2018-2019 HEAD Kore 93

by
Jonathan Ellsworth reviews the Head Kore 93 for Blister Gear Review.
Head Kore 93

Ski: 2018-2019 HEAD Kore 93, 180 cm

Available Lengths: 153, 162, 171, 180, 189 cm

Blister’s Measured Tip-to-Tail Length: 179.1 cm

Stated Weight per Ski: not listed

Blister’s Measured Weight per Ski: 1585 & 1586 grams

Stated Dimensions (180 cm): 133-93-115 mm

Blister’s Measured Dimensions: 132.5-92.5-114 mm

Stated Sidecut Radius (180 cm): 16.4 meters

Tip & Tail Splay (ski decambered): 59 mm / 19 mm

Traditional Camber Underfoot: ~3 mm

Core: Graphene, Koroyd, & Karuba wood

Base: Structured diecut UHM C base

Factory Recommended Mount Point: -11.15 cm from center; 78.4 cm from tail

[Note: Our review was conducted on the 17/18 Kore 93, which was not changed for 18/19, apart from graphics.]

Intro

We’ve posted our initial reviews of the HEAD Kore 117 and HEAD Kore 105, so it’s time now to take a look at the third ski in the lineup, the Kore 93.

HEAD says about the Kore 93, “Sometimes it’s deep. Sometimes it’s tracked. Sometimes it’s bumped. Lots of times it’s groomed. If this is when and where you ski, then the 93 is for thee. Any condition, anytime.”

“Any condition, anytime.” Well that certainly puts us squarely into one-ski quiver territory. Question is, is there reason to think that the Kore 93 can really pull it off?

For as long as I can remember, HEAD has specialized in making heavy skis (often the heaviest in their class) with a solid race construction. But at less than 1600 grams per ski, the KORE 93 is significantly lighter than most other skis in it’s class (which tend to range from 1800-2100 grams).

We are very quick to point out around here that lightweight construction often negatively affects the downhill performance of a ski. So for a company like HEAD that has strong race roots (where downhill performance is the primary goal), creating such a light ski is a dramatic statement, and it begs the question: Is HEAD onto something special with their KORE series in terms of lightweight construction and downhill performance? Or are they just after a piece of the trendy, lightweight pie?

Weight

As you know by now, the primary story with the Kore lineup is the weight of these skis. HEAD claims that their KORE skis are the highest performing and lightest skis in their respective categories. And as we wrote in our review of the 189 cm Kore 105, that ski may actually be the lightest we’ve ever seen for a ski of its length and width.

And the same is true for the Kore 93. Take a look at these comparisons in the 93-98mm width range:

180 cm HEAD Kore 93: 1585 & 1586 g
185 cm Blizzard Zero G 95: 1353 & 1376 g
184 cm Salomon MTN Explore 95: 1507 & 1595 g
178 cm Black Crows Camox Freebird: 1661 & 1664 g
180 cm Fischer Ranger 98 Ti: 1807 & 1833 g
187 cm Liberty Origin 96: 1991 & 1997 g
185 cm Nordica Enforcer 93: 2114 & 2133 g
180 cm Blizzard Bonafide (16/17): 2167 & 2199 g

The first thing to keep in mind: HEAD is positioning the Kore 93 as a high-performance inbounds ski. So in terms of ski shape and purpose, the Nordica Enforcer 93 and Blizzard Bonafide are really the closest comparables here. And take a look at the weight difference.

It’s also interesting to note the weight of the Blizzard Zero G 95, which is a dedicated touring ski, and the Salomon MTN Explore 95, which is a dedicated touring ski that has gained some traction as a “50/50” ski.

But again, I think it’s important to note that HEAD isn’t thinking of this as a “50/50” ski, and as I wrote in our Blister SIA Awards, HEAD wanted us to put this ski up against the heaviest skis listed here. Swagger indeed. But we’ve gotten good enough results in our reviews of the Kore 105 and 117, we’re genuinely curious to see what this Kore 93 can do.

Shape

Another thing I’m psyched on is that the Kore 93 has a bit less tip taper than the Kore 105 and 117. I think that’s a good thing, and if you want to geek out a bit about tip shapes in particular, you might want to give this Blister podcast episode a listen.

