2026 Nordica Unleashed 98 CA Skis Review

The Lowdown

The Unleashed 98 CA is a fresh take on Nordica’s all mountain / freestyle Unleashed Series. The formula is simple: take the versatile shape of the existing Unleashed 98 and remove the layer of metal for a livelier, more energetic ride. The result is a ski that balances playfulness and performance without sacrificing all terrain capability. Toss in a more accessible price point (MSRP lands a hair under $600), and the Unleashed 98 CA represents a compelling daily driver option for intermediate and expert skiers alike.

Ride Impressions

I tested the Unleashed 98 CA in the 186 cm length across varied resort terrain in classic spring conditions. Think firm, crusty groomers in the morning with soft, slushy snow opening up a wider canvas by early afternoon. 

Groomers
I felt comfortable right away on the Unleashed 98 CA. This isn’t one of those skis that takes a whole day to figure out. Instead, it welcomes you with open arms and a casual, easygoing character. Like to ski with an upright stance? Great! Prefer a traditional, driving stance? No problem!  This ski does not demand a particular skillset or riding style.  

The ride feels zippy and energetic from the first few turns, with easy initiation and smooth release. You can throw the tails out to scrub speed or smear a turn, but the ski will lock in and paint fast, clean arcs if you tell it to. Edgehold is generally great, and the ski exhibits better-than-expected torsional rigidity given that it doesn’t have any metal in the layup. Grip is a little less confidence-inspiring in truly bulletproof conditions, where you’ll find the tails more prone to washing out. I put that down to the ski’s relatively low camber and medium-soft flex. You can mitigate the effect with a more deliberate, intentional riding style, but as soon as the snow softens up you’re back in business laying clean, confident trenches.

Bumps & Trees
The Unleashed 98 CA feels fantastic when you take it off the groomed and into technical terrain like bumps and trees. It compares favorably to the titanal-equipped version, which sometimes feels a little tanky maneuvering through tight spaces. The softer flex pattern allows the ski to absorb variations in terrain with a supple, forgiving feel, while the lighter weight makes it easy to whip around and turn on a dime. It has an overall looser, more dynamic character, which feels great when you need to execute a few quick turns to get yourself out of a tight spot.

Soft Snow
Although I didn’t have the opportunity to test the ski in powder, I did encounter plenty of soft snow along the corn to slush gradient. The Unleashed 98 CA is a blast in these conditions, with a loose, surfy character that begs you to slash turns and play with terrain. I’d go so far as to say it’s the ideal spring ski, perfect for late season slush and side-hit sessions. 

In choppy stuff the ski feels decently composed and stable without feeling overbearing. It offers enough strength to blast through softer piles of snow without getting knocked off course, although there are better options out there for the purist straight line speed demon. Likewise, deep powder will demand a wider ski capable of providing better float, but it should perform great up to about 6”. Given its excellence in softer spring conditions, I suspect that its true sweet spot is tearing around the mountain after a 2” - 4" overnight refresh. 

Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)

Who Are They For?

The Unleashed 98 CA is a good match for intermediate to expert skiers who prioritize playfulness and all terrain versatility over absolute charging capability. If you enjoy a mix of terrain – carving groomers one run, hunting side-hits the next, then diving into some trees or bumps – this ski delivers great performance without demanding perfect technique. While it does give up some ground to the titanal version in top end stability and grip, the tradeoff in accessibility and versatility makes it a worthy compromise. Budget-conscious skiers in particular will appreciate getting premium performance at a more palatable price point.