Far from the terror its name evokes, the Hell & Back can be playful. But it also seeks the fall line with an authority that some might find helpful on a journey to and from the underworld. It locks into carves—which gave it high hard-snow and stability scores—but tip rocker allows it to change gears and smear in tight spots. As the mid-width model in Nordica’s new Sidecountry series (along with the Unleashed Hell and Steadfast), it was the most versatile, a backcountry-capable ski that eats up hardpack. What a combo.
135/98/125 at 177 | $899 (flat)
Lengths: 161, 169, 177, 185
Turn Radius: 19 at 177