The Head V-Shape series, introduced two years ago, is a Frontside collection that spans the full range of ski abilities from never-ever to carving master. Bear in mind that Head has another well-established family of Frontside carvers called Supershape, but there’s no confusing the LYT Tech construction of the V-Shapes with the brawny, metal-laden Supershapes. The V-Shapes’ lay-up replaces two sheets of Titanal with Graphene and Karuba, a giant leap in less-ness.

The V-Shape V8 is a step down from the top rung V10, so it’s not aiming at the best skiers on the hill, but the mass of intermediates who have no interest in working while they play. As long as it’s rolling edge to edge, the V8 is calm and accurate. A game improvement ski for the groomed run skier, the V-Shape V8 can be paired with a LYT boot to further minimize the mass one has to toss around. A short-turn specialist that’s in its bliss on prepared slopes, the V-Shape V8 behaves beautifully as long as it isn’t forced to fend for itself off trail.