The 2024 Nordica Santa Ana 104 Free is the boldest, most big-mountain-focused ski in the Santa Ana line—built for women who charge hard and want a ski that can keep up in deep snow, chunder, and everything in between. With its directional shape, rocker-heavy profile, and metal-reinforced build, this ski doesn’t just handle freeride terrain—it thrives in it.

At 104mm underfoot, the Santa Ana 104 Free is plenty wide for soft snow and powder days, but unlike many playful skis in this category, it brings some serious composure to the table. It uses a full wood core, carbon stringers, and Nordica’s Terrain Specific Metal laminate—a strategically placed sheet of Titanal that gives it a smooth, planted feel underfoot without weighing down the tips or tails. That means you get the power and dampness of a metal ski, but with better float and easier maneuverability in deeper or more technical terrain.

On snow, this ski feels confident and strong. It plows through chop, holds a line on windbuff, and lands hard drops without flinching. The early-rise tip and tail rocker profile makes it easy to pivot and smear when things get tight, but the ski doesn’t get loose or hooky—it always feels like it's working with you, not against you. There’s enough camber underfoot to grip groomers and firm steeps when needed, though the 104 Free clearly favors off-piste adventures over corduroy carving.

Compared to the Santa Ana 102, the 104 Free is more freeride-oriented and better suited for bigger terrain and deeper conditions. It’s more powerful than something like the Line Pandora 104 or the Armada ARW 106 UL, and more directional and composed than the Blizzard Sheeva 11. If you’re looking for something with a freestyle feel, this probably isn’t it—but if you want a strong, stable platform to rip through challenging terrain, it’s a top-tier contender.

The 2024 model hasn’t changed drastically from previous years, and that’s a good thing—it maintains its reputation as one of the best hard-charging women’s skis in the wider freeride class. It’s a ski that likes to go fast, stay grounded, and take you into terrain where confidence is non-negotiable.

For skiers looking for a stable, no-nonsense ride in big mountains or off-piste zones, the Santa Ana 104 Free delivers with precision, control, and a touch of swagger. It’s not here to mess around—it’s here to ski.