Head Absolut Joy Women's Skis + Joy 9 GW Bindings 2023

One of our most popular women's all mountain skis, the Absolut Joy, got an impressive upgrade recently with karuba wood used in the core which, as we expected, boosted its appeal even further. The karuba keeps the ski lightweight and improves the stability in variable snow as well as increasing grip. Adding to the lightweight theme, Graphene is used to fine-tune the flex, making the ski feel supremely balanced even when the snow gets rough. It's got a huge performance bracket that satisfies skiers from intermediate right up to advanced level and it's a worthy winner of many awards.Terrain Type & Ability LevelTerrain Type It's an all mountain ski, but a piste focused one. The majority of time will be spent following marked runs, its width and smooth flex are ideal for dealing with rough snow when the trails chop up, because they're rarely perfectly groomed for long, but it isn't too wide to make it feel sluggish or slow to respond. It is also well suited for exploring off the sides, hunting some fresh snow or different challenges like trees or tracked-out snow.Skier TypeIntermediate and lighter advanced skiers who mainly stay on piste but who do enjoy more than groomed snow. Technique doesn't need to be perfect as the ski is not demanding to use and does have the grip to hold a carve, so it encourages progression of skills and allows the skier to be more adventurous. These traits also mean it's a lovely cruiser too.OverviewShapeIt has the curves of a piste ski, just with an slightly exaggerated waist and tip and, thanks to the lightweight materials used, it doesn't feel any heavier than a typical piste ski. The radius is on turny side, matching perfectly the requirement to spend hours cruising and turning on marked trails, and isn't too tight or long so it still helps to make skiing different terrain easier, remaining stable and manouevrable.RockerAllride Rocker uses tip rocker and camber underfoot; perfect for skiers who feel comfortable on any slopes. The rocker enables superior steering and increases floatation. The camber ensures grip and precision on hard snow.CoreA vertically laminated wood core has a composite sock around it. This combination results in good vibration control, no excess weight and a smooth ride that suits ambitious skiers who don't want all out power.ConstructionSuperlite Power Sidewall Jacket Construction is a mouthful, but it gives a lot of clues to what it does and how it's made. A cap construction enhances durability and sits on top of ABS Sidewalls which provide precise energy transmission. As well as the wood composite core, a layer of Graphene is used to keep the ski light but also increase the strength.Key FeatureseRA 3.0eRA 3.0 is a combination of technologies, shape and geometry using a targeted rocker at the tip with low rise, a progressive radius and vibration absorbing fibres. The rocker improves steering and enhances soft snow versatility. The progressive radius at the tip means that even though there is rocker, less angulation is required to get full edge contact, resulting in better grip. Intellifibers in the tip dampen vibrations for a smoother ride.GrapheneGraphene is the thinnest and lightest element ever discovered by mankind. It is also the strongest material on the planet, stronger than diamond and 300 times stronger than steel, all in the thickness of one atom. By using it in the construction Head can reduce weight and increase strength of the ski.eB tester’s comments: Sarah (Aviemore) I loved the life and energy of the ski. It's easy to use but surprisingly it doesn't mind being pushed at moderate speeds and is so stable yet lively too.Size (cm)Tip Width (mm)Waist Width (mm)Tail Width (mm)Radius (m)Weight (g)1481317910910.5.1531317910911.4.1581317910912.212231631317910914.1.General InformationSkier Ability: Intermediate|AdvancedRocker: Tip RockerRadius: ShortBase: SinteredBindings: Integrated, Joy 9 GW DIN: 2.5 - 9Construction: Mini Cap Full SidewallCore: Wood, Composite, GrapheneDemo: Yes