 Head’s relentless pursuit of higher performance continues to make waves in the ski world. The Head world cup team stood on the podium more than any other brand but technology developed at the pinnacle of the sport trickles down to the rest of us. Like wood cores and KERS that was introduced on some models last year. KERS is another application of intelligent chips to moderate flex behavior. KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) uses piezoelectric fibers in lengthwise orientation to store energy during flexion and then amplify the rebound for super-ski performance. Look for the yellow triangular symbol on the ski.
An earlier technology called Intelligence Technology that uses the same type of fiber but at a 45°angle instead of lengthwise is still found on several models. By orienting the fibers across the ski they can moderate torsional behavior so the ski grips better when it should but is forgiving at the right time.
For this season expect a totally reworked and improved Peak line of all mountain freerideskis, a new line of big mountain boards that replaces Jimi, Carlos and the other classic rockers and a refreshed women’s collection called Mya that retires the One Series.
RACE / SUPERSHAPE – direct descendants of the World Cup spec skis the champions ride. These are fire-breathing frontside performers for arcoholics.
Worldcup iSL
66mm underfoot, 13 meter radius in 165cm length.
Available in 155, 160, 165, 170cm.
Hardcore slalom ski with KERS.
Worldcup iSpeed
66mm underfoot, 18 meter radius in 180cm length.
Available in 165,
170, 175, 180, 185cm.
Hardcore GS ski with KERS.
i.Supershape Titan
78mm underfoot, 13.5 meter sidecut radius in 170cm length.
Available in 156, 163, 170, 177cm.
Same shape as Magnum below but wider. KERS.
iSupershape Magnum
71mm underfoot, 13.5 meter radius in 170cm length.
Available in 149, 156, 163, 170, 177cm. KERS.
iSupershape Speed
68mm underfoot, 14.6 meter radius in 170cm length.
Available in 156, 163, 170, 177, 184cm. KERS.
iSupershape
66mm underfoot, 12.1 meter radius in 170cm length.
Available in 155, 160, 165, 170, 175cm.
Narrow and shapely for maximum carving. KERS.
GTO 200 (New)
63mm underfoot, 17.6 meter sidecut in 200cm length.
Available in 170, 180, 190, 200cm.
You will need your game face on for this one. Head calls this mean machine the “Testosterminator.” A serious cruiser with a race ski feeling. Not available in USA.
CHIP – Technology you should know about
Warning, Techno-geek Content! - A few years back Head introduced a technology that used piezoelectric fibers imbedded at 45° in front of the binding. Piezoelectric fibers convert mechanical energy into electrical energy and vice versa. As the ski twists, the fibers are bent causing them to produce electrical energy that is then looped back to the fibers causing them to stiffen thereby putting more rebound and torsional grip into the ski. So…as demand increases, the fibers’ response increases to create a ski that is adjusting to the situation on the fly. The fibers are called “Intellifibers” and when this system is used in the ski it is said to have “Intelligence Technology.”
To make this concept even more effective Head engineers insert a chip in the circuit so the electrical energy is not just recycled, it is accumulated and released strategically to match the oscillation properties of the ski — a bit like a noise-canceling headset. This effectively multiplies the torsion-control, making it even more powerful. Skis with this technology installed have “Intelligence CHIP Technology.”
X-Shape
X-Shape is a new series that delivers a taste of Supershape performance without quite the same bite — or cost. X-Shape uses Intelligence Technology instead of KERS.
X-Shape MTX (New)
72mm underfoot, 12.9 meter sidecut in 170cm length.
Available in 149, 156, 163, 170, 177cm.
X-Shape STX (New)
68mm underfoot, 12.1 meter sidecut radius in 170cm length.
Available in 149, 156, 163, 170, 177cm.
CHIP
Chip 66
66mm underfoot, 13.4 meter radius in 170cm length.
Available in 152, 158, 164, 170, 176cm.
Featuring Intelligence CHIP Technology and Worldcup sandwich construction.
Chip 71
71mm underfoot, 13.5 meter sidecut in 170cm length.
Available in 156, 163, 170, 171cm.
Intelligence CHIP Technology and Worldcup sandwich construction.
ICON – All-Mountain Piste
Icon TT (Torque Turning technology) is a series designed for frontside cruising and carving. Icon is not a race line but construction of the top model (Icon TT 800) includes race pedigree sandwich construction.
Torque Turning Technology is a different way to control torsion than CHIP technology. This solution consists of skeletal stabilizers made of particularly stiff metal inserted into the ski. The unique shape and size of the torque stabilizers tunes the characteristics of each model. Interestingly, the stabilizers have no effect on ski flex. It may not be adjustable but each ski model has Intelligence Technology as well as TT to optimize performance.
Icon TT 800
66mm underfoot, 13.4 meter radius in 170cm length.
Available in 152, 158, 164, 170, 176cm.
Icon TT 500
67mm underfoot, 14 meter sidecut in 170cm length.
Available in 146, 152, 158, 164, 170, 176cm.
Carbon Jacket construction.
