2023 Head Kore 97 W Review
It’s not the lightest backcountry option out there, but if you’re plowing through backcountry crud, this is the ski you want underfoot
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This article was first published by SkiMag.com.
The Scores (out of 10)
- Crud Performance: 7.5
- Responsiveness: 7.5
- Stability at Speed: 7.5
- Flotation: 5.5
- Playfulness: 5.5
- Forgiveness: 5.5
- Versatility: 7.5
- Quickness: 7.5
The Specs
- Price: $875
- Lengths: 156, 163, 170, 177
- Dimensions: 131-97-118
- Radius: 15.3 (170cm)
- Weight: 1,640g
- Level: Intermediate to Expert
In a Nutshell
- Pros: Stability at Speed, Crud Performance
- Cons: Playfulness, Forgiveness
This ski proves that lighter isn’t always better for the backcountry. Energetic and confidence-inspiring, the Kore 97 W is a solid crossover ski for spending time in the resort and backcountry, an ideal choice for anyone looking for more performance and response than a traditional touring ski (and isn’t afraid of hauling a few extra grams).
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Like any good Head ski, the Kore 97 W likes to go fast, with a stiff yet springy caruba and poplar wood core and 97mm waist that can hold its own in everything from boot top powder to chopped up leftovers. It’s a ski with a strong backbone, inspiring trust when you’re trying to keep your rhythm through crud. “A maneuverable and energetic ski that inspires confidence in variable terrain as well as soft snow,” reported tester Lily Krass, who spends most of her time in the Jackson Hole backcountry. “This one’s great for an adventurous skier looking for reliability in variable snow.”
Carbon and Graphene in the tip and tail cut chatter and keep the weight down, allowing for easy turn initiation in steep chutes and dense trees with short lines of sight. “The Kore offers a lot of energy and personality, with each turn propelling you into the next,” observed tester Jordan Garrett.
Read more: Learn How the Head Kore 97 W Stacked Up Against the Competition
At 3,350 grams per pair, the Kore 97 W definitely wasn’t built for weight weenies, but the stable and powerful feel is proof that a little extra meat goes a long way when you point it downhill. For areas that see more snowfall, testers agreed the slightly beefier Kore 103 W would be our choice for a daily ripper. The 97 W excelled in wind buff and chopped up powder, but definitely isn’t the most fun or playful ride in knee deep fluff. Her little sisters, the Kore 91 W and the Kore 85 W, are a sleeker option for spring missions and resort fitness laps for those in search of slim skis that won’t feel like toothpicks on the way down.
Testers found that the Kore 97 W, like many of the other skis in the Head Kore line, comes alive the more energy you give it, rewarding strong technique and a hard-charging attitude. The long turning radius contributes to a less forgiving feel, one that newer skiers might not take to initially. “While it’s accessible for an intermediate skier, it’s definitely more fun for someone who knows how to carve,” added Krass. Still, cruisy skiers shouldn’t be totally deterred; while this ski likes to get on edge, it also provides seemingly unlimited opportunities for progression, a ski that you won’t outgrow anytime soon. “Although I think this can be enjoyed by a more aggressive skier, I still found it pretty approachable,” concluded Garrett.
Lily Krass is a freelance ski journalist based in Jackson, Wyoming with work featured in SKI Magazine, Powder Magazine, Freeskier, Teton Gravity Research, and Ascent Backcountry Snow Journal. She spends winters backcountry skiing in Grand Teton National Park and riding lifts at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, with the occasional trip to the Alps (for the food, obviously). While she’s been in ski boots since she learned to walk, Lily has been professionally writing about skiing, gear, and all things outdoors for the past seven years. In addition to an all-consuming addiction to powder skiing mixed with heavy doses of Type II fun, Lily takes snacking seriously, and when she’s not writing or sliding on snow, she’s likely deep into a baking project in her tiny kitchen. She is the co-author of Beyond Skid: A Cookbook For Ski Bums, a collection of dirtbag-friendly recipes inspired by life in a mountain town.