Flex Pattern: KORE 93, 180 cm

All three skis in the Kore lineup have very similar flex profiles. Hand flexing the 93, here’s how I’d sum it up:

Tips: 7-8
Shovels: 8-9
Underfoot: 10
Behind the Heel piece: 9-8.5
Tails: 8.5-8

FWIW, the tails of the 93 feel very similar to the 189 cm Kore 105, while the shovels of the Kore 105 actually feel just a touch stiffer than the shovels of the 180 cm KORE 93.

And just to show how similar these skis feel, here are our numbers on the Kore 105 and 1117:

Flex Pattern: KORE 105, 189 cm
Tips: 7-8
Shovels: 9-10
Underfoot: 10
Behind the Heel piece: 10-9
Tails: 8

Flex Pattern, KORE 117, 189 cm
Tips: 7-8
Shovels: 9-10
Underfoot: 10
Behind the Heel piece: 10-9
Tails: 9-8

Point is, all three skis have a pretty burly flex pattern. So if you know you prefer softer, more buttery flex patterns, these might not be your skis.

Also, the Kore 93 (like the Kore 105 and Kore 117) has a very traditional mount point (Kore 93 = -11.15 cm). So while we haven’t tried slamming bindings forward to -4 cm (in the way that we never tried to turn the Nordica Enforcer 93 or Blizzard Bonafide into some jib ski), I think it’s best for most skiers to think of the Kore skis as very lightweight, directional options.

Low Weight + Stiff Flex

This is a combination that we haven’t always found to work well on snow; light & stiff has often produced a pretty jarring ride that lacks suspension and damping.

But so far with the Kore 117 and 105, I have to say that we’ve been pretty impressed. Yes, these are light skis, but they have not produced that jarring, tin-like sensation on snow.

But with the narrowest Kore 93, we’re moving more and more toward a width that you might use when it hasn’t snowed for several weeks, so really, the Kore 93 seems like it will be the toughest test of HEAD’s construction — can this ski really smooth out variable snow and firm, chunked-up or refrozen nastiness as well as the heaviest skis in the category do? Our intuition says no, but we shall see.

But given how well the other Kore skis have performed, we are ready to believe that the 93 is going to be a blast on clean groomers and softer, fairly-forgiving off-piste snow.

What about the Kore 93 as a “50/50” or dedicated touring ski?

Well, it’s certainly in an extremely competitive weight range, so we’ll be weighing in on how these skis would perform with touring bindings. And we’ll predict that in terms of strength to weight, this ski is going to be impressive.

It’s also worth noting, perhaps, that this is not a wildly-rockered-out 93 mm ski that has clearly been optimized to plane up in deeper snow. The 180 cm Blizzard Bonafide has a deeper tip rocker line, and skis like the Liberty Origin 96 have way more tip and tail rocker to aid flotation.

But having said that, the combination of the Kore 93’s low weight and very traditional mount point may go a long way toward helping it to plane in deeper snow.

The biggest question mark for us, really, is that the 180 cm Kore 93 has a pretty tight sidecut radius of 16.4 meters, which doesn’t sound ideal for dealing with punchy, grabby, backcountry snow. But stated sidecut numbers rarely tell the whole story, so we’re just going to have to get this ski on snow. Still, the idea of touring on this ski up to a big, wide-open bowl of soft spring corn, or to billygoat down a steep, consequential, wind-scoured couloir … it’s easy to imagine this ski shining in either scenario.

NEXT: ON-SNOW PERFORMANCE

Pages: 1 2 3

72 comments on “2018-2019 HEAD Kore 93”

    • Don’t worry Tom, you will never regret the monster unless you need light. It’s impressive what they’ve done but don’t see why I’d give up even the slightest performance to save weight unless going uphill. JMHO

  3. Thoughts on length for this ski? I’m 5’10” at 200lbs with a back ground in bumps and slalom (odd combo right) I’m looking at this in the 180 length. Run that or size up to the 189?

    • Hi Tim,

      That’s really not enough information to make a proper suggestion. Knowing your ski preference history would definitely get us started in the right direction. What ski would this be replacing for you in your quiver – what size and name of skis have you enjoyed skiing in the past?

  4. Brian,

    this would be replacing a head collective 105, 180 that i felt skied too short.

    I’ve also had in the past Volkl mantras in a 177 (first year of tip rocker) and I thought the length was good on those.

  5. Just ordered your buying guide for this year, did you guys end up testing the ski in any different mounting point other than recommended? Recommended line sure seems VERY far back to me, even for a modern directional ski. My blizzard bushwackers/Brahma’s and wife’s black pearls always seemed like factory recommended needed to be moved ahead. The Head seems similar, lot of tip and not much tail. Thoughts?

