Lengths (cm): 180 & 189
Sidecut (mm): 145 / 117 / 129 (189cm)
Radius: 24.6 (189cm)
Rocker Profile: Rocker-Camber-Rocker
Camber Underfoot: 4mm
Weight (per ski): 2000g
Price: £650
Website: head.com
Why we chose the Head Kore 117: Burly construction and shaping for aggressive skiers.
When a brand promises to have stripped weight from a ski yet somehow managed to keep a high level of strength within the ski at the same time, we instantly become skeptical of these claims. And, what’s more, we can usually guarantee they’ve been written up by the marketing department.
However, when these claims are made by Head, a company with one of the finest reputations in the ski industry and a seriously impressive roster of athletes on their books, our ears instantly prick up.
“Sitting at the top of this series also means that it’s going to be a stiff ski”
As a point of reference to the weight of these skis, the DPS Alchemist Wailer 112 – a classic powder touring ski – weighs in at a very similar 2080 grams. This 2000 gram benchmark isn’t exactly groundbreaking, but it allows for a great blend of stability and manageable weight for when you’re really earning those turns.
The Kore 117 is the widest in Head’s Kore range of freeride focused touring skis. Sitting at the top of this series also means that it’s going to be a stiff ski. The stiffest portion of the ski runs underfoot and remains pretty damn stiff throughout, although things soften up slightly in the tips and tails. Give these a flex, and you’ll soon realise that they’re still all about the downhill.
