Austrian manufacturer Head builds wood-core skis based upon technology developed on the race course for its Olympic and World Cup athletes. The bulk of its freeride line features proprietary iM technology, which transforms mechanical impulses into electrical energy. Sounds techie, but the concept is simple: the faster you go, the stiffer the skis are. Also, Head’s team riders are instrumental in the R&D process: witness the Jon Olsson Pro, a ski designed by the master himself.
Monster 95 O.B.
Length: 171, 181, 191
Dimensions: 130-94-119 @ 181
MSRP: $1,000 Stoke: 7
This is a true big-mountain ski featuring plenty of girth under foot for going fast through the chop. You might expect these skis to be for only the biggest, baddest mothers on the hill but testers found them “quick and easy to ski for such a big ski.” While the quickness came as a surprise, their powder and crud performance is, as you’d guess,
“awesome.” A very solid offering from Head.
Monster iM 88 SW
Length: 164, 175, 186
Dimensions: 126-88-112 @ 175
MSRP: $950 Stoke: 8
The little brother of the “95,” the iM88 shares many of the same traits as its fatter sibling. It can “handle the speed” and is a “great powder ski, especially on the steeps.” It is also slightly quicker edge to edge than its big brother and “is pretty fun in the trees.” If you like to turn a bit more and spend your time in the trees looking for stashes, this would be our suggestion over the iM95, which likes to run a bit straighter.
Mojo 90
Length: 166, 176, 186, 193
Dimensions: 124-89-117 @ 176
MSRP: $810 Stoke: 8
Jumps: 7.5 Pipe: 6
Playfulness: 7 All-Mtn: 9
“Jumps like hot fire!” raved one tester. The Mojo 90 is wide enough to handle powder and crud with ease and holds its own in the park and in the air. Our testers felt this would be a great backcountry ski to take jumping. It’s also a stable and consistent ride being “very manageable and easy to control yet retains its ‘jibiness,’” said another tester.
J.O. Pro
Length: 160, 169, 178
Dimensions: 113-77-102 @ 178
MSRP: $710 Stoke: 8.5
Jumps: 9 Pipe: 9
Playfulness: 9 All-Mtn: 7
The J.O. Pro received rave reviews from our testers. “Light and nimble. Definitely a sweet jib stick,” said one tester. “Super light and fun,” commented another. This ski is narrower than some other park specific skis on the market but because of that, it was found to carve really well into jumps and on groomers. A great park tool from one of the best in the game.
Mojo Spawn 1
Length: 160, 169, 178
Dimensions: 113-77-102 @ 178
MSRP: $640 Stoke: 7
Jumps: 8.5 Pipe: 9
Playfulness: 7 All-Mtn: 8
The Spawn is similar to the J.O. Pro in its dimensions but with a more traditional flex pattern making it easier and more comfortable for beginner park riders or those who simply aren’t fans of the unique, more playful flex of the J.O. Pro. The price is also a bit more attractive.
Next Review > >
Want To Check Out Other Brands?
4FRNT, Armada, Atomic, Black Diamond, Blizzard, Drake Powder Tools, Dynastar, Elan, Fat-ypus,Fischer, Faction, Hart, Icelantic,High Society, K2, Liberty, Line, Lib Tech, Movement, Nordica, Palmer, Prior, Rossignol,Roxy, Salomon, Scott, Stockli, Surface, Switch, Unity, Volkl
