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Reviewers' score
14.9

Head Premium review 2017

PROSKILAB™ reviewers' comments

As soon as you hit the piste, you know that Head's "Premium" is designed for carving.
Its well-distributed stiffness helps it to excel in this domain. Turn entry is fast and incisive, grip is excellent and rebound is full of punch. It has no complexes attacking the turn, and edge hold is incredibly stable, linking turns extremely smoothly, even at considerable angles. Its shape, the quality of turn initiation and the energetic rebound all add up to a ski that which performs exceptionally well and is fun in short-radius turns.

Like most skis designed for ultimate carving performance, it is distinctly shaped (with a wasp waist) and a stiff tail. On the other hand, skid turns are a challenge. When edging, the tail tries to anchor, hampering the ski's rotation.

Not versatile enough to do well in this category, the Head Premium is nonetheless an excellent ski for good to expert carving fans.

Review: Pros

  • Excellent carving qualities
  • Exceptional performance in short-radius carved turns
  • Dynamic impulsion
  • Great stability in turns
  • Good grip

Review: Cons

  • Less comfortable in skid turns
  • Requires a certain degree of technical prowess
  • Behaviour deteriorates at high speeds

The ski review scores

Turn initiation
☆☆☆☆☆
16.0
Stability
☆☆☆☆☆
14.2
Stability/turning performance
☆☆☆☆☆
15.3
Grip
☆☆☆☆☆
14.1
Short turn performance
☆☆☆☆☆
18.8
Long turn performance
☆☆☆☆☆
14.4
Skid turn performance
☆☆☆☆☆
12.0
Handleability
☆☆☆☆☆
13.7
Comfort
☆☆☆☆☆
15.3
Snow contact
☆☆☆☆☆
15.8
Soft snow fluidity
☆☆☆☆☆
14.3

Who's it for?

Good → Expert

Manufacturer's remarks

These top-of the-range HEAD skis feature the Intelligence™ CHIP Technology. The electric energy produced by the intellifibres is not simply recycled, but is stored and then gradually released, thanks to a pre-programmed chip – individually adjusted to match the fluctuation properties of each ski. The intelligent ski's impact is compounded, improving your performance while respecting your style.

Features of the Premium

Brand : Head
Model : Premium
Year : 2017
Family : Cruisers
Size tested : 170 cm
Tip size : 124 mm
Waist size : 68 mm
Tail size : 104 mm
Radius for the size reviewed : Not available

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Reviewed by PROSKILAB™

in La Clusaz, France, March 2016