Head ran its entire Kore collection through the re-design wringer only last season, so it was a bit of a surprise when only a year later all the Kores were given another collection-wide enhancement, in the form of a urethane topsheet. Chosen primarily for its protective qualities, the urethane layer also added a noticeable dose of smoothness to what was already a fabulous ski.
A close examination of the cumulative scores for the 2023 Kore 93 compared to its immediate predecessor’s strongly suggests that the addition of a tip-to-tail shock silencer improved every trait we track. In light of the evidence, we’re anointing the 2023 Kore series as “new,” even though everything else about the 2022 and 2023 versions is identical.
We are fortunate to have as a regular contributor to Realskiers test program, Jim McGee of Peter Glenn’s, who was so impressed with the 2022 iteration that he bought a pair. So, McGee knows of what he speaks when he notes, “Head took an almost perfect ski and improved it. Even more grip and better dampening. I sold a bunch of my other skis because of the Kore 93.”
Fellow Peter Glenn stalwart Mark Rafferty was singing from the same hymnal when he mused, “Every now and then a perfect ski comes along. The Head Kore 93 was already almost there. This upcoming season’s model of the ski has nailed it. Strong, quick, comfortable, fast, grippy. All the things you hope for when you head down the hill. The latest Kore 93 comes though better than anything. And an intermediate skier would feel great on it but as that same skier improves, this ski would be right there to bring you to that higher level.”
If the Kore 93’s personality profile could be condensed to a single word it would be, “intuitive.” All the skier has to do is aim. The ski is so light, it feels effortless to steer, yet you can rev it up to the red line and it stays the course. “Great ski for the 85 to 95mm group,” crowed Jim Schaffner from Start Haus. “Did everything well with style and expertise! These skis will work well for a wide range of performance and snow conditions. Close to being the one ski quiver.” Note that the XXL Schaffner was on a 177cm – short for his size – yet the Kore 93 didn’t wilt under pressure.
The Kore 93 has been shattering preconceptions about what a lightweight, off-trail ski can do since its inception, and it’s only gotten better. In last season’s re-design, Head cut out the honeycomb Koroyd component in its core’s center section, replacing it with an all-wood mix of poplar and Karuba. Graphene remains the difference-maker, as Head can move it around the ski to change flex with virtually no effect on mass. Head tweaked its Graphene distribution across the Kore line in 2022, so that narrower models like the Kore 93 would have more bite on the firm snow they’ll be on half their lives, while fatties like the Kore 111 got an extra dose of drift and deflection.
Along with the new flex pattern and more wood in its guts, all the 2022 Kores changed their size run, so length selection can be more targeted. The current Kore 93 comes in six sizes, from a teensy 156cm to a beastly 191cm. Capping the changes across the Kore collection was a chamfered top edge with two welcome benefits: the ski can be foot-steered laterally with less resistance and the top surface is less likely to be damaged above the edge, where it’s most vulnerable to wear and tear. The urethane top sheet added this year will provide an extra coat of protection.
Last season, I was blessed to hop on a 2022 Kore 93 just moments after dismounting a Kore 111. The conditions were hacked-up, wind-affected powder, nearly ideal conditions for measuring any ski’s off-trail chops. I was prepared for it to be very good; I didn’t expect it to knock my socks off.
Of course, the Kore 93 couldn’t match the flotation of the Kore 111, but it was otherwise so quick and stable I didn’t mind being a bit more in the snow than on it. Unlike the fatter ski, the Kore 93 was tight-radius friendly at all times, a real bonus in the trees where sudden cornering is critical. Back on the open trail, the Kore 93 was simplicity itself to guide from pillow to pillow in the track-riven slope.
I’d say the transition to the groom was seamless, as if there were no transition at all. At some point, you stop noticing how light the Kore 93 is and just enjoy the ride. There’s nothing to adapt to; you just ski. It’s the epitome of forgiveness and ease, the qualities for which it earned its highest marks. Bill Allen of Peter Glenn was so gobsmacked by 2023 Kore 93’s versatility all he could muster in the way of a comment was the ultimate superlative: “The best ski ever made.”
The Kore 93’s fab Finesse qualities make it one of the few elite skis that can address the needs of all skiers, regardless of ability. It’s able to serve skiers of all stripes because of its accurate and extensive size selection. Head is well aware that the skier buying a 156cmm has a different bundle of needs and expectations from the guy who belongs on a 191cm, so the Kore 93 is calibrated by size to reflect this reality.
Because it’s a great choice for all skiers, with a particular emphasis on energy preservation, we again award the Kore 93 a Silver Skier Selection.
