The All-Mountain East genre tries to straddle two worlds, so it shouldn’t surprise that one of its finest exemplars, Head’s Kore 93, should be a bundle of contradictions. For starters, it’s easy to pivot – all the better to drift a bit in off-trail conditions – yet Head won’t build a ski that can’t carve, so the Kore 93 is a more than competent carver. Second, despite considerable tip taper, once on edge and rolling edge grip feels continuous and turn finish well supported. Third, it feels almost eerily light, yet the ride is damp and the flex is anything but flimsy.

Even though the Kore 93 can handle itself on hardpack, its natural habit is off-trail, where its tapered tip, pivot-friendly midsection and easy-release tail can navigate crud without inadvertently hooking up. Skiers who are strong both physically and technically may overpower it on hard snow, but most mortals will find it easy to guide from a centered stance.

The secret to the Kore 93’s success is Graphene, carbon in a one-atom thick matrix, that’s 300 times stronger than steel. Head combines it with Karuba, a superlight wood, and Koroyd, a synthetic honeycomb, to make a structure that’s damp yet reactive and most of all, light.

For the second year in a row, testers raved about the Kore 93. “Easy to turn, light yet stable and fun for many types of terrain,” writes one. “This is the best light ski, so stable at speed. Super sick all mountain light core ski,” says another. “Awesome line of skis. Quick, light, damp ski. For the intermediate cruiser to hard charger,” chimes in a third fan. Another succinct summation: “Smooth, powerful, and fun. Makes the rider better.”

As we noted in this space last year, lighter weight has always had a particular appeal for women skiers, and the Kore 93 comes in 153cm, 162, and 171 lengths to accommodate the fairer (and lighter) sex. Our female testers espoused particular affection for the Kore 93. Because it delivers exceptional response with gentle inducement, we award the Kore 93 a Silver Skier Selection.