No brand is more obsessed with carving accuracy than Head. The Super Joy is right in Head’s wheelhouse, a Frontside ski that isn’t interested in experimenting with conditions that ruffle its featherweight construction. The Super Joy is at its most joyous on freshly groomed trails where, if the skier slows the pace to a trot, she can feel the snow ripple underfoot.
The Super Joy’s extraordinary snow feel is attributable to Graphene™, as this absurdly strong material allows Head to eliminate heavier materials that muffle this sort of subtle feedback. If there’s a trade-off for this sensitivity, it’s a prejudice in favor of the petite; bigger skiers can overload the Super Joy.
The Yumi can play several different roles in a woman’s life. It can be the first new ski for a teenager who has grown up on hand-me-downs. For the mother who’s watched every other family member get new skis while she’s soldiered on with relics, it can be her first experience with a modern ski. The Yumi is also a great catch for the woman who’s spent her humdrum ski life on groomers and is ready to try an occasional foray off trail.
The Yumi works wonders as a step-up ski for the intermediate skier of any age. It can be skied skillfully or somewhat crudely; the Yumi isn’t judgmental. It’s in the self-esteem business, building a woman’s skills. Once the skier acquires technical talent, the Yumi is ready and able to perform at higher speeds and more exaggerated edge angles.
In brief, it’s a beauty. Built on the bones of the MX84, it’s covered in carbon, enough to absorb shocks measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale. The only other ski in its league in this department is the Stöckli Laser AX, our top Power pick. The power pumped out by the MX Limited is like that of a placid river: it seems to move calmly and effortlessly while it’s cutting its way through solid stone.
Rossignol’s Temptation 84 Carbon is geared for the gal who isn’t trying to overload her Fitbit™. She’s hoping for a reliable, responsive ski that will take care of her on all the trails she prefers. The Temptation 84 is this sort of Goldilocks ski, comfortable operating between the extremes of absolute power and delicate finesse.
The Vantage X series debuts this season, finally retiring the Nomads to their tents. The improvements are many and manifest, making the Vantage X 83 CTi, lighter, stronger and more connected to the snow than the Crimson Ti on its best day.
The single most significant new component is the Carbon Tank Mesh, a full-body weave of reinforcement that punches way above its weight class. Another new feature that intensifies edge grip without adding many ounces is Firewall, a square sidewall that’s extra-high underfoot, increasing torsional rigidity and energy transmission.