Icon TT 300
68mm underfoot, 15.3 meter sidecut in 170cm length.
Available in 149, 156, 163, 170, 177cm.
Fiber Jacket construction.
PEAK – All-Mountain Freeride
Peak was introduced a few seasons ago as Monster’s successor for all terrain blasting in the mid-fat range. This may be the most improved series in the entire Head lineup, i.Peak 84 and 90 got completely new molds.
Technology You Should Know About
A unique technology called Flow Ride is featured in the i.Peak collection. Flow Ride is a concept whereby a section of the wood core near the tip is replaced with an elastomeric material that imparts special properties to the core. The resulting ski is more versatile says Head, the reduced contact at the tip makes for easier turn initiation and the regular camber profile provides stability at speed. Head says it’s like having rocker when you want it and stability when you need it.
i.Peak 90 (New)
89mm underfoot, 16.1 meter sidecut in 170cm length.
Available in 164, 170, 177, 184cm.
Sandwich construction, Intelligence Technology.
i.Peak 84 (New)
84mm underfoot, 15.4 meter sidecut in 170cm length.
Available in 163, 170, 177, 184cm.
Sandwich construction and Intelligence Technology.
i.Peak 78
78mm underfoot, 14.6 meter sidecut in 171cm length.
Available in 159, 165, 171, 177, 183cm.
Sandwich construction and Intelligence Technology.
i.Peak 74
74mm underfoot, 14.1 meter sidecut in 170cm length.
Available in 149, 156, 163, 170, 177cm.
Carbon Jacket construction and Intelligence Technology.
BIG MOUNTAIN – Motorheads
The Motorhead tribute theme replaces Jimi, Carlos etc. from last year. Fun aside, these are bomb-proof rides for big lines. These ski tend to be long and straight compared to other categories. The trend is toward wider skis and rocker shapes and these skis are right in the middle of that movement. There are two types of rocker shapes in this collection, full rocker and camber + rocker.
Boneshaker 125 (New)
125mm underfoot, 32.3 meter sidecut radius in only length available: 191cm.
FLR Flow Rocker shape: tip and tail rocker and reverse camber underfoot. Think rocking chair.
Kiss of Death 110 (New)
110mm underfoot, 32 meter sidecut in 181cm length.
Available in 171, 181, 191cm.
FLR Flow Rise rocker shape: early rise tip and tail but traditional camber underfoot for performance on groomers.
Inferno 104 (New)
104mm underfoot, 26 meter sidecut in 181 cm length.
Available in 171, 181, 191cm length.
FLR Flow Rise rocker shape.
Rock’n Roll 94 (New)
94mm underfoot, 19.5 meter sidecut in 180cm length.
Available in 152, 159, 166, 173, 180, 187cm.
FLR Flow Rise rocker shape.
PARK & PIPE
Park and pipe skis are all twin tips and they differ from other skis mainly in that they are built to take more punishment than other skis. Hard landings and park features that are often made of metal require tough skis. Bindings are also usually mounted more forward than most skis. Ski width and sidecut aren’t too important in this segment but are given for reference.
J.O. Pro
84mm underfoot, 20.2 meter sidecut in 181cm length.
Available in 161, 171, 176, 181cm.
Sandwich twintip construction and extra durable ABS sidewalls. Almost identical to GP 84 below but a different binding setup and more lengths in this model.
GP 84
84mm underfoot, 20.2 meter sidecut in 181cm length.
Available in 171, 176, 181cm.
Sandwich twintip construction and extra durable ABS sidewalls.
SBC 79
79mm underfoot, 19.1 meter sidecut in 172cm length.
Available in 154, 163, 172, 181cm.
Wood core twintip construction.
WOMEN’S SKIS
Head has a team of women that help develop and approve the offerings for female physiology and tastes. Mya replaces the One Series of last year. Technologies from all other lines are employed as required.
Mya No. 8 (New)
83mm underfoot, 14 meter sidecut radius in 163cm length
. Available in 149, 156, 163, 170cm.
FLR Flow Ride profile and sandwich construction.
Mya No. 7 (New)
68mm underfoot, 13.3 meter sidecut in 163 cm length.
Available in 156, 163, 170cm.
Expert carver loaded with technology including Worldcup Sandwich construction and KERS.
Mya No. 6 (New)
77mm underfoot, 13.5 meter sidecut radius in 165cm length.
Available in 153, 159, 165, 171cm.
FLR Flow Ride profile, sandwich construction and Intelligence Technology.
Mya No. 5 (New)
71mm underfoot, 10.8 meter sidecut radius in 156cm length.
Available in 149, 156, 163cm.
Intelligence Technology and sandwich construction.
Mya No. 4 (New)
73mm underfoot, 11.7 meter sidecut radius in 156cm length.
Available in 149, 156, 163cm.
FLR Flow Ride profile and Intelligence Technology.
Mya No. 3 (New)
72mm underfoot, 12 meter sidecut radius in 156cm length.
Available in 149, 156, 163cm.
Intelligence Technology and Carbon Jacket construction.
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