    • Hi TMac,

      No, I did not try the ski at any other mounting points. And yes, the Head Kore 93 is about -11 which is similar to many Blizzard freeride skis, such as the Brahmas.

      Mount points are a somewhat personal choice. Manufacturers change the location of the center of the sidecut to give the design a certain amount of tip and tail length. For example, freeride-oriented skis often have noticeably more tip length than tail length, so the center of the sidecut will be placed further back. And, freestyle-oriented skis often have a more equal tip and tail length, so the center of the sidecut will be placed closer to the center of the ski.

      The recommended mount point is then generally chosen so that, for a given boot size, the ball-of-foot will be within 1-2cm of the center of the sidecut (it can vary based on the ski’s designed stance and style of skiing). Generally speaking, your ball of foot should be close to the center of the sidecut, regardless, for a ski to turn properly. Deviating from this recommended mount point by 1-2cm is GENERALLY ok. Deviating further beyond that point can make the ski feel a bit odd when initiating and finishing a turn (I’ve been on skis before where I could easily tell the mount point was off). However, when it comes to freestyle skiers, some choose to throw that advice into the wind, and mount more forward than that, hoping to gain a better balance in the air or when spinning.

      Again, it’s still a personal choice and the stance and style that you want to adopt on the ski. For me, I typically like mounting my skis so that my ball of foot is about 1cm behind the center of the sidecut (I tend to have a moderately forward stance).

      Sorry I can’t be of more help, but the ideal mount point really does depend on the skier to an extent – kind of like boots.

      • To be clear, for my own personal skis (that I’m not testing), I’ll generally ignore the manufacturer’s recommended point, determine the center of the sidecut, and then mount the ski so that my ball-of-foot is about 1cm behind it.

        To determine the center of the sidecut, I’ll take a strip of paper, wrap it around the edges, and slide it down the ski while pulling the ends of the strip towards each other. When the paper stops sliding, I’ve found the center of the sidecut, or the ‘choke’ point (moving the paper forward or backward would require slacking off the tension on the ends of the strip).

        • Thanks Brian. My boot size is 26.5 and if I purchase this Ski I think I will mount 1cm ahead of recommended just because I’ve always thought all my Blizzard Skis needed more forward, and this looks even further back than those. It does do a mind trick on me when I look down and see all that tip and zero tail behind the binding. I truly Ski all Mountain and spend a significant time in softer moguls. This Ski worries me a little in regards to the stiffness of it. Hand flexing it shows a beast in the stiffness category. I’m relying on sidecut, low swing weight, hi tech materials and rocker profile to compensate for the stiffness. I hope my thought process is right

  6. Thanks. Good review. I am thinking of getting the Kore 93 to replace my K2 Apache Interceptors in 171 length which felt was fine. I am 5’10” 165 lbs. I understand rockered skis ski shorter so I would assume I should get the 180 instead of the 171? Also Head recommends the Tyrolia AAAdreneline 13 binding

    • Hey Frank,

      Yes. The Interceptors are not rockered at all, so if you feel comfortable on them and don’t want any less or more effective running length (sidecut), then the 180 size would be appropriate.

  7. Great review. From other reviews I’ve read, this sounds like it could be the perfect fit. However, your comments on flex have me worried. Would this ski be appropriate for a lightweight advancing intermediate (130-140lbs)? Thanks!

    • Hey Steve,

      I’d probably steer more towards other skis. Something like the Ranger 98 is more appropriate to lightweight intermediate skiers. The Enforcer 93 might be a good heavy option as well.

  8. Brian,

    Advice request: I’m on 177 cm 2015 Volkl Mantras now, out in Colorado, and ski most runs on the front side but have a special fondness for carving on edge. I like the Mantras in most conditions but am looking for something more playful, with more power coming out of turns, and with less of a tendency to chatter at speed. Even with the rocker the length feels a touch long, if anything, but then again I’m complaining about chatter.

    Would you recommend this ski given this, and furthermore would you go down to the 171 or up to the 180? Thanks.

  9. I just skied three days on my 180cm Kore 93s in Mammoth. They are fast – very fast. And super light (no fatigue whatsoever from ski weight.)

    But they sort of sound and feel like cardboard planks! And I think a lot of chatter. They don’t feel smooth or graceful AT ALL compared to my (much older) Head Xenons (177cm) or Dynastar D’stinct+ (172cm) skis. I definitely did not feel as liquid and in-tune with these as I have with my older skis.

