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Nordica Enforcer Pro Review

A strong powder ski that is capable of powering through any conditions
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Nordica Enforcer Pro Review
Credit: Evo
Price:  $899 List
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Manufacturer:   Nordica
By Rob Woodworth ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Jan 12, 2019
81
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#2 of 6
  • Float - 25% 7.0
  • Stability at Speed - 20% 9.0
  • Playfulness - 20% 6.0
  • Crud - 20% 10.0
  • Carving - 10% 9.0
  • Versatility - 5% 9.0

Our Verdict

Nordica no longer makes the Enforcer Pro.
REASONS TO BUY
Powerful
Damp
Ready to get rowdy
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
Less maneuverable at low speeds
Unchanged for the 18/19 season, the Enforcer Pro is the big-hoss powder board in Nordica's freeski lineup. The Enforcer collection features a solid wood core sandwiched between two sheets of metal with a layer of ultralight carbon pre-preg on top. It caters to advanced skiers who prefer high speeds, steep lines, and aggressive movement across the fall line. The Enforcer Pro is Nordica's widest option at 115mm underfoot, but it still boasts the unparalleled stiffness and edge-reliability that you would expect from a true factory-pressed alpine ski. Taking a departure from the ultra-light, hybrid material trend, Nordica has stepped up to fill the seemingly forgotten niche of full-on metal powder ski. The result is a rare combination of floatation and power that will destroy anything in its path. While the Pro moniker might suggest it is a bit unyielding, we found it to be quite intuitive in a variety of conditions. Don't get us wrong, the enforcer is no pushover, and we felt it fitting to award it our Top Pick for Big Lines.

Compare to Similar Products

 
nordica enforcer pro
Awards Top Pick Award
Best for Big Lines
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Powder Ski
Best Buy Award
Best Bang for the Buck
  
Price $899 List$1,299 List$799 List
$829.00 at Evo
$749 List$899.95 at Evo
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Bottom Line Powerful, burly powder ski that is strong enough to handle the unexpectedThe Alchemist DPS is one of the most impressive powder-specific skis we've ridden in a long timeThis ski floats well enough for freeride and holds steady on big-mountain linesTears through big-mountain lines and smashes through chop as well as it floatsThe 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%)
7.0
10.0
8.0
7.0
10.0
Stability at Speed (20%)
9.0
8.0
7.0
8.0
5.0
Playfulness (20%)
6.0
8.0
10.0
6.0
8.0
Crud (20%)
10.0
7.0
7.0
9.0
7.0
Carving (10%)
9.0
8.0
7.0
9.0
5.0
Versatility (5%)
9.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
6.0
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


nordica enforcer pro - while it prefers high speeds and steep lines, the enforcer pro is...
While it prefers high speeds and steep lines, the Enforcer Pro is still very capable in deep snow.
Credit: Tyler Tasker

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.

nordica enforcer pro - the enforcer pro has great strength and edge hold even when the...
The Enforcer Pro has great strength and edge hold even when the conditions are less-than-forgiving.
Credit: Tyler Tasker

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.

nordica enforcer pro - the enforcer pro is maybe not as stunty as other skis like the...
The Enforcer Pro is maybe not as stunty as other skis like the Backland Bent Chetler or Wildcat. But it is certainly capable of getting rowdy.
Credit: Tyler Tasker

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.

nordica enforcer pro - even when crusty or re-frozen, the enforcer pro is able to power...
Even when crusty or re-frozen, the Enforcer Pro is able to power through nearly any snow surface you might encounter on the mountain.
Credit: Tyler Tasker

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.

nordica enforcer pro - with a history in world cup racing, it's not surprising that nordica...
With a history in World Cup racing, it's not surprising that Nordica produced a big-mountain ski that can also carve some GS-radius turns.
Credit: Tyler Tasker

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.

nordica enforcer pro - the enforcer pro is a stable and reliable ski that inspires...
The Enforcer Pro is a stable and reliable ski that inspires confidence even during hairy descents. It may not be as light as some people would hope for, but it certainly won't let you down when you're nuking down a tracked-out chute
Credit: Tyler Tasker

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.

nordica enforcer pro - you'll love the enforcer pro if you prefer high speeds, stiff flex...
You'll love the Enforcer Pro if you prefer high speeds, stiff flex, and powerful turn shapes.
Credit: Tyler Tasker

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.

Rob Woodworth