At 90 mm underfoot, the Head Wild Joy is on the wider side of the Joy line of all-mountain skis. This one blurs the line dividing that front-side category and all-mountain, and if you choose to ski these skis off-piste, you won’t have any problems. They are nimble, quick, and light and will take you wherever you choose to go. With a wood core layered with koroyd and graphene, the skis are right at the height of construction technology. For a ski without metal, it performs like one without weighing like one. We hear that a lot, that a ski is lightweight and stable, but Head really takes it to another level. Our testers couldn’t get enough of the quick and maneuverable nature of the skis.
Ariel Aidala scored the skis 4 out of 5 for flotation. She skied the 163 cm length and commented that “These skis could get through the crud well and the construction of the tip is very unique compared to any other ski in the test. This ski was made to take on the crud while still being able to make a decent turn. They need a little extra oomph to get them to turn. They might be best for a harder charging skier than me, only skiing a few years.” Don’t sell yourself short, Ariel. That’s some really nice feedback, and the notion that the Wild Joy is a unique and stable ski partner is quite astute.
Ann MacDonald also skied the 163 and found them to be on the short side. Her scores of 4 out of 5 for flotation, quickness, playfulness, and forgiveness speak volumes about her impression of the skis. Ann also noticed the unique construction of the skis and spoke about the ensuing performance that you get based on that shape. “Playful fun skis. Not super-aggressive, good for the intermediate to advanced skier. Tip initiates well, lots of sidecut, so quick-turning and forgiving.” Ann is talking about the narrow waist, wide tip shape of the Wild Joy and its ability to get from edge to edge without missing a beat. For an on-trail ski, the 90 mm waist is on the wide side, but for an all-mountain ski, the opposite is true.
Jenny Lawson thought that the Wild Joy spoke to her, personally. She skied the 163 and scored 5 out of 5 for most categories including versatility and overall impression. Jenny has a solid, quick, and accurate take on the Wild Joy: “This is a fun ski! It is a very ‘Jenny’ ski—easy, fun, and playful.” Obviously some positives coming from Jenny on this one!
Josi Kytle skied the 173 cm length and loved the quickness, maneuverability, and playfulness of the Wild Joy. She commented that the skis were “Fun, not wild” and that they are “light and easy to turn, so best for less-aggressive skiers. They preferred to be skied at medium speeds with medium turns, and as a result, I’d recommend them for any intermediate to advanced skier who’s enthusiastic about improving.”
The highest praise of the test comes from Katie Perlmutter. She skied the 163 cm length and called it the “best ski on the list I was given. Fun and stable and stiff enough to go fast.” Her top scores were for overall impression, stability, quickness, and maneuverability. It’s hard to predict when a certain ski speaks to a certain skier, but when it does, it’s important to note.
Whether on or off-trail, the Head Wild Joy will meet your needs. Wide enough for the fresh, and turny enough for the groomed, the Wild Joy sits right in the middle of a competitive class of all-mountain and front side rippers.