    I think my bindings (Tyrolia Attack 13) were mounted at manufacturer’s recommended points. Not sure if that had anything to do with my experience on these.

    I did have a couple of runs where I absolutely loved the Kores, but overall, that feeling of disconnect from the snow, lack of intuitive turning & smoothness, and the tinny, cardboard chatter & uneasiness feel has left me wondering if I made the right decision with these skis. Any thoughts? Oh, also, any thoughts on booths that would be a good match for the Kore 93s? (I have the older Lange Comp100 boots now – rather tight and not so comfortable.)

    • As an owner of a 180cm Head Kore 93 with Marker Griffon binding mounted on recommended line I have to say I’m a little on the fence with my purchase as well. The super lite hype I don’t understand because I own skis bigger than this that feel just as light and similar sized skis that feel lighter. Yes they are lighter than metal layered skis but not others out there with carbon layup or other materials, good marketing though!! Lite and playful yes but not the super lite hype in my opinion. Cardboard planks? Funny! I wouldn’t say that but they are pretty stiff from tip to tail. I’m struggling with the lack of energy/rebound from the tail, I expected way more. I’m having a blast arcing from turn to turn but need more time to see if it’s just me or they really don’t load up like my other skis. I find them very playful, surfy, and easy to pivot In big moguls and off trail. Stiffness can sink the ski some in light deep snow versus trying to stay on tip despite the fairly wide shovel. I bought this to replace my Blizzard Bushwackers and my shorter Nordica fire arrow carvers to use as my narrower ski to have with my Soul 7 HD’s. I’m on the fence knowing if it was the right choice or not. Time will tell.

      • Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I am still wondering what exactly the benefits of the Kores’ light(er) weight are, and why they would be better overall than skis in the same class/width/size/price range. I think I bought into all the hype and marketing of the Kores without really knowing the advantages (if any) and shortcomings of them. In theory and on paper, they seem amazing, but in reality, I am not so sure.. :(

    • Hi Reza,

      What you describe is a pretty typical for lightweight skis in general, and is the reason why we don’t particularly advocate for their use when skiing at the resort. There are some benefits to lightweight skis, however, and some people are willing to sacrifice performance in other areas for those benefits.

  10. Hi You all! I bought a pair of these head kore 93’s. I kinda want to make them as touring skis. Which bindings would you recommend? Is something like a dinamir good for these skis? (It’s cheaper than dynafit and more versatile)
    Thanks! Aron

    • Hi Aron,

      Binding selection is a somewhat complicated and personal matter and probably should be addressed in a different medium. The Blister Membership is ideally suited for this kind of personalized assistance, so perhaps that might suit you best? Otherwise, you can always write to us, regardless, and we’ll do our best, given the limited time that we have.

  11. Hi Brian,
    What are your thoughts on the Kore 93 vs the Fischer Ranger 98 Ti for a carving or small amounts of new snow resort/touring set up? I’m torn between the two, and you seemed to give both such high marks.

    • Hi Alec,

      The Ranger 98 Ti is a pretty easy-going and forgiving ski. It also has more energy when carving. The Kore 93 is a bit more of a serious ski that works better for more advanced skiers. But, it’s also significantly lighter than the Ranger 98 Ti. So it kind of depends what you’re looking for in these regards. Also, I haven’t spent any time on the Kore 93 in powder, but I’d wager than the Ranger 98 Ti would perform noticeably better in deep snow.

      • My two cents after owning a Head Kore 93 and skiing it all over the place for the last month. I’m still at odds with this Ski. It truly is a great all Mountain Ski and does everything great, just doesn’t accell at any particular thing. It has a very odd feel on firm groomers and I do miss energy out of the tail as I would have expected being so stiff of a Ski. But it is stiff from tip to tail so it’s a uniform stiffness. It is surfy, smeary, light swingweight, great in moguls, carves well, very fast skiing Ski, stable for how light it is but again a unique feel on firm snow. Deeper powder that stiffness plows more than surfs, hard to keep tips up but it’s swingweight and profile let’s you whip it around. I own a 2018 Soul 7 HD and if there is any amount of new snow on the ground I would prefer to Ski it instead. The head can sure rip up the mountain in fun fashion but is just missing something in the energy dept. It was supposed to be my firm snow Ski but I’m thinking I made a wrong choice. Great Ski but overlapping a touch into my other quiver of Skis. Maybe would choose a new Brahma, new kendo, maybe even a Enforcer 93, atomic vantage, something with a little more groomer dynamics and energy from the tail. It’s a fun carver for sure but again missing something. Sorry for the long post.

