Ski Canada Test 2019 On-Slope Reviews
LYT IS RIGHT
Normally the thickness of a ski tapers from thickest at the centre under the binding to thinner at the tip and tail. Head flipped this norm around for its V-Series. More mass at the tip and tail helps start and finish the carve, says Head. Digging the edge in at the beginning and holding it until the end helps with two trouble spots for a lot of skiers. The V-Series is impressively light for a frontside ski. It uses a karuba wood core and graphene from tip to tail. The five-ski family ranges from a beginner-friendly ski to a rocket ship. All are tight-turn focused with radii under 14m.
(from $495-$1,022; head.com)
HEAD V6
$802 * BEST FOR: Intermediate skiers looking to progress.
LENGTHS: 149, 156, 163, 170, 177 * RADIUS: 13.5@170 * SIDECUT: 132/78/113
Looking to advance without outgrowing a ski? The V6 is George Terwiel’s prescription: “It’s fun and well-suited to intermediate through advanced skiers looking for a playful, confidence-building ski.” Part of Head’s new V-series, the V6 sits in the middle with a little less width and performance than the V10, which our testers also really liked. The entire family is made with Koroyd and graphene, cutting-edge materials that are super lightweight but maintain vibration dampening and plenty of torsional stability. Add a unique ski construction that gets thicker toward the tip and tail, rather than the usual taper, and all the V-skis hooked up easily and rode the edge with little effort. “This ski is light underfoot but not light on the edge,” said Meredith Youmans of the V6. “Ski fast or slow and anywhere you want to go. Great off-piste and groomer ski.” The V6 had a “precision edge feel,” said Terwiel. Others found it quick edge-to-edge and really fun in moguls.
