While redesigned from the inside out this year, the new Enforcer 99 still fits a similar all-mountain skier as the outgoing Enforcer 100. The incremental improvements make the new ski even more fun, and slightly more versatile, with a heavy focus on hard snow high-speed inbounds ripping. It’s not playful, at all really. It's a burly, hard work kind of ski, but if your legs can handle the Enforcer’s ability to plow through absolutely everything in your path, it really unleashes (ironic given the other Nordica freeride line) a new way to ski your favorite runs.
Groomers & Resort Skiing:
The ski has a serious need for speed, but provides one of the quietest, smoothest rides we’ve ever experienced. On hardpack, the edge grip is astounding. There’s absolutely zero chatter, even when it’s late in the day and the “groomers” are just sheets of ice. Sure, keeping that feel going requires some diligence with regular tuning, but the ski’s double metal laminate really does work when it comes to charging. The 99 mm waist width might seem a bit wide for a dedicated hard-snow ski, but it doesn’t feel sluggish when transitioning edges, and provides a really solid platform for landings and when straightlining.
A big part of the redesign of the ski involved adding some more tail rocker to the ski. That one subtle design change allows the ski to be smeared and pivoted with much less effort. I wouldn’t quite say it makes the ski feel more playful, but it definitely allowed an easier release of the tail mid-turn to scrub speed or change direction.
"Carving and pivoting. These skis rail powerful turns with confidence and stability, but are still easy to pivot sideways to slash or react to hazards or obstacles. Great width for an everyday driver at Sunshine, other than the deepest days. It does what it's meant to do extremely well." - David Zorko
Powder & Mixed Conditions:
That incredibly smooth ride also translates to ripping crud and tracked-out snow. Yes, it likes to go fast, but what really stood out is its ability to make consistent turns really anywhere on a slope without washing out or feeling wandery. “Locked in” is a great way to describe what it feels like sharing a turn with this ski. It’s your friend and it has your back, but it’s definitely the one in charge. Find pretty much any slope on the mountain and try carving turns down it like you would a smooth groomer - the Enforcer 99 will let you.
"There was a really fun game I learned to enjoy playing on the Enforcer 99, best played in the afternoons of a resort pow day, when all the good lines are tracked out and there’s little to no fresh snow left. The game was basically finding the answer to the question of “how fast can I ski through the crud?” I liked the game because I can’t say I ever found a definitive answer - the ski kept begging for more." - Max Ritter
Unfortunately, the relatively skinny 99mm waist width and heavyweight construction don’t lend themselves well to floatation in deeper powder. Find something wider and softer, and you’ll be much happier on deep days.
Park/Jibbing:
The recommended mount point is fairly traditional (directional and set back pretty far from center) and the flex of the ski is directional too. We did mess around with going slightly more forward but found that the incredibly stiff tail felt overwhelming, so set back it is. Ultimately, the Enforcer 99 is one of the least jibby skis our testers had ever tried. It almost totally lacks playfulness. It’s not jibby, it’s not poppy, and the significant swing weight makes it not very easy to maneuver in the air. If you're some kind of masochist, you could probably ski jumps on it but that's about it.
Who's it for?
You, if your ideal type of skiing involves ripping as fast as you can day in and day out and mostly staying on the ground.
The Enforcer 99 is no one-trick pony, and it excels on hardpack, in variable snow, and in crud. It could work just about anywhere in the world as long as that's your type of skiing. It might also encourage you to not skip leg day at the gym next time. For sizing, bear in mind that it only has subtle tip and tail rocker lines and one of the stiffest tails we’ve ever ridden.
Groomers & Resort Skiing:
The ski has a serious need for speed, but provides one of the quietest, smoothest rides we’ve ever experienced. On hardpack, the edge grip is astounding. There’s absolutely zero chatter, even when it’s late in the day and the “groomers” are just sheets of ice. Sure, keeping that feel going requires some diligence with regular tuning, but the ski’s double metal laminate really does work when it comes to charging. The 99 mm waist width might seem a bit wide for a dedicated hard-snow ski, but it doesn’t feel sluggish when transitioning edges, and provides a really solid platform for landings and when straightlining.
A big part of the redesign of the ski involved adding some more tail rocker to the ski. That one subtle design change allows the ski to be smeared and pivoted with much less effort. I wouldn’t quite say it makes the ski feel more playful, but it definitely allowed an easier release of the tail mid-turn to scrub speed or change direction.
Skier: David Zorko. P:Hanne Lundin Wallengren
"Carving and pivoting. These skis rail powerful turns with confidence and stability, but are still easy to pivot sideways to slash or react to hazards or obstacles. Great width for an everyday driver at Sunshine, other than the deepest days. It does what it's meant to do extremely well." - David Zorko
Powder & Mixed Conditions:
That incredibly smooth ride also translates to ripping crud and tracked-out snow. Yes, it likes to go fast, but what really stood out is its ability to make consistent turns really anywhere on a slope without washing out or feeling wandery. “Locked in” is a great way to describe what it feels like sharing a turn with this ski. It’s your friend and it has your back, but it’s definitely the one in charge. Find pretty much any slope on the mountain and try carving turns down it like you would a smooth groomer - the Enforcer 99 will let you.
Skier: Coralie Ogez. P:Hanne Lundin Wallengren
"There was a really fun game I learned to enjoy playing on the Enforcer 99, best played in the afternoons of a resort pow day, when all the good lines are tracked out and there’s little to no fresh snow left. The game was basically finding the answer to the question of “how fast can I ski through the crud?” I liked the game because I can’t say I ever found a definitive answer - the ski kept begging for more." - Max Ritter
Unfortunately, the relatively skinny 99mm waist width and heavyweight construction don’t lend themselves well to floatation in deeper powder. Find something wider and softer, and you’ll be much happier on deep days.
Park/Jibbing:
The recommended mount point is fairly traditional (directional and set back pretty far from center) and the flex of the ski is directional too. We did mess around with going slightly more forward but found that the incredibly stiff tail felt overwhelming, so set back it is. Ultimately, the Enforcer 99 is one of the least jibby skis our testers had ever tried. It almost totally lacks playfulness. It’s not jibby, it’s not poppy, and the significant swing weight makes it not very easy to maneuver in the air. If you're some kind of masochist, you could probably ski jumps on it but that's about it.
Skier: Coralie Ogez. P:Hanne Lundin Wallengren
Who's it for?
You, if your ideal type of skiing involves ripping as fast as you can day in and day out and mostly staying on the ground.
The Enforcer 99 is no one-trick pony, and it excels on hardpack, in variable snow, and in crud. It could work just about anywhere in the world as long as that's your type of skiing. It might also encourage you to not skip leg day at the gym next time. For sizing, bear in mind that it only has subtle tip and tail rocker lines and one of the stiffest tails we’ve ever ridden.
