Nordica Unleashed 98

2025 Quiv3r Ski Test

An all mountain twin tip with the performance capabilities you’d expect from Noridca.

Image courtesy of Nordica

Construction & Initial Thoughts

The Unleashed 98, on paper, is quite a unique ski. It’s a 98mm underfoot twin tip with nearly a full sheet of metal running throughout. Behind you, you’ll see a turned up tail and quite a bit of length. If you’ve ever spent time on a more center-mounted freestyle ski, you’ll be familiar with this arrangement. When you think about the other skis that Noridca offers skiers, then the Unleashed and its unique profile makes a bit more sense, or it may seem counterintuitive. Either way, Once you click into the 98 and get going, if you’ve had any other Nordica on your feet, it offers a similar feeling and experience.

Other models from the Italian manufacturer include the Spitfire, Enforcer, and Dobermann. If you’re unfamiliar with the catalogue, all three of these models deliver high levels of performance, speed, and precision in their skiing.

What stands out about the Unleashed, is that all three of those characteristics trickle through to its own performance. When combining the characteristics you’d expect from Nordica with the freestyle and freeride elements found in the Unleashed’s design and profile, you get arguably the most well-rounded offering from the brand.

Nordica’s Terrain Specific Metal brings stability, a damp composure and edge hold to the Unleashed 98. Paired with their performance wood core, carbon stringers, fiberglass laminates, and what Nordica dubs as True Tip, (their practice of removing material from the tips and tails), they basically throw the kitchen sink of technology at the Unleashed 98.

Looking at profile and shape, it becomes clear what the intentions of the ski is. Rocker profile is moderate, maybe even on the conservative side compared to its freeride and freestyle peers, in both tip and tail. Camber is long, low, and approachable. You won’t need all too much effort to push against it, but it’s arguably the defining characteristic of the profile.

Add everything together, and you get unique performance from a ski in the all mountain category. The biggest standout for the Unleashed 98 is its carving prowess. Stand it on its edge, give it a little gas, and it will rebound you into a wonderful carve. Then, if your heart desires, slide it out and shut it down. They’ve got the splay and shape that allows you to have your cake and eat it too. You’re on a twin tip with clear freestyle inspiration, a ski like this should allow for that, and the Unleashed definitively does.

Ideal Application

Skis in the mid-90’s width range are great contenders for a “one-ski-quiver” for many riders, and the Unleashed 98 is no exception. This isn’t just due to its width, but rather it’s such a useful tool for so many different parts of the mountain.

The 98 loves groomers, lets just identify that first and foremost. It’s obviously too wide to be considered a frontside ski, but it is truly a fabulous carver. Not only does the tip engage very well thanks to the taper, but the camber rebounds you into each successive turn. It’s reactive, precise, yet also damp and strong without being overly cumbersome. There are other skis that may be more powerful (like its in-brand cousin, the Enforcer) on a groomer, but the profile and build give the Unleashed carving capabilities that could satisfy many all-mountain skiers, and maybe even some frontside enthusiasts.

The Unleashed 98 is also a worthwhile companion for variable conditions or ungroomed trails. The Terrain Specific Metal provides great edge grip and power, but expect to be putting in a squeeze of extra effort when navigating bump runs and trees. The Unleashed is happy to take you off trail, but with the limited rocker and taper, there are other surfier and more forgiving skis in this range that will be better tools for off piste adventures.

Despite its nearly triple-digit waist width, the Unleashed 98 is pretty darn good on truly icy groomers. The nearly full sheet of metal really shines on hardpack and firm snow. Tilted on edge, they hold exceptionally well for a ski this wide, and will rebound the skier into these rhythmic, addicting carves. Even in deeper snow, the width and splay in the tip allow the Unleashed to float better than you might imagine, especially compared to skis with similar frontside capabilities.

At Sugarloaf off the Superquad, Tote Road is a winding blue square that leads to Haywire, a moderately steep single black diamond groomer. In mid-season, there are undulations at the drop in that give Haywire brief moments of blind pitch that lead into the rest of the trail, a wide open slope that wants to be carved. Coming around the drop-ins at the beginning, and then at speeds north of 50 mph, the Unleashed felt composed and smooth, and was true a delight. 

The 98, as a true twin tip, is a park ski by any definition. In our earlier testing, Elan’s Playmaker 91, while being a different ski entirely, is a much more approachable ski in the terrain park and on the small features used for testing. It’s nearly 300 grams lighter per ski, and is much softer in its flex. Freestyle focused athletes and upper-echelon park rats will have no problems with the Unleashed 98 in the terrain park. Arguably, the 98 is one of the premier choices for those looking for an all-mountain ski that is also perfectly appropriate for higher level park skiing.

While it is truly a park ski in profile, it remains a Nordica. It is damp, strong, and precise. The camber and lack of taper contribute directly to its prowess on trail, but can make it a bit on the demanding side in some conditions. Chunder, corn, and slush weren’t the favorite applications for the Unleashed. It wasn’t so much they were getting deflected, but rather they became somewhat catchy in unpredictable and chopped up snow. Something to keep in mind, as its in-brand cousin, the Enforcers, would be better suited to tackle these conditions.

The Numbers

Sizes available: 156 cm, 162 cm, 168 cm, 174 cm, 180 cm, 186 cm (2025)

Sidecut: 133 mm (tip) - 98 mm (waist) - 122 mm (tail) (180 cm)

Turn Radius: 18.1 meters (180 cm)

Quiv3r Measured Weight: 1890 grams (180 cm)

Quiv3r Measured Length: ~178 cm (180 cm)

Recommended Mount Points: One recommended point, recommended line is about -7 cm from center

2025 Quiv3r Ski Test Scores

Tested by: Collin Wiedersheim

Days skied: ~30

Boots: 2023 Nordica SportMachine 110, 27.5 mondo, custom footbeds

180 cm length, Griffon 13 ID mounted at factory recommended line

Final Thoughts

The Unleashed 98 is a ski that is a tad demanding in many regards: Its some got metal throughout, it’s not the lightest ski around (particularly for a twin tip), and can be a bit of a handful in some funky snow. Those elements, however, simply are unable to overshadow this ski’s character and how fun it is to ride. Skiers who want a ski that can truly do most anything and with carving at front of mind would be hard pressed to find a ski that better suits their needs.