Head is a renowned global manufacturer of sports equipment that has been refining its products for over 70 years, creating innovative gear for skiers and snowboarders of every level. From the first metal skis to the use of modern materials such as graphene, Head strives to achieve the perfect balance between performance, comfort, and safety. Thanks to advanced technologies and thoughtful design, their equipment delivers stability and control on any slope, making every descent more comfortable and enjoyable.

The company was founded in 1950 by aeronautical engineer Howard Head, who revolutionized the ski industry with his innovative designs and technologies, setting new standards of performance, safety, and comfort.

History: from founding to the present day

Head’s story began when Howard Head, frustrated with the heavy and rigid wