Nordica Enforcer Pro Review
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
This Product
Nordica Enforcer Pro | |||||
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Awards | Best for Big Lines | Best Overall Powder Ski | Best Bang for the Buck | ||
Price | $899 List | $1,299 List | $799 List $829.00 at Evo | $749 List | $899.95 at Evo Compare at 2 sellers |
Overall Score | |||||
Star Rating | |||||
Bottom Line | Powerful, burly powder ski that is strong enough to handle the unexpected | The Alchemist DPS is one of the most impressive powder-specific skis we've ridden in a long time | This ski floats well enough for freeride and holds steady on big-mountain lines | Tears through big-mountain lines and smashes through chop as well as it floats | The Pescado is well-named, these planks float and slash like a surfboard |
Rating Categories | Nordica Enforcer Pro | DPS Alchemist Lotus... | Moment Wildcat | Volkl Confession | Line Pescado |
Float (25%) | |||||
Stability at Speed (20%) | |||||
Playfulness (20%) | |||||
Crud (20%) | |||||
Carving (10%) | |||||
Versatility (5%) | |||||
Specs | Nordica Enforcer Pro | DPS Alchemist Lotus... | Moment Wildcat | Volkl Confession | Line Pescado |
Waist Width (mm) | 115 | 124 | 116 | 117 | 125 |
Rocker | Tip and tail rocker | Tip and tail rocker | Mustache rocker | Tip and tail rocker | Tip Early Rise-Camber-Tail Early Rise |
Available Lengths (cm) | 191 | 180, 185, 191 | 174, 184, 190 | 179, 186, 193 | 180 |
Shape | 143-115-132 mm | 151-124-133 mm | 141-116-131 mm | 144-117-133 mm | 158-125-147 mm |
Radius (m) | 21.5 m | 23 m | 25 m | 21.2 m | 19 m |
Weight Per Pair | 10.3 lbs | 9.3 lbs | 9.45 lbs | 9.92 lbs | 8.6 lbs |
Core Material | Poplar, beech, balsa | Aspen | Wood (aspen, pine) | Wood, titanal bands (torsional multilayer) | Wood |
Tested length (cm) | 191 | 191 | 184 | 179 | 180 |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Enforcer Pro comes only in a 191cm option. It is Nordica's widest ski at 115 underfoot and is arguably the only powder-specific ski they offer. We're stoked to get this model in the lineup because, at the moment, it's one of the only powder skis on the market that uses two layers of metal to get the job done. Call us old-fashioned, but we tend to think that this kind of layup and more traditional camber perform impressively across the board.
Performance Comparison
Float
Compared to girthier skis like the DPS Lotus Alchemist or Line Pescado, the Enforcer isn't quite as floaty. But it still earns itself a title as a true-to-form powder ski. Due to its lesser surface area, this ski doesn't pivot or pop quite like something you might use exclusively as your heli-assisted, epic-deep blower boards. However, that doesn't preclude the Enforcer from the powder category. In fact, we feel that it is a very capable ski in soft snow.
We've only skied the Enforcer inbounds and in average winter storms this season. So we've yet to experience how they ski in truly legendary snowpack. But so far, we've been impressed by its ability to glide and initiate turns in fresh snow. With a moderate rocker profile, it leans more onto the all-mountain side of the spectrum. However, it still seems appropriate to rank this as a powder ski.
Stability at Speed
Almost everything about this ski lends itself supreme dampness when ripping high-speed maneuvers down the fall line. From its full-fledged sidewall to the dual-titanal sheets, this burly snow missile is quick to inspire confidence and power through snow at top-end speeds. While some skiers may find a speed limit for their particular weight or skill level, our testers were impressed by the Enforcer's ability to remain stable at high velocity.
Though it's a hefty ski, the Enforcer Pro is quite maneuverable amid a variety of terrain and snow surfaces. It's not so stiff that it's out-of-reach for someone who wouldn't immediately identify with the ambiguous Pro schtick. But it does have a burly construction with aggressive flex that at times operates more like an all-mountain ripper than a powder ski. That said, it powers through high-speed run outs and variable snow surfaces with the best of 'em.
Playfulness
Playfulness is, of course, a subjective category. Though, if you employ words like butter or dub-cork-whatever in your vocabulary, then you might find these skis to be a little old school for your taste.
The Enforcer series is a beacon for those looking for decidedly directional skis that prefer moving quickly down the fall line versus pivoting and popping. If your idea of fun includes lateral movement and aggressive turn shapes, then you'll be right at home on the Enforcer Pro.
Crud
When bombing through depleted bowls and refrozen snow layers, metal is most certainly your friend. And with two full layers of titanal, the Enforcer provides unmatched dampness for such, and beyond. The only contender that came close was the Volkl Confession, which didn't feel as responsive as the Enforcer.
Most of the time we've spent on these skis was during early-season, inbounds pow days in the Sierra — classic parameters for heavily-tracked soft snow that soon becomes heavy or hard as the temps fluctuate. Even during the character-building days of icy bumps and low-tide flat landings, the Enforcer provided a comfortable and intuitive ride. Not everyone would agree that a powder ski should also be a crud-buster, but we're stoked with how this one held up to the highly-variable inbounds powder pursuits.
Carving
The Enforcer Pro's layup is reminiscent of a true alpine carver. Which is not surprising when you consider these skis were pressed by factory-engineered machines in the heart of the Tyrolean Alps. In line with that alpine heritage, the Enforcers are remarkably intuitive when it comes to carving. They flex into turns with soft initiation and maintain solid edge hold. Whether icy or sun-baked, this ski doesn't like to let go.
When compared to other skis in the lineup, the Enforcer has a distinct edge. It has both higher and thicker edges than the Moment Wildcat and the Atomic Backland Bent Chetler. Chunky edges combined with a good amount of camber and decent effective edge make the Enforcer a responsive, reliable carver. It has impressive lateral action, especially when you consider that it's 115 underfoot.
Versatility
This is undoubtedly the most versatile ski in our powder ski lineup. Perhaps the Enforcer's only weakness is that it doesn't have enough beam to provide float like purist powder skis, i.e., the Line Pescado or DPS Alchemist Lotus. But it excelled in nearly every other way. Even for a Pro model, we think this ski is very approachable and intuitive regardless of where you take it. Intermediate to expert level skiers will enjoy the Enforcer in 90% of the weather or conditions you'd expect to find in a season.
Best Application
Because of its unmatched versatility and composure in crud, we feel confident claiming that this is one of the best in-bounds powder skis you can buy. Though it would still perform well out-of-bounds or on technical alpine routes, it's too heavy to work for backcountry use, unless you're a masochist. In that case, go for it.
Value
With an MSRP of $899, the enforcer is a fairly affordable ski and a decent value. Typically, longstanding ski manufacturers can produce high-quality skis at scale without sacrificing the integrity of materials and offering them at a much more economical price point. Nordica is a prime example of this advantage.
Conclusion
The Nordica Enforcer Pro is an uncompromising workhorse. It was difficult to find a situation where it wasn't cool, calm and collected. Though we expected it to be a fairly demanding model, this ski was remarkably easy to drive, and it managed to provide reliable performance on a variety of surfaces. Weekend warriors and devout dirtbags alike will have a blast on the Enforcer Pro. But they'd better be ready to go fast and get reckless.
Other Versions
Though Nordica only offers the Pro model at the 191cm length, the Enforcer series has a variety of different widths that ascribe to the same general profile and layup. The Enforcer Pro is the fattest at 115, but they also come in 110, 100, and 93 mm widths.