Nordica

El Capo Ski

To make the El Capo Ski, Nordica put its Helldorado and Soul Rider skis in a room, lit a few candles, turned the lights down and the R&B up, and waited. Before long, the El Capo was born. It shares the same Powder CamRock profile—traditional camber underfoot with a rockered tip and tail—as the Helldorado, meaning it can float, surf, and pivot in powder while still holding a bomber edge on hardpack, but with a width that splits the difference between its parents. The upshot is that it's a more capable powder ski than the Soul Rider and better on the frontside than the Helldorado, making it a true one-ski quiver for everyday west coast riders or a powder-hungry board for east coast rippers. 

The El Capo is built on a light, lively ash and poplar core, but it's laid up with prepreg and Titanal laminates to make it plenty stiff enough for big lines and choppy runouts. ABS sidewalls provide plenty of durability and power to the steel edges, while the sintered base keeps you mobbing along at eye-watering speeds. Nordica also tapered the El Capo's tail, which means you can break out of turns in a snap, wiggle your way through tight trees, or dump speed when you realize that cliff you're heading for is actually way bigger than you thought.