2023 Head Kore 105

With a quick refresh for 2023, the Head Kore 105 gets a graphics update and a different topsheet material. While the graphics are cool, we’re more excited about the implementation of a real topsheet versus the polyester layer that graced the previous year’s Kore 105. This makes it a bit damper and more resistant to chipping and peeling. Those things still happen, of course, as it happens to all skis, but the 2023 certainly seems a bit tougher. Built with a blend of poplar and karuba in the wood core, the 105 gets two layers of carbon, with the top laminate matching the curved and chamfered edge of the ski. By placing the upper layer of carbon in a 3-dimensional manner, the stiffness and responsiveness are boosted, giving the Kore 105 a tremendous amount of strength and power while keeping the weight to a minimum. In the 184, we see a turn radius of 17.8-meters, which is right about average for this width and shape. Additionally, rocker profile and taper shape are well-rounded, offering the right amount of float and effective edge for a blend of all-mountain and freeride disciplines.

Bob St.Pierre got to ski the 184 quite a few times this year. He notes that the “length is good. I don’t think I’d go with the 191 mainly because I like the turn shape of the 184. It certainly skis true to size.” Bob scored the ski top marks of 5 out of 5 for torsional stiffness and edge hold with 4’s going for versatility, overall impression, stability, quickness, maneuverability, and flotation. Lower scores of 3’s for playfulness and forgiveness make some sense due to the stiff flex of the 105. “While I didn’t get to ski it in very deep snow, we did have a good amount of soft stuff to play in during my time on the 105. Full disclosure—I like the 99 and the 93 better, but the 105 is still a very impressive ski. I’m a huge fan of the stiffness, as a heavier skier, as it provides a lot of responsiveness but is still agile and strong. It’s a very unique and interesting blend of attributes, and for bigger skiers who like to drive, it works out quite well. The spoony tip shape is easy to initiate and is very smooth in a variety of snow conditions and terrain. Very quick in the woods, but not quite as playful as something like Bent Chetler 100. That’s okay, though, because when you get back on trail, the Kore 105 really lights it up in a good way. Overall, this is a very competent ski with great grip and float, and you don’t always see those things going together.”

Dave Hatoff skied the 177 and noted that it felt just right. He scored the ski 5’s out of 5 for stability, flotation, quickness, and maneuverability. He had 4’s for overall impression, versatility, torsional stiffness, edge hold, forgiveness, and playfulness. These are some high scores for the 105, and we’re stoked to see the consistency as well. Dave calls it “Light and strong. These things get better the faster you ski. For a wide ski, quite maneuverable. Great floater.” David Wolfgang had a lot of nice things to say and high scores to record about his 184 cm test length Kore 105. He started by noting that the sizing was good for him, and that’s another highlight of these Kore skis. They tightened the gap between sizes last year, from 9 cm to 7, and are offered in different lengths. David is one of those skiers, who previously would have been caught between the 180 and the 189. His top scores of 4’s out of 5 were given for flotation, stability, playfulness, quickness, maneuverability, versatility, and overall impression. A low score of 3 was given for torsional stiffness and edge grip, but overall, these are consistently high scores for a 105. He could tell that the ski wanted to float as a result, noting that the Kore is a “Playful ski that loves the spring. Of course, this ski was yearning for powder. Easy to initiate. Dives in and jumps out of the turn.” That energy out of the turn is worth noting, as this is one of the key differences in the changes between previous Kores and this one.

With slight tweaks to both graphics and construction, the 2023 Head Kore 105 remains one of the most intriguing skis in its category. It has a very interesting blend of stiffness, responsiveness, agility, and maneuverability. They’ve done a great job at making the ski a bit quieter with the new top sheet, and that’s good news for skiers who may have found the sound to have some carbon pinginess to it.