Nordica Enforcer 94 Review

This new Enforcer 94 is stable at speed and more versatile than ever in powder. Nordica fans will appreciate this ski's added composure in soft snow while still enjoying the familiar blend of absorption and pop the Enforcer line is well known for. However, significant updates to the rear end have altered the overall feel of this ski, and many of our testers had to work much harder to derive the same consistent performance they were accustomed to with previous models.

Performance Comparison

Stability at Speed

The Enforcer line is dependable for its power and rigidity, and Nordica fans will appreciate that this has not changed with the updated Enforcer 94. The new Energy 2 TI Pulse Core technology introduces elastomer into the wood core, which supplements two layers of titanal to absorb and dissipate vibrations at speed. On wide-open groomers, our testers regularly pushed their own speed limits through medium to long-radius carves.

Carving Ability

Nordica strategically pulled some metal away from the ski edge to promote smoother edge engagement and retention while carving. Designed to work in conjunction with the new Energy 2 Ti Pulse Core, it's one reason that the updated Enforcer 94 is a bit lighter than previous models. Our testers described it as having a distinctive “smushy” feel – some testers said it felt similar to depressing a push tab. The result is a ski that still holds its edge grip, just not quite as confidently as before.

Although it's not an official award, Nordica wins the best tune right out of the wrapper. It takes confidence to push your outside ski “all the way out there” to drive a powerful carve, and your level of confidence is influenced by the quality of the tune on your edges. Despite the fact that it comes with silky-smooth, razor-sharp edges, the Enforcer 94 still does not carve as well as previous versions – a metric where this ski dominated previously.

Powder Performance

In spite of losses to its carving ability, the Enforcer 94 is noticeably better at skiing powder. Previous years' models were notorious submarines in deep snow – one tester described them as “bricks in powder.” Although the updated ski still tends to stay submerged and carve through powder, the new True undoubtedly helps it maintain its composure. This design removes just enough ABS plastic from the tip to highlight the liveliness of the woodcore along more of the length of the ski. The front of this ski flexes much better, and we agree that the Enforcer 94 now feels “lighter, smoother, and more maneuverable through powder.”

Crud Performance

The power and dependability of the Enforcer 94 in crud have suffered greatly with the new design updates. Nordica's New Shape Tail design increased the rocker depth in the tail (the rocker points are well-defined by red areas on the base graphics). Our testers agree that the Enforcer 94 still has the same familiar “hook-up and plow” sensation at the start of each turn. However, the new tail shape consistently broke away too early to effectively finish turns. Testers felt like they needed to have exactly the right blend of movements to maintain stability in the tail while transitioning to the next turn. Ultimately, this new tail shape lacks the same control across varied terrain and in variable snow conditions.

Terrain Playfulness

Nordica's Enforcer line has always been heavier and a bit more traditional in terms of rocker and camber profile and sidecut. Even though it may not seem like a big change, the pronounced rocker profile of the New Shape Tail is much more of a freeride-oriented shape. One would think that this new design would elevate the playfulness of this ski. However, our test team agreed that this change in design made the Enforcer 94 downright terrifying to navigate through moguls, trees, and undulating terrain. During turn transitions, the tails would often break free too early, catch, and then collide with each other. This issue was the most obvious when we tried to make quick, playful turns through trees and bumps, and all-to-often led to a “big yikes” moment for our testers.

Should You Buy the Nordica Enforcer 94?

This test was a bit of a rollercoaster – the updated Enforcer 94 improves in areas where it has historically struggled and faltered in other areas where it historically excelled. Heavier, stronger skiers will continue to appreciate its combination of heft and stability that allows them to crank big turns with lots of speed. Even though its carving ability has diminished, it's still worth considering this ski if you enjoy skiing wide-open groomers. With improved powder performance, this ski is more versatile than before, and it's actually pretty fun to ski wide-open bowls. Just don't expect the same crud-busting ability that the Enforcer 94 was traditionally known for.

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