adds to the vibe here. It just eats up inconsistencies in the snow, and works better the faster you go and the more force you put into each turn. The 99 mm waist width might seem a bit wide for a dedicated hard-snow ski, but it doesn’t feel sluggish when transitioning edges, and provides a really solid platform for landings and when straightlining.

That incredibly smooth ride also translates to ripping crud and tracked-out snow. Yes, it likes to go fast, but what really stood out is its ability to make consistent turns really anywhere on a slope without washing out or feeling wandery. “Locked in” is a great way to describe what it feels like sharing a turn with this ski. It’s your friend and it has your back, but it’s definitely the one in charge. Find pretty much any slope on the mountain and try carving turns down it like you would a smooth groomer - the Enforcer 99 will let you.

A big part of the redesign of the ski involved adding some more tail rocker, bridging the gap between the nearly twin-tipped Enforcer Free and the old flat-tailed Enforcer 100. That one subtle design change allows the ski to be smeared and pivoted with much less effort - something I find very necessary when things get steep, variable, and bumpy. I wouldn’t quite say it makes the ski feel more playful, but it definitely allowed me to release the tail mid-turn to scrub speed, change direction, and maneuver through variable terrain like steep bumped-out chutes, trees, or rock bands.

The biggest compromise that a ski of the Enforcer 99’s caliber makes is a lack of playfulness. It’s not jibby, it’s not poppy, and the significant swing weight makes it not very easy to maneuver in the air. However, for many riders that might not really be a compromise, especially if your ideal type of skiing involves ripping as fast as you can day in and day out and mostly staying on the ground.

Unfortunately, the relatively skinny 99mm waist width and heavyweight construction don’t lend themselves well to floatation in powder. Find something wider and softer, and you’ll be much happier on deep days.

Comparisons

Nordica's über-stiff Enforcer 99 certainly breaks the mold of most all-mountain skis, offering closer to race-level performance in a wider waist width. However, compared to similarly-intentioned skis like the Dynastar M-Pro 99, the Rossignol Sender Soul 102, or even the Salomon QST 100, there are some worthy comparisons.

Dynastar's M-Pro and Rossignol's Sender Soul 102 skis offer a similarly stiff and damp ride, with a much lighter weight, giving them a more nimble character at the cost of high-speed power. I would hesitate to call the M-Pro and Sender Soul particularly playful, but they certainly seem more agile and "fun" than the Enforcer 99.

Interestingly, the QST 100 offers hard-snow performance that rivals the Enforcer 99, but at a much lower cost to entry and not much of a loss of top-end power and speed. Sure, the QST 100 is a noodle compared to the 2x4-stiff Enforcer 99, but it accomplishes the end goal of predictable high-speed all-conditions skiing just the same. The Enforcer 99 is stiff and serious and might better cater to ex-racers, but the QST 100 is the everypersons ski. Continuing with the car analogy, it's like comparing a Porsche 911 (the Enforcer 99) to a souped-up VW GTI (the QST 100)–unless you're driving on a closed-course track, you'll get the same levels of acceleration and handling.

What Type of Skier Is The Nordica Enforcer 99 Best For?

Most days of the season, if you’re purely skiing inbounds, would be great days on this ski. The Enforcer 99 is no one-trick pony, and it excels on hardpack, in variable snow, and in crud. It might also encourage you to not skip leg day at the gym next time.