Stöckli Nela Series Comparison Guide 2025–2026
Nela 88 • Nela 96
The Stöckli Nela collection is purpose-built for women who want playful all-mountain versatility with real freeride performance. The Nela 88 is your all-around everyday companion, light and easy with enough backbone to explore the whole resort. The Nela 96 steps up the width and rocker for more float and stability in soft snow and mixed conditions. Use this side-by-side guide to see how they compare.
| Specification | Nela 88 | Nela 96 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | All-Mountain Freeride – all-around fun women’s ski for the whole resort. | All-Mountain Freeride – widest women’s ski in the line with soft-snow focus. |
| Terrain | Off-Piste & On-Piste | Off-Piste & On-Piste |
| Turn Type | Short to Long Turns | Short to Long Turns |
| Speed | Slow to Fast | Slow to Fast |
| Waist (mm) | 88 | 96 |
| Lengths (cm) | 152, 160, 168 | 156, 164, 172 |
| Reference Radius (m) | 13.4 / 15.0 / 16.9 | 14.0 / 15.8 / 17.7 |
| Dimensions (mm) | 127 / 88 / 113 | 134 / 96 / 121 |
| Weight per ski (g) | 1’510 / 1’550 / 1’617 | 1’560 / 1’650 / 1’740 |
| Bevel | Base 1.5° / Side 2.0° | Base 1.5° / Side 2.0° |
| Core & Build | Lightweight construction with Softflex technology and a special freeride tip for low-effort performance and stability on- and off-piste. | Freeride women’s build with rocker in the shovel and tail plus thinner fiberglass under the wood core for a lighter, more agile feel in soft snow. |
| Key Technologies | Softflex technology, lightweight construction, women’s freeride tip. | Rocker shovel & tail, thinner fiberglass beneath the core, women’s freeride platform. |
| Feel / Personality | Easygoing, playful and confidence-building, ready to follow you anywhere on the mountain. | Floaty, agile and stable at speed, designed to shine on soft snow and in deeper conditions. |
| Bindings / Plates |
+ BINDING Strive 11D black L90 + PLATE + BINDING Shift 10 SH90 + BINDING Strive 14 D90 Strive 12 black L90 |
+ BINDING Strive 11D black L100 + PLATE + BINDING Shift 10 SH100 + BINDING Strive 14 black D100 Strive 12 black L100 |
| Montagelehre / Mounting Jig | Jig Stöckli D20 • Art. 112065468 Jig Shift • Art. 189138958 Jig Stöckli D30 • Art. 167119959 |
Jig Stöckli D20 • Art. 112065468 Jig Shift • Art. 189138958 Jig Stöckli D30 • Art. 167119959 |
| Shop Now | Nela 88 → | Nela 96 → |
Stöckli Nela – Technology Highlights
Quick look at what makes the Nela women’s freeride skis feel so light, playful and confidence-inspiring.
Softflex technology, a lightweight women’s construction and a dedicated freeride tip keep the Nela 88 easy to bend, forgiving in mixed snow and stable enough to explore the entire mountain without wearing you out.
Rocker in the shovel and tail, combined with a thinner fiberglass layer under the wood core, make the Nela 96 lighter, more agile and incredibly floaty – ideal for deeper days while still holding its own back on the groomers.
Both Nela models balance poplar, beech and paulownia in a light yet powerful core, tuned specifically for women who want serious performance with a smooth, low-effort feel from first chair to last run.
*Specs reference typical mid-lengths; details vary by ski size and model year.
Stöckli Nela Series – Frequently Asked Questions
1. What’s the difference between the Nela 88 and Nela 96?
Think “everyday all-mountain” vs. “soft-snow freeride.” The Nela 88 is lighter-feeling, quick to engage, and super versatile across groomers, bumps, and mixed resort snow. The Nela 96 adds width and more rocker-driven float for deeper days, plus extra stability when conditions get soft, choppy, or three-dimensional.
