For 2024, the Head Supershape E-Magnum gets a bit of a graphics refresh, but remains the same great short-turning on-piste ski that we’ve loved for a few years now. The Supershape lineup is a whole lot of fun because it offers race-room construction and technology but in friendlier and more accessible shapes. The Magnum is the shorter-turning ski of the lineup, along with the Original, as it allows for a wider-boded slalom turn with a top end build. Most skiers spend most of their time in an on-piste format, so it makes good sense that there are skis out there that hold up to this type of skiing. While advanced and expert skiers will get the most performance out of this ski, it’s still a good choice for progressing intermediates who don’t mind a challenge, especially those that are athletic or more aggressive. Mainly, though, this ski’s rugged nature keeps it squarely in the high-performance category.

The construction has a whole lot to do with that, unsurprisingly. The Magunum uses Head’s World Cup Sandwich build featuring a whole bunch of vertical wood stringers. Whenever wood, or any other material for that matter, is placed in a vertical setting, it increases the stiffness of the ski. On top and bottom, we get two layers of metal, and two laminates of fiberglass. Additionally, the Graphene strip that runs through the center of the ski stiffens the flex without adding a whole lot of weight. To further the smoothness, Head adds damping layers as well as their Energy Management Circuit. This Circuit filters out vibrations in both the forebody and through the tail, keeping the ski quiet and chatter-free when you’re carving clean and deep turns. When the ski stays truer to the line, it increases confidence and poise, allowing the skier to get deeper into the carve without losing grip or power.

This Magnum, and the super-narrow E-Original, both have shorter radii relative to the rest of the Supershape series. In the 170, the Magnum produces a 13.1-meter turn radius which is about a meter shorter than the Speed or the Rally. As a result, at 72 mm underfoot, the E-Magnum is a clean and precise turner that feels a bit more like a slalom ski than anything else. There’s not quite as much versatility here, mainly due to the narrower waist and more turny nature. While it balks a bit when you try to let it run, it’s most certainly quite comfortable carving those shorter arcs in firmer snow. There’s basically no rocker and definitely no taper to these skis as the tips and tails are quite flat and square. The tail is very stiff and grippy, and the shovel pulls you into the turn with great force and precision.

If you’re looking for a shorter carving ski but don’t want a full-on slalom ski, this Magnum is a great place to be. The strong build, sturdy character, and nimble nature of the Magnum allows for high-level and high-performance skiing on firm snow and smooth groomers. While the versatility is a bit lacking, it more than makes up for it by excelling where it counts. If you spend most of your time in an on-trail format, the Magnum is an amazing ski with a race-like feel and build.