23/24 Test Day 17: Nordica and Burton

Earlier this month, we went out to Utah to test some new Nordica 24/25 prototypes. While we can’t say much about them yet, what we can say is that they absolutely rip. Back east, we did some 23/24 testing with them, getting our staff on their updated Enforcers, Santa Anas and Unleashed.

Snow fell all day, with a few inches on top of groomed conditions. Our testers said they could feel corduroy underneath on deeper carves, but the snow was soft and quiet—an ideal little powder day on some gear that we love. 

Softgoods buyer and seasoned tester Tate O’Brien spent her day on the Santa Ana 88 and Santa Ana 93. She described them as “not overly fast but a confident ski in both waist widths.” 

She spent the day in her favorite Holden Snow Bibs and the Berbier Jacket from The North Face. Both have been staple pieces in her outerwear lineup this season, and she loves that they kept her warm and dry all day. 

Our snowboard buyer, Neil Soucy, spent the day testing all Burton gear. Boots, board, bindings, jacket and all. He was on the Burton Family Tree Hometown Hero for most of the day, which he said “has been a consistent go-to for a few seasons now and proved to be the perfect board for the day once again.” The Hometown Hero has "tons of energy and snap [that] made moving through the fresh snow really fun, while still maintaining a gripped-in feel when a turn would sink into a groomed trail underneath.” 

The new Nordica graphics popped on camera and in person on the hill. 

Softgoods buyer, Devon Scovill, loved the new color and graphics on the Santa Ana 98. "The always reliable Santa Ana is easy to ski and fun to play around on with a little fresh snow," she said. From previous testing on this ski, she noted on days when the conditions are faster, she does feel that this ski has a speed limit. 

Boot fitter Joe Riccio spent most of his day on the Nordica Unleashed 98. He said that “for a ski that is supposed to live in a more playful category, it still holds up well in a turn and feels stout enough underfoot to inspire some confidence over some less than desirable terrain.”

Neil was also riding the Burton Step On Genesis bindings paired with the Photon Step On boots. He said the pairing “felt like the perfect balance of responsiveness and comfort." He noted that he doesn't need the stiffest binding ever but does like to feel supported, making this combo feel just right. 

He was also rocking the Burton Cyclic jacket — not a true shell, but he felt it had just the right amount of light lining, perfect for a snowy day. He said “it felt a little cozier than the shell [he's] been wearing but was still lightweight and breathable. The pants to match fit and felt great, and the Gore-Tex was a plus for the snowy conditions on the chairlift.”

For any questions about gear book an appointment to come see us in Boston or contact one of our gear experts!