It isn’t every day that students get to design a pair of custom skis with a big-name brand. But every year since 2022, SOS Outreach — a 501(c)3 nonprofit that helps youth and teens get on snow through outdoor mentorship — has collaborated with Nordica and Christy Sports so program alumni can learn the end-to-end commercial process of building a limited-edition Nordica ski and bringing it to market.
Then, all sales of those skis go directly back into the program, benefiting students and getting more of them outside on snow.
“All profits from these skis will serve as program scholarships for the young people who need it most across 15 communities,” Caroline Craffey, marketing director of SOS Outreach, told GearJunkie. “We know that high costs are a major barrier to more people accessing the sport. This project is raising funds to eliminate that for SOS participants. Together, we are able to change young lives through the power of the mountains.”
This year, students designed a special pair of SOS Outreach Nordica Enforcer 94s — one of the brand’s top-selling all-mountain models — embossed with special SOS Outreach graphics. Selling all 70 of these limited-edition skis would allow SOS Outreach to support 20 participants through its multiyear program.
“I am a first-generation Latina skier, whose parents never got on the mountain,” Fernanda Landeros, an SOS alumna who helped design this year’s collaboration skis said. “By offering a chance to SOS kids like me, who are the first in their families to hit the slopes, these skis are making a significant impact on their lives.”
2024 SOS Outreach Nordica Enforcer
This year, five alumni helped design the SOS Outreach Nordica Enforcer 94. Fernanda Landeros, Jaime Rosales, Vicente Flores, Aaron Chaussignand, and Amelia Atencia were selected because of their dedication to getting more kids and teenagers on snow — especially first-generation skiers.
“Being the only one like me on the mountain was intimidating,” Rosales said. “But thanks to SOS Outreach and this incredible ski, I’ve found the courage to push past my fears and embrace challenges. These skis aren’t just equipment — they’re helping me break barriers both on and off the mountain.”
Last year, SOS Outreach designed a version of the Nordica Unleashed all-mountain ski. This year, they chose the Enforcer 94, a flagship Nordica ski with a new waist width for 2024/25.
The Enforcer has an all-mountain rocker, camber underfoot, and Energy 2 Ti Pulse Core. To compare the Enforcers with other similar skis, check out GearJunkie’s guide to the Best All-Mountain Skis.
GearJunkie’s own Sean McCoy tested the Enforcer 99. He commented, “This ski likes to run fast but can still slow down and play pretty well.”
