The all-new 2024 Head Oblivion 102 is a prime example of how a brand within a brand evolves. Oblivion added two new widths to the line this season, and both are athlete inspired and built to rip. Built in conjunction with Cole Richardson, these two new Oblivion skis get an updated core and a green build that allows for a more modern take on these amazing freestyle skis. While many skiers out there may look past Head when it comes to park, it’s not surprising that they’re able to filter in many of the technologies and philosophies from their established race department making Oblivion perform a lot better than some may assume. This 102 has a lot going for it, and we were very impressed from the moment we got on it. While some of the narrower Oblivion skis have a gentler flex pattern the 102 is decidedly stiffer, and that gives it a new level of performance and sophistication for advanced and expert skiers who are looking for a wider-bodied twin tip for freestyle and freeride applications.

The new construction of the 102 takes a lot of Head’s other techniques and interlaces them with existing twin tip builds. Starting with a poplar wood core consisting of four stringers that are separated by three PET recycled bottle stringers, this core is sustainable and green. If a ski can produce a similar level of performance while getting more eco-friendly, then this is a good thing for all involved. The ski also gets two layers of carbon, much like what we see in the Kore line of skis, as well as dampening layers and fiberglass. While the poplar and carbon keep it light, they also make it quite stiff. This is an interesting blend of construction techniques, keeping pretty consistent with what we see in Kore and Supershape in terms of innovation. The 181 cm length tips the scale at 1850 grams, so it’s kind of in the middle when it comes to weight in this range of skis. The stiffness, though, especially torsional, is on the stiffer side of the spectrum.

At 102 mm underfoot, this ski is built to handle a lot of different terrain and snow conditions. While it’s on the wide side for a true park ski, it’s still got the pop and flex to make it great for a run from time to time. It’s happier when posted up in a freeride format, offering flotation, smeariness, drifty behavior, and an energetic bounce in softer snow and crud. All the while, this thing holds on groomers surprisingly well. Thanks to the longer turn radius, this ski is able to roll from edge to edge with ease and grace. In the 181, we’re getting a long 22.8-meter arc which is quite an anomaly for skis like this. It makes sense, though, since the carbon makes it stiffer and more reactive, you don’t need a shorter arc to get the fun-loving performance. Like the other Oblivion skis, the 102 doesn’t focus a whole lot on taper when it comes to shape. We get a reasonable balance of rocker and camber, but the taper is still very much on the traditional side of the spectrum. While this makes it a bit less playful in deeper snow, it boosts the length of the effective edge and makes it very smooth and predictable.

We had a blast getting to know these skis this year, and they left a very good impression on us. While many skiers of the advanced and expert realm will fit in well, they may be on the stiff and reactive side for intermediates looking for a wider and more playful twin. The new build and shape make a lot of sense for this new addition to the line, as it brings a new level for the other skis to look up to, and that makes for better brand health and exposure.