2023 Head KORE 103 Skis Review
By: Jana Erdman, Team Lead at evo Portland | June 29, 2022
The Lowdown
The Head Skis Kore 103 W is an expert women’s ski that loves to venture off the beaten path. It excels in off-piste conditions and loves a powder day as much as the rest of us. There is a good amount of rocker in the front, aiding in that lovely floating feeling through powder. They are lightweight enough that you never feel too weighed down, and you can keep up your energy on those long days. They are also an excellent option for someone that would like a combined resort and backcountry ski. They are ever so slightly heavier than say a true touring ski, but if you ski inbounds 80% of the time, and go backcountry the other 20% then the Head Kore 103 is the one! Either way, these can be your ski when the forecast calls for some fresh snow.
Shop the Head Kore 103 W Skis
Technical Details
You may recognize the Head brand from both tennis racquets and race skis. They know how to make gear that is extremely efficient in its construction. They made this ski quite lightweight — they weigh in at just 1750g per ski (3500 grams combined) for the 177cm length. That is due to the Koruba-Poplar lightweight wood core and Graphene. Graphene brags to be the thinnest, lightest, and strongest material known to mankind. They use Graphene in the tip and tail for a nice swingweight. They are similar in construction to last year's 21-22 KORE lineup, with added durability in the topsheet.
While these are a “women’s specific” ski, you can rest easy in knowing the construction is exactly the same as their unisex counterparts. Head did not make these skis any softer than the other KORE skis. That said, the materials used are bulletproof, with not a detail missed. They reportedly have a layer of metal around where the bindings are drilled for better screw retention. Hard chargers rejoice.
| Sizes (cm) | 163, [170], 177 |
| Dimensions (Tip, Waist, Tail - mm) | 130 - 101 - 120 |
| Turning Radius (m) | 15.2 |
| Weight (g) | 1650 |
| Camber Profile | Rocker / Camber / Rocker |
Ride Impressions
Powder Snow
I was thrilled with how these performed on a powder day. When I first saw these skis, I knew they would be machines for these types of conditions. The setback mount point and a good amount of rocker in the nose had me floating. I took these skis mainly through steep terrain, and some tree areas. They always felt quite stable. Head skis are known for being stiff. These are no different, and it really helps to feel in control when in a high volume of snow, and to not feel like they are going to bend too much on you. It was fun to make sweeping turns through fresh snow.Choppy, Heavy Snow
Again, these being a stiffer ski really helped make this ski favorable in that several-day-old snow that is chopped up and heavier. They were able to slice through it and not knock me around. A flexible ski would have been difficult to use in this terrain.Groomed Snow
These did okay on hard pack and groomers, but not great. I did not feel very in control on this terrain, as they did not want to get on edge very well. The tip of the skis felt a bit chattery at higher speeds on the hard pack. These skis were hungry for off-piste.In summary, I did enjoy skiing these. They performed well in what they were intended for. If you primarily ski on powder days and love off-piste more than on, this is a great option.
Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Pros
- Stiff andlightweight construction is excellent in powder and heavy snow.
- High quality materials - should last you for years.
- Can be used as a hybrid ski - both inbounds and out of bounds.
Cons
- Jack of all trades, but master of none.
- More directional ski; not ideal for skiing switch - only a small amount of tail rocker.
- Stiffness is great for certain skiers, but those who prefer a more "playful" ski should look elsewhere.
- Aesthetically, the topsheet/graphics are rather plain...
Who's It For?
I would not say this should be your one ski quiver. I don’t think this ski would serve you particularly well on icy groomers, or when the forecast has been quite dry. What I can say is this is a ski for someone who may already have a carver or more playful ski, and wants to add a hard-charging, directional powder ski. And if you put a hybrid binding on this ski, you can make it your touring ski as well.
The Bottom Line
You may find yourself considering this ski for its impressively lightweight materials and precise, high performance construction including koruba-poplar lightweight wood core, graphene, and carbon additions. This ski won’t fall apart on you. You can take it over any cliff, down any steep run, through trees, and anywhere the snow falls and trust that it’s got your back. If you need a ski with excellent tip rocker to float you over idyllic powder, and enough stiffness to slice through the chopped up heavier snow, this is a great option.
Shop the Head Kore 103
About the Reviewer
Name: Jana Erdman
Age: 25
Height: 5’6”
Weight: 145 lbs
Size Reviewed: 170 cm
Location(s) & Conditions: Mt Hood. Powder, choppy conditions, and springlike slush as well.
Mount point: Factory Recommended
Bindings: Tyrolia Attack 11
Boots: Tecnica Cochise 105
Riding Style: Advanced skier, a powder seeker but I love spring skiing as well. I prefer twin tip skis for going switch.
From the Brand
The Purest KORE Yet.
Through athlete input and listening to the needs of the everyday skier, Head has removed the unnecessary and added performance elements that help more skiers achieve their goals. Whatever their level, whatever the terrain.
Blend resort and backcountry skiing seamlessly with the KORE 103 W. The lightweight construction means more energy for day-long mountain adventures thanks to materials that reduce weight without sacrificing performance. HEAD fuses light Graphene into the rockered tip and tail for a feathery swingweight. Light but stiff Karuba wood in the core is sandwiched by triaxle woven carbon, and a new topsheet shape adds durability for freeride skiers seeking good snow in and out-of-bounds.