Head
Head has also arrived in the freetouring or light freeriding segment and presents the new KORE series. In trendy, simple black, three models cover the medium widths of 93mm, 105mm and 117mm. A moderate rocker lifts the shovel, which has a slight early taper. The tails are slightly upturned but no twintips.
Armada
Armada is also launching a new "freetouring" series with the Tracer series. The flagship model is the Tracer 118 CHX, which is designed to be both light and stable. For women, there is the counterpart of the "Trace" series, with similar shapes and constructions. The JJ is now part of the freestyle/all-mountain ARV series, has been fundamentally revised (smoother running, slightly longer sidecut) and, similar to the Atomic Bentchetler, has a rounded nose for supposedly more float. Unlike the Atomic, the edge doesn't go all the way through, but still all the way around the tip (see gallery).
K2
K2 presented the Marksman last year. To match this all-mountain model, the Catamaran is now also available as an asymmetrical powder ski with a 120mm waist width. The direct successor to the Shreditor 120, which is very similar to its predecessor in terms of flex behavior, is likely to pave the way for many asymmetric powder skis. It will be interesting to see whether the other manufacturers will soon follow suit. The Powabunga, which is very popular with some skiers, is no longer in the range, but the old Pon2oon has been relaunched. In the directional skis, the Pinnacle series, the 118 remains unchanged, but the rocker on the narrower models has been shortened slightly to enable a sportier ride together with a slightly more stable core.
Blizzard
Blizzard has also given its top freeride model Spur a clearly asymmetrical sidecut (30m, 26m) including beveled tip and tail designs. The aesthetics are pleasing (to some) and the ski is said to ride superbly. Another gimmick: sidewalls that are clearly raised towards the center of the ski are supposed to provide even more lift when edging up. It is said that the principle was copied from surfboards. The Bodacious uses even more titanal in the ski.