Nordica Hot Rod Tempest XBI CT (2011)

“If Stallone had this much grip in Cliffhanger,” said one 200-pound ex-racer, “the film wouldn’t have been made.” Compared with the laid-back Nordica Fire Arrow, the Tempest is more of a carving specialist. It locked into tight, short carves, gripped flawlessly, and unloaded with pop at turn’s end. It’s demanding but just forgiving enough to encourage good carving technique in intermediates, though experts won’t find it lacking in top-end power.