  12. Hey! So I bought my kore 93’s new this year and paired the 2018 tyrolia attack 13’s for a combined weight of 11.4 pounds in total (5.2 kg). So far I’ve gone out in a few different conditions including deep powder (2-3 ft), hard icy on piste, and spring-like warm slushy on piste. They’ve handled beautifully in all the condition and I can’t complain. I come from a racing background but always loved skiing trees and powder when I was younger. I went with the 170 cm length (I’m 170 cm in height, 80kg), and they’ve been amazing for my ability, which I would consider to be advanced. I’ve carved some super tight and fast turns with these skis, and have rocked some great pow! Only complaint so far is that the top sheet is super fragile in the sense that the edges have already started to get chipped and scratched up, and I’ve only been on the mountain 6 times (this might be due to my aggressive style of skiing XD).

  13. Hi …
    I’ve been skiing my K2 Pinnacle 95 188 cm for the last weekend in Austria in very different conditions both on piste and off piste.
    How would I have felt different, If I had ridden the “Head Kore 93” .?
    I’m 193 cm in height, weighing 93kg.
    I consider myself advanced !!!
    Regards Torben. DK

    • Totally different skis, as you know.

      The pinnacle 95 is much softer and has a ton of tip rocker length and tip splay: it’s actually really good in deep snow for a 95 underfoot ski because of that tip.

      It also has a deeper tail rocker. I cannot recall amount of camber.

      The Kore is much lighter by over 200g a ski (based on updated head weights for this ski).

      You would have found the Kore a better carving ski (it’s stiffer and has way more edge in contact with the snow) while the Pinnacle leans more to softer conditions and the pinnacle will feel much more damp (even though it is a ‘light’ ski in its own right).

      They are both all rounders that will excel at nothing (although again, the pinnacle 95 actually does excel in pow lederhosen probably more than any other 95 underfoot ski I can think of).

  14. I’d love to know how ‘lederhosen’ got in my comment. Can my iPhone read my mind? I’d been thinking about lederhosen all day but I did not type it. Wow.

  15. I just bought the KORE 93 as a caring skill and one that I can go through the day without fatigue, due to the weight, if I desire. I’m looking forward to skiing these lederhosen once they are waxed and ready. I e pict to add another quiver to push technical abilities but we will see.

    Thanks Brian for the great review, and the community for their good questions, answers & insights.

  16. I know this is an old thread but the Kore 93 still seems intriguing to me…I’ve talked to some people in the ski world who seem to think that this weight is pretty much exclusively accurate to the pre-production models. That in fact, the commercially available Kore 93 is a lot closer to 1850 ish grams. Def not pointing any fingers or saying any weights are misleading but I’m curious if Blister (or any members) think that claim has any merit? I’m very interested in the ski that rails groomers cleanly at 1500…less so at 1800

    • Hi Alex,

      We just talked to Head about this, and they said that current production versions of the ski are coming in closer to 1780 grams for the 180 cm version. We’ll be getting on a production version of the ski this season and will update this review with any noteworthy conclusions after doing so.

  17. Hi everyone,

    Ski patroller and lifelong ski-aholic here. Standing 6’1″ and ~160lbs, I ski reasonably fast and like to carve hard. For me a ski that can handle it all, that is durable, light, and predictable underfoot while being as solid (not chattery) as possible is a huge plus. I’m not racing and I don’t like to push myself beyond what I feel is sendable. For me the aesthetics of a nice, long, line at consistent speed is the thing of beauty worth pursuing.

    I plan to mount some atomic shift bindings to make this ski my sidecountry and backcountry go-to as I have a pair of beat-up Rossignol 88s that do the job of an everyday work ski fairly well. I’ve skied Volkl Gotamas and Kendos and loved both of them for an idea of what I like in a ski.

    I’ve gotten more into touring these past two years (I live near Mt. Shasta) and wonder if you would recommend the Head Kore 93 vs a ski like the Dynafit Beast for a second ski to compliment the Rossignol 88s?

    Thank you guys,
    Cheers!

    Devin

    • Hi Devin,

      The Head Kore 93 and the Dynafit Beast 98 are quite a bit different in terms of mass. I suggest maybe focusing on what weight class you’d prefer, first? That said, we haven’t skied the Dynafit Beast 98 yet, so I can’t say for sure how it skis.

