The 2027 Head Kore 88 TI with Salomon Strive 14 GW Bindings is built for all-mountain versatility on a narrow waist. A light karuba and beech wood core, two titanal layers, and a long tip-to-tail rocker profile combine into a ski that floats better than its narrow waist suggests while still carving with authority once the snow firms up. We paired the Kore 88 TI with the Strive 14 because of this binding’s well known reputation for safety, reliability, and ease of use. Featuring an LDN toe piece that optimizes contact and response, these bindings integrate seamlessly with boots and skis, allowing for a natural flex and balanced stance, making them the perfect choice to pair with this ski.

Why we like it:

The lighter topsheet shaves swing weight and adds a measure of damping that makes this ski feel calmer than its size would have you expect.

Who it's for:

Strong skiers after a frontside-leaning all-mountain ski that does not feel like a one-note carver. It suits skiers who log most of their days on trail but want something that can take a chopped-up woods lap in stride.

Highlights:

Quick is the word for this one. The narrow build snaps from edge to edge in trees and bumps, and an 88 mm waist keeps it nimble where wider skis feel like a handful. Two titanal layers sit above and below the core for the damping and torsional stability that keep things composed on hard snow, while the karuba and beech mix keeps the weight down. Graphene reinforcement adds strength without heft, and a rockered shape blends easy initiation with full edge engagement through the middle of the turn. At the core is the three-part heel, which delivers the secure boot retention the Strive line is known for while keeping weight reasonable. Salomon's elastic travel keeps the binding planted through chatter and cut-up snow, so it does not get knocked offline easily. The LDN toe spreads lateral input across an extra-wide pedal for crisp edge-to-edge power transfer, and a sliding toe pedal lets the ski bend underfoot for a more natural flex. The whole assembly rides on a low-profile chassis that drops the stance and centers the skier over the ski. It accepts both standard alpine and GripWalk boot soles, and the binding is TUV certified.

Things to consider:

it's a relatively short-turning ski for the category, which makes it a treat in trees and bumps but means it cedes some high-speed stability to the longer-turning siblings further up the Kore line. It also leans frontside, so for more soft-snow range the Kore 94 TI is the better starting point.

Fit & sizing considerations:

True to length is the rule here; most skiers are happy on their usual length. Bumping up a length lends composure when you open it up.