The ladies Joy series from Head is a great choice for ladies who spend most, if not all, of their time on the groomers. The Absolut and Super Joy are the two tested models, with the Absolut being the softer and more user friendly of the two. The Absolut Joy is made from a composite core that features Graphene, a lightweight and stiff material. As a result, the skis are incredibly light. Beginners and intermediates will glean the best benefits from this construction, as the maneuverability of the skis is off the charts. Most beginners to lower intermediates appreciate the lightweight nature of their equipment because it not only makes the skis easier to use, but also gives the impression of a high end feel. There’s a bit of tip rocker in there, but mostly to assist with turn initiation, rather than soft snow performance. These skis are definitely intended for on-trail use, with a 79 mm waist and a 13.5 meter sidecut. The end result is a fantastic carving ski that benefits from a light touch. If you’re an upper level intermediate or advanced skier, the Super Joy might be the better option for you. But if you’re looking to learn the basics of carving super-clean arcs down freshly groomed corduroy, there’s probably no better choice than the Head Absolut Joy.
Ali Berlin skied the 168 cm length and found that they skied a bit short. She gave 4’s out of 5 for both playfulness and forgiveness. Flotation and quickness were not far behind in her mind, but she did think it is certainly best served on-trail. “These skis are very light and easy to move around. They move quickly under your feet with little effort. Best for an advanced beginner to intermediate skier who is cruising down the hill.” She cautions skiers that due to the shorter turn radius and softer nature of the skis, that “they’re not meant to go too fast and they can lose edges on glare ice.” When you don’t have a race ski that’s stiff and burly, yes you can lose an edge on ice. That doesn’t diminish the fact that the performance level can be quite high.
Skiing the 153 cm length, Susan Dorn loved the quickness and maneuverability of the skis, and scored it 5 out of 5 for that category. The Absolut Joy also earned a 4 out of 5 for playfulness, so we’re assuming that Susan enjoyed her time on the skis. She notes that the skis are perfect for “hard pack and corduroy. Good for advanced skiers who like to make a lot of quick turns.” She also goes on to state, succinctly, that the skis are “light.”
Weight is a big factor for a lot of skiers, and especially when they are just starting out. The ability to move the ski where you need to and when in a moment’s notice is paramount. The skier needs to know that they can maneuver the ski deftly, when needed, to either progress to the next level, or simply to avoid an obstacle in their way. The Head Absolut Joy is a perfect example of a light weight ski that can cruise the whole mountain.
