In the world of all-mountain skis, the Salomon Stance 96 and the Head Kore 99 are two top contenders for the 2023 season. Both skis are designed for advanced to expert skiers and offer a blend of performance, versatility, and durability. The Salomon Stance 96 is a well-balanced, metal-reinforced ski that is smooth and quiet while remaining energetic and playful. It's a great ski for skiers who love to charge but want something with just enough forgiveness to be fun in less-than-ideal conditions. On the other hand, the Head Kore 99 is a light, versatile, all-mountain charger that is surprisingly stable and responsive to aggressive skier input over a wide variety of conditions. It's a great ski for those looking for a very stable all-mountain ski that handles variable snow conditions at speed. Both skis have their strengths and weaknesses, and the choice between the two will largely depend on your personal skiing style and preferences.

Salomon Stance 96 Skis · 2023 summary

The Salomon Stance 96 is a well-balanced, metal-reinforced, all-mountain ski that is smooth and quiet while remaining energetic and playful. This ski is designed for skiers who love to charge but want something with just enough forgiveness to be fun in less-than-ideal conditions. The Stance 96 is a great ski for skiers who love to charge, but want something with just enough forgiveness to be fun in less-than-ideal conditions. It's a great ski for skiers who love to charge, but want something with just enough forgiveness to be fun in less-than-ideal conditions.

The Stance 96 is a directional all-mountain charger that stands out from its competition thanks to its reasonable price point and nuanced construction. In a category where most skis do the main thing well—carve really fast on all snow—the Stance does the other things really well. It is happy to ski the additional bump and it loves to make all lengths of turns.

The Stance 96 is a great "one-ski-quiver" for directional all-mountain skiers who want a stable, damp, reliable carver that they can grab regardless of conditions. Expert skiers will be pleased with the energy and versatility the Stance provides when compared with other heavy, metal ski options like the Voelkl Mantra or K2 Mindbender. Athletic intermediate skiers will enjoy the Stance's stable, confidence-inspiring platform but could find the ski cumbersome in tighter spots like bumps and trees.

Head Kore 99 Skis · 2023 summary

The Head Kore 99 is a light, versatile, all-mountain charger that is surprisingly stable and responsive to aggressive skier input over a wide variety of conditions. It's a great ski for those looking for a very stable all-mountain ski that handles variable snow conditions at speed. If you are a lighter person, consider sizing short, as some skiers have reported having trouble flexing this ski enough.

The Kore 99 is a great "one-ski-quiver" for directional all-mountain skiers who want a stable, damp, reliable carver that they can grab regardless of conditions. Expert skiers will be pleased with the energy and versatility the Kore 99 provides when compared with other heavy, metal ski options like the Voelkl Mantra or K2 Mindbender. Athletic intermediate skiers will enjoy the Kore 99's stable, confidence-inspiring platform but could find the ski cumbersome in tighter spots like bumps and trees.

The Head Kore 99s really unlock the whole mountain for skiers. They are lightweight, great on accents, stable at high speeds (especially in choppy snow conditions), and have an awesome edge grip for a mid-fat ski.

Similarities

Both the Salomon Stance 96 and the Head Kore 99 are designed for advanced to expert skiers and are built to handle a variety of conditions. They are both all-mountain skis that are versatile and can handle everything from groomers to powder. Both skis are designed to be stable at high speeds and have excellent edge grip. They are both also designed to be lightweight and nimble, making them great for a variety of turn shapes and conditions. Both skis are also praised for their durability and build quality.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both skis are designed for advanced to expert skiers, they each have their unique strengths and weaknesses. The Salomon Stance 96 is a well-balanced, metal-reinforced ski that is smooth and quiet while remaining energetic and playful. It's a great ski for skiers who love to charge but want something with just enough forgiveness to be fun in less-than-ideal conditions. This ski is ideal for skiers who want a stable, damp, reliable carver that they can grab regardless of conditions.

On the other hand, the Head Kore 99 is a light, versatile, all-mountain charger that is surprisingly stable and responsive to aggressive skier input over a wide variety of conditions. It's a great ski for those looking for a very stable all-mountain ski that handles variable snow conditions at speed. This ski is ideal for skiers who want a ski that is light, nimble, and makes all kinds of turn shapes.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

1. Versatility: Both skis are highly versatile, but the Head Kore 99 might have a slight edge due to its lighter weight and ability to handle a wider variety of conditions.
2. Stability: Both skis are stable at high speeds, but the Salomon Stance 96, with its metal reinforcement, might offer a bit more stability, especially on hardpack and icy conditions.
3. Weight: The Head Kore 99 is the clear winner here. It's designed to be ultra-lightweight, making it more nimble and easier to maneuver.
4. Durability: Both skis are praised for their durability, but the Salomon Stance 96, with its metal reinforcement and high-quality construction, might have a slight edge.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Salomon Stance 96 and the Head Kore 99 are excellent choices for advanced to expert skiers looking for a versatile, all-mountain ski. The Salomon Stance 96 offers a well-balanced, metal-reinforced design that is smooth and quiet while remaining energetic and playful. The Head Kore 99, on the other hand, is a light, versatile, all-mountain charger that is surprisingly stable and responsive to aggressive skier input over a wide variety of conditions. The choice between the two will largely depend on your personal skiing style and preferences. If you prefer a ski that is stable and damp with a bit of forgiveness, the Salomon Stance 96 might be the ski for you. If you prefer a ski that is light, nimble, and can handle a wide variety of conditions, the Head Kore 99 might be the better choice.