    • Devin, I own the Dynafit Beast 98 with ST10 pin bindings as my touring setup for longer treks and/or deeper days in the alps. I am really happy with them, they are very balanced and stable downhil likes and even feel pretty steady on groomers. But I think it’s a very different ski from the Kore 93.

      I am also considering to add the Kore 93 mounted with Shift bindings, as a 50/50 piste/touring quiver of one for trips when I am limited to bringing just one ski. The Shift is a bit of a dilemma: to make it worthwhile we need a ski that is really strong downhill yet light enough for uphill. It cannot be too compromised in either dimension or one quicly loses the benefits of the Shift. In fact, Kore and Shift seem such a perfect match that it is almost surprising that Salomon/Atomic did not develop a ski like the Kore. @Brian, I would be interested in your view, whether there are any other 50/50 ski’s equally well matched to the Shift binding?

      More practically, I don’t get the impression that the Kore 93 ski’s short so I am leaning to get the 171cm. My stats: 5’7, 70kg, 50yo, slalom racer and advanced backcountry skier.

  18. I’m an older (73) skier, was at one time advanced, maybe expert taking turns down bump runs like the West Face and the Headwall at Squaw. I can still ski ’em, but slowly, and I’m only good for a couple of three runs in early afternoon. (My legs get a bit fried.) The rest of the time I move around the mountain, some groomers, some not so steep. So, at 172 cm, 80 kg do I want the Kore 93, or the Nordica Enforcer, and at what length. I’m thinking shorter is better.

  19. I have the Kore 105 in 189 and love them. I also ski the volkl kendo in 177 and have the Head Montster 88 in 177. I find the monster seems to ski just a tad short and the 177 kendo is perfect. I did have a few pairs of 184 kendos also then sized down and did not loose anything. Should I have the kore 93 in 180 or 189. I started with the kore 105 in 180 and they were good but the 189 is way better in pow and chop. It is my big ski now, moving down from 117 super 7.

  20. I bought these skis and will take them out in 2 weeks. Can’t wait. I got Marker Squire 11 bindings. I read something that Head only recommends Tyrolia and another brand of binding. Should I be concerned? Thx

  21. Im still kind of looking for a skinthat can complete my quiver (today only consist of 190 2011 Bibbys) The ski I need should be as easy to handle as the Bibby but also able to go as fast as the Bibby but I also need a ski that tours decent and does not vibrate too much when doing tight slalom turns on hard groomers (the bibbys will massage your feet a lot…). I have tried the Peacemaker 186 now but I would consider them a bit heavy for touring and they feel much too short for me. Could the Kore93 189 maybe do the trick?

  23. I had my first day on my new kore 93’s (180) and couldn’t be happier. I have skied the 105 as a demo previously and was not as impressed- the 105 didn’t feel as lively. I am replacing a 2015 mantra with these. I’m 165 lb, 5’11” and have skied agressively for decades in the PNW. Compared to my Mantras (184) and my AX4’s (188) the Kore is very lively and fun. Skied on Powderbowl (Crystal Mountain) in windpacked/variable snow conditions at high speed: The Mantras and other metal skies are a bit more predictable, the Kores flex a bit more when challenged, so the sweetspot gets smaller- they are a bit less forgiving, but hitting the sweetspot rewards with a super lively feel. I had the traditional mount and found it to be great, although I still got over the tips once in a while due to flex in hard driving turns. After a full day, I might have gone with the 188’s since the skis are so light and very easy to toss around. They seem to float as well as the 2015 Mantra – the air temp was 37 mid day and I didn’t have any trouble keeping on top of flat runout areas where I needed to keep my speed up on several inches (maybe 8″) of powder.

  24. Great posts everyone.

    I’m really torn. It’s vetween a 93 enforcer or 93 kore for me. I’m advanced skier who likes going fast on piste and then popping off and messing around off piste. I’m 5 feet 11 and 73kgs. Just about to move to morzine in France so want one ski that I can use in most conditions and in different areas.

    Any advice would be much appreciated!

    Thanks

    Rob

  25. Hello,

    Im torn between the Kore 93 and 99 as a “do-it-all, hard charging, solid” ski, probably mounted with Salomon shifts for the occasional short tour

    It seems that the 99 doesn’t sacrifice much in terms of on-piste performance while gains in softer snow and powder. Has anybody skied both? Also, can anybody recommend a boot for such a set-up?