2. Which one is better if I ski mostly groomers but want to explore off-piste?
Choose the Nela 88. It’s the easier “one-ski” pick if you spend more time on-piste but still want confidence in trees, bumps, and softer off-trail snow. It keeps the ride playful and low-effort without giving up that locked-in Stöckli feel.
3. I chase powder and soft snow—should I go straight to the Nela 96?
Yes. If you regularly ski softer conditions, deeper storms, or you like a surfier, more planing feel, the Nela 96 is built for that job. The wider platform and rocker profile provide easier float and a calmer ride in soft chop while still holding its own when you return to groomers.
4. Which ski feels more agile in bumps and tighter terrain?
The Nela 88. It’s quicker edge-to-edge and generally easier to steer in moguls, tight trees, and variable lines where you’re constantly adjusting. The Nela 96 is still maneuverable, but it’s happiest when there’s softer snow to support the wider waist.
5. What binding/brake width should I run on each model?
For the Nela 88, a ~90–100 mm brake is typically the sweet spot. For the Nela 96, a ~100–110 mm brake is usually ideal. If you’re unsure, match the brake to your exact ski width and we’ll dial it in based on your binding model and actual measured waist.
6. How should I size the Nela 88 vs. the Nela 96?
If you want quicker handling, size closer to chin-to-nose; if you want more stability at speed, go closer to nose-to-forehead. Many skiers keep the Nela 88 a touch shorter for agility and bump performance, while sizing the Nela 96 a touch longer to maximize float and confidence in soft snow.
7. Are these skis demanding, or can strong intermediates enjoy them?
They’re performance skis, but they’re not “punishing.” The Nela line is designed to feel smooth and confidence-building—especially the Nela 88. Strong intermediates who want to improve can absolutely grow into either model, with the 88 being the easier, more forgiving entry point.
8. What tune/maintenance keeps the Nela series feeling smooth all season?
Keep bases waxed regularly (especially in cold/dry snow) and maintain sharp, consistent edges for that classic Stöckli grip. If you’re not sure what to run, start with the factory tune and adjust based on your snow conditions and preference for bite vs. forgiveness.
Customer Reviews – Stöckli Nela Series
★★★★★ “Nela 88 boosted my confidence”
Super easy to initiate and very secure on hardpack. The Nela 88 made carving click for me — fun and forgiving but still precise.
— Hannah S., Maine
★★★★★ “Nela 88 = true all-mountain”
The Nela 88 handles groomers, bumps, and a few inches of new snow with zero drama. Smooth, calm, and easy to ski all day.
— Olivia R., Colorado
★★★★☆ “Nela 88 surprised me on groomers”
Bought the Nela 88 for soft days, but it still tracks cleanly when it hasn’t snowed. Playful feel with real edge hold.
— Emma K., Utah
★★★★★ “Light but not chattery”
I wanted a lighter ski that didn’t feel nervous. The Nela 96 is exactly that — smooth through afternoon chop with great grip.
— Sofia G., Italy
★★★★★ “Confidence off the side of the trail”
The Nela 96 made dabbling off-piste way easier. It floats enough to be fun but still carves home when I hop back on cord.
— Claire P., British Columbia
Stöckli Technology Glossary — Nela Series
Key technologies used across Nela 88 • Nela 96. Use these quick definitions to understand how each ski feels on snow.
Subtle tip (and sometimes tail) rocker for easier turn initiation, confidence in mixed snow, and smooth edge engagement on groomers.
A touch more rocker and planing surface (most noticeable on Nela 88) to add float and a surfier release in soft or variable snow.
Refined flex mapping at the extremities for smoother entry/exit of the turn. Adds comfort and forgiveness without losing precision.
A lighter variant of Stöckli’s Solid Metal Edge. Preserves tuning life and crisp edge hold while keeping swing weight low for all-day skiing.
Layup and flex tuned for lower swing weight and approachable longitudinal/ torsional stiffness, creating easy initiation and lower fatigue.
Selected lightweight wood species and laminates reduce mass without sacrificing Stöckli’s trademark damp, quiet ride.
Classic race-inspired construction with vertical sidewalls for powerful edge transfer, durability, and precise snow feel.