2021 Head Kore 117

So far, one of the best things about the Kore series from Head is that they haven't changed their stripes. Built and shaped the same way since inception, they're sticking with what works, and we've got a lot of respect for that. Really, the main thing that they've changed is the expansion of the models in the line. Now with 5 different models in the Kore series, ranging from the front side 87 to the wide 117, the Kore skis are really a brand within a brand-and this is something we've been seeing from a lot of companies over the past five years or so. The benefit here is that if you find a ski you like, you can stick to that style, just in different widths. While some skiers would be happy with one of the more middle-ground Kore skis like the 93 or 99, it also opens up the possibility for skiers to have a multiple-ski quiver, but all in the same realm. You could get an 87, 99, and 117, and pretty much be covered for any and all conditions, any day of the year. But here, we're focusing on one of the extremes of the brand, the Kore 117. As the skis get wider, the taper shape and rocker profile become more dramatic, and better suited for deeper and softer snow, so it stands to reason that the 117 is the shapeliest of the bunch, and they do this without altering the construction, and therefore the overall personality of the ski. Skiers looking for surfy, playful powder performance should look no further than the 2021 Head Kore 117.

The Kore series all started with a radical new way of building skis. While most skis in this freeride/all-mountain range have typically relied on some sort of metal laminate (or laminates), the Kore skis threw that concept out of the window and pretty much started from scratch. With the implementation of new materials, they designed a ski that's impossibly light for how stiff and high-performance it is. Starting with Karuba, a light weight wood, Head added Graphene, Koroyd, and Carbon laminates to the build. These materials are all known for their incredible strength to weight ratio, and all add a little something different to add performance without adding heft. It works, and as a result, when you pick these things up to hand-flex them, it's almost an unnatural feeling. It translates well to the snow, especially in soft and deep stuff.

But, if they were just planky, stiff skis with no personality to the shaping and profile, they wouldn't be too much fun, so Head made a big effort to properly sculpt these skis so that they maximized the flotation and playfulness. With deeper rocker and more dramatic taper, both in the tips and tails, the spoony shaping of the ski makes for that more forgiving personality. By increasing the length of the widest part of the ski and bringing it closer to the mid-point, they make the ski surfy and smeary. If it were more traditionally shaped, the stiffness and shape wouldn't line up with the intended use of powder skiing.

Thanks to the innovative materials and width-appropriate shaping, the Head Kore 117 is a true big-mountain player. Stiff enough to satisfy the most discriminating of snow-day skiers, the Kore 117 loves deep snow and technical lines. Fantastic edge grip, even at this width, really goes a long way in instilling confidence in advanced and expert skiers who need some support from their gear. The 2021 Head Kore 117 is a modern marvel of ski technology and shaping, and they've done a fantastic job leaving well enough alone over the years.