    Cheers

    MD

  26. Rob,

    The trade off between the Kore and the Enforcer is how light vs how stable. At high speeds the Enforcer will be more stable, but it’s also harder to vary the turn radius on the enforcer if you ski on the edges w/o buttering turns. The Kore is super light, so very easy to wip around in the air.

    Cheers

  27. Hey guys,

    As a heavier skiier (240lbs) will the Kore be able to handle my weight? Just FYI, I’m not worried about setting any speed records as I value quicker turns and maneuverability but I also don’t want for the ski to feel really soft at moderate speeds either. Planning to demo but also don’t want to waste my time if you think I’m totally off by thinking this would be a good fit for me.

    • Hi Kevin,

      The Kore 93 isn’t a super stiff ski, but it still has a pretty stout flex. Curtis mentions (below) that it isn’t a two-layer titanal ski, but don’t let that dissuade you.

      Yes, it doesn’t have metal, but metal doesn’t necessarily mean stiff at all. Metal should be more generally associated with a particular feel than a flex pattern. For example the J-Skis Masterblaster is softer than the Kore 93, despite having a decent amount of metal and being much heavier:
      https://blisterreview.com/gear-reviews/2016-2017-j-skis-masterblaster

      That said, the Kore 93 is quite light, so keep that in mind as well – if you tend to prefer heavier skis.

      • To clarify, if you care about the flex pattern, I suggest you focus on the Flex Pattern section that we have on all recent (and future) ski reviews and use understand how stiff or soft a ski is (and in comparison to other skis).

  28. If you are an advanced/expert skier you may find them a little soft as a heavier skier. Certainly not like a two layer titanal ski. I think they are a good comparison if you can demo both.

  30. So Got a pair Kore 99 love them! however skiing east coast almost 100% of the time. im thinking of getting a pair of 93’s for those hard pack days in the east. any thoughts?

  31. Hi,

    Im 6’3 225lbs and do majority of my skiing on piste in the Swiss / French alps. After 5 years of intermediate / advanced-intermediate carving ski I’ve been looking to move up to a wider, more stable-at-speed, all-mountain ski that is still mainly for on-piste use, but want the option to start moving toward off-piste as my level has improved greatly since I last purchased skis.

    I recently rented the Volkl RTM 86s 186cm and really enjoyed the stability, medium to long carving and chatter free ride. However, while my size/weight means I can handle stiffer and hard charging skis without too much trouble, I am not necessarily a super aggressive skier 100% of the time.

    I’m therefore looking for something similar but with a bit more off-piste versatility and playfulness, but which doesn’t sacrifice too much on my love of carving and desire for a stable, chatter free ride. Im not sure if I am asking for too much from 1 ski but I have been recommended the Kore 93s by a few people and your opinion would be super helpful!

    If not the Kore 93s, what other skis would you recommend for what Im looking for?

  32. Hi I have the kore 93 180cm and I am thinking of changing my bindings tyrolia attack 13 with a touring binding as I want to have the opportunity to go for freeriding out off the border of the ski resort. What I am afraid is that the weight of the ski might come too light and change its performance asi know until now. The snow I usually ski is like the east’ s coast of Usa. Do you think I will have to buy a heavier ski or it will be with the same good performance wit the touring bindings? I was looking for the marker kipling 13.
    Waiting for your comments thanks in advance.

  33. ack. 48 year old fit tele skiier with 25 years of freeheel experience, currently replacing a rossignol phantom sc 87. 185lbs 4 buckle crispi boot, rottefella freeride or outlaw x binding. Colorado mountains/snow. Aggressive all mountain skiier looking for a everyday driver. 95% resort use. Good choice or great choice?

    • micheal, i too am a tele fool. older, but not as experienced. curious about both this ski, and your experience on it. i tend to like stiffer, large radius skiis. a change of pace ?

  34. Hi,
    I am 5’9 176lbs with 40 years of experience and have the kore 93 189cm with Salomon Shift mounted 1,5 cm forward of recommended mounting point. I really like versatility, playfulness, quickness and carving ability. This is my quiver both off and on piste. Great choice do it all.

  35. Bonjour, j’hesite entre un kore 93 et un rustler 9. Pour un ski unique monté en rando. Pour faire 70%piste 30% rando. Que me conseilleriez vous ?

  36. Thanks for a wonderful review! I am trying to decide between this Head Kore 93 and the Volkl Mantra M5 (great review here as well) – I am hoping for at comment on this.

    I ski in the alps one-two weeks a year. I’m intermediate level, 36 years of age, very comfortable on all slopes, good speed, good carving capability, I’m not doing parks – but am trying the small jumps without kicker. I am doing the close by off-piste as much as possible and the occasional further backcountry (low key).

    I am light weight of 68 kg (150 pounds) and 179cm in height (5.87 feet). I have a tendency to get back-weight when challenged eg. on moguls. I realize that these skies are not the forgiving type – but is their any comments on which of the two would be a better mach?

    Thanks in advance

  37. Hi Magnus,

    The Kore is more forgiving. I think you will find it more playful given your weight and skiing preferences.. I have owned both the Mantra and the Kore.

  39. Hello,

    I am an intermediate skier who skis 80/20 on/off piste. I am 168cm tall and weigh 160lbs. I like to ski fast and aggressive in Whistler and the surrounding local mountains in BC. I am looking for a one quiver solution.

    Would you recommend the Kore 93 (162cm) or Enforcer 93 (169cm)?

  40. If you have a chance to try them both it’s money well spent. I believe the lighter ski is going to work best at your weight and for an intermediate, but you really dont know until you are on them.

  41. I am a 6’0, 175 lb, 55 year old advanced skier who loves getting my 180 Brahmas on edge to rip groomers in the east; however, on those occasional days when the snow is soft or bumped out at the end of the season, I want a quicker, more flexible and playful ski for skiing the trees and bumps. I willing to give up a little performance on the groomers. I demoed the Kore 93 in 180 and liked them alot but is there another ski you would recommend trying?

  42. Hi,

    I’m moving from 2014 Blizzard Bushwacker 180cm with Marker F12 AT bindings. I’m trying to decide between Head Kore 93 Enforcer 93(or 2021 94’s). I am 6’1″ 175lbs advanced skier and like to ski aggressively all over the mountain- groomers, bumps, trees, powder(the rare days we get it in the East)crud. Ocasionally do some back country touring (Tuckerman’s once a year, a bit of skinning) but I’d say I’m 85-90% on piste. I do about 20-25 days in the East, 10-ish in the West and this will be my East Coast ski. Appreciate thoughts and also appreciate feedback on the 180 vs 189 length

    Thanks!

  44. I’m an advanced skier, 54 years old, 5’9”, and 180 pounds. I bought the Kore 93 in a 171 and use Kneebindings, because of my paranoia after tearing an ACL 8 years ago in a slow twisting fall coming off of a lift.

    I LOVE these skis. I skied them last year in Utah, Michigan, and Banff under all types of conditions, except the powder was never more than 2 to 3 feet. They are a blast! They are versatile, they don’t tire you out, you can ski in different conditions, and you can shape a variety of turns without working too hard.

    Just super versatile and fun.

  45. This is a quiver killer for me (in my area). I personally think about two feet of new snow is too deep for these guys, but they are a blast in fresh snow within their limit. I am relatively new to skiing, and I think these skis are helping me carve. So I can contest that if I can get them on edge, anyone probably could. Other skis might have more of a rebound feel coming out of the turn. I’m also a small person, (Female 115, 5’3″) so I appreciate the light weight. I can toss them around with little effort. I have a pair of heavy metal skis (blizzards) that I *used to* enjoy because they gave me confidence with their stability. Skiing these skis back to back, the stability is equivalent in my mind, and I much prefer the versatility of the Kores (and the speed). They don’t get deflected easy, they are quiet, and they are FAST. I would recommend these skis to literally anyone, unless they live somewhere that totally dumps all winter.

  46. Anyone have a confirmed weight for the 21-22 Kore 93 191cm length?

    The 20-21 (and earlier) generation 189cm length weighs 1890g (2 skis averaged together)

    • I am a Snowboarder that rides primarily in a mountain with lots of glades. Instead of buying a splitboard for touring I thought it would be nice to get some skis +’skins as there are sections of the hill that are not optimal for boards and I d like to try skiing.

      I was looking at the Ripstick but I got feedback that it wasn’t great for going down the hill.

      I have been recomended the Head Kore 93 but when reading this review I’m worried about the ski being classified as for experts. Would these be good skis for me and if not do you have another recommendation for 50/50 touring and skiing?

      Also for sizing I am 5f7 and 180lbs, I’ve read different suggestions with regards to length of skis I should purchase.

      Thanks!

Leave a Comment