2025 Head Kore 111

Unchanged other than a slight graphic update, the Kore 111 brings forward its joyful exuberance. In the world of wider-bodied and carbon-powered skis, the 2025 Head Kore 111 is basically in a league by itself. There are few other skis out there that can embody this type of strength to weight ratio, resulting in a unique ski that can handle a lot of soft snow as well as ripping through technical zones as well. While we’re hard-pressed to find something that operates on the exact same level, this puts the Kore 111 in rare air. The ski is best suited for softer and deeper snow and the light weight makes it a great floater. That said, the stiffness and strength of the ski are not to be understated or undervalued in the freeride world—many skis of this width are considerably more flexible and playful. As such, there’s not a huge demand for a ski like this, but if you’re in the market for a wide and stiff freeride ski that’ll operate well at high speeds and in technical terrain, the Kore 111 will be right there for you. Our testers found that the Kore 111 was an absolute blast this year, thankful mainly to the fact that we had fresh snow this March.

The build of the ski is as sophisticated as it is useful. In the core of the Kore, we’re getting a blend of poplar and karuba wood that has two carbon laminates on either side. On the top, the carbon layer is curved to match the chamfer of the topsheet. The ski is only half-cap, half-sidewall, with the cap being the curved part. When carbon is curved in a manner like this, it becomes a lot stiffer and stronger. The bottom carbon layer is flat and runs along between the base and the core. With each of these layers, we also get a damping laminate and fiberglass that allow for a quiet and energetic ride. Carbon by itself can have an unnerving ping to it, so applying the damping layers makes a lot of sense. Impressively, the 184 tips the scales at 1846 grams, which is on the light side for how strong it is. Sure, there are wide and light skis, but those tend to be more flexible and of a lower performance character. These Kore 111’s are all there in terms of power. Conversely, there are also skis out there of this width that rely on multiple sheets of metal for stability and strength. Those lack the maneuverability or agility of the Kore 111, putting this ski in a specific place in the freeride canon. Tester Matt Testa notes that this was “One of my favorite skis in the test, the Head Kore 11 was a standout in the soft snow. Its playful shape and light weight made it an absolute blast to surf through the snow and very stable bouncing from mogul to mogul.”

The shape of the ski blends perfectly with the build. As the Kore skis increase in width, so does the rocker and taper. Resultingly, the 111 gets the most taper and rocker other than the behemoth 117. There’s a spoony tip shape, long rocker, and minimal camber underfoot. If a ski that’s this stiff has a lot of camber, it’s going to lose a lot of playfulness, so that’s why they’re keeping the ski on the flatter/more rockered side of the spectrum. It’s surprisingly drifty for the stiffness, and it’s a joy to ski in softer snow as it’s not at all tiring or demanding. This is the big plus for a ski like this for advanced and expert skiers who don’t want to lug around a hefty ski with metal. The ski’s waist is bolstered by 139 mm tips and 126 mm tails to create a turn radius of 21.9-meters in the 184. This is straighter than most and offers a direct path to the fall line if you choose to take it. Matt McAlary notes that “It felt precise and playful at the same time. When you flex this ski you can feel the energy build. Really subtle but cool feeling I haven't felt in other skis it feels like the more you flex it the more energy it puts back into your boot.”

Do not overlook this Kore 111. We recommend taking that path and skiing the Kore 111 rather aggressively. It’s a lot of fun and has a lot to offer in the stability and power departments. Since it’s light, it’s not so taxing on the legs, offering up a wider option with high performance for skiers who prefer something that’s not so bulky or hefty. We’ve loved the 111 since inception as it blurs that line between casual freeride and total powder. The reactivity is great and helps to place the Kore 111 in a unique spot in skis of this width and shape. In a somewhat crowded world of ~110 mm skis, the Kore stands out and surprised a lot of testers with its versatility and control.