Head Kore 99 review 2020
PROSKILAB™ reviewers' comments
While the Kore 93 brilliantly earned a "Best Ski" medal last year in this category, the Kore 99 appears to be a much more rigid and performance-oriented ski.
The ski is made for high speeds, where it excels on- and off-piste. The stability and ability to absorb vibrations is simply exceptional. The ski wants only one thing: to go fast, and according to the reviewers, it "requires space".
In front of such a war machine, lumps of snow in choppy snow should beware! The Kore 99, a rigid ski, attacks them mercilessly. Very stable, it does well in powder, loves slopes; it is the ultimate weapon to hurtle down the slopes at sustained speed.
It is a true freeride ski that is not afraid of anything, and especially not speed. However, it must be kept under control and requires commitment to be deformed: "to control it, you have to lay into it".
Very comfortable in its programme, the ski however proves to have more difficulty at low speeds. The ski does not pivot well and skid handling is poor. The ski suffers from a certain inertia which makes it unplayful. The Kore 99 needs speed and energy: it is not really the ideal ski for romantic outings on the piste!
A rigid, sporty ski, this model from Head is an excellent choice for the committed freeride skier who loves speed and big curves. We recommend it particularly for large sizes.
Review: Pros
- Very high-level performance
- Skills at very high speed
- Behaviour in choppy snow
- Ski–snow contact and great ability to absorb vibrations
- Large bends in powder
Review: Cons
- Demanding and physical ski
- Not much fun: inertia, slow to change edges, little boost
- Skid handling
- Pivoting
The ski review scores
| Turn initiation | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 14.6 |
| Stability | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 17.6 |
| Stability/turning performance | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 16.4 |
| Grip | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 15.8 |
| Short turn performance | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 12.4 |
| Long turn performance | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 18.2 |
| Skid turn performance | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 12.4 |
| Handleability | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 13.2 |
| Comfort | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 14.4 |
| Snow contact | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 18.2 |
| Soft snow fluidity | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 13.6 |
| Freeride - Flotation quality | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 16.4 |
| Handling in powder | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 15.0 |
| Performance on hard snow | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 15.2 |
| Freeride - Performance on hard snow | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 14.6 |
| All-terrain comfort | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 14.6 |
Who's it for?
Manufacturer's remarks
The Kore 99 is an advanced ski for turns in deep powder. At ease on all snow conditions, it will make a perfect companion every day. Its Graphene and Karuba construction allows for a weight gain and lightness, without losing anything in terms of skiability.
Features of the Kore 99
| Brand : | Head |
| Model : | Kore 99 |
| Year : | 2020 |
| Family : | All-mountain/Freeride |
| Size tested : | 180 cm |
| Tip size : | 134 mm |
| Waist size : | 99 mm |
| Tail size : | 120 mm |
| Radius for the size reviewed : | 17 m |
Your review
Reviewed by PROSKILAB™
in La Clusaz, France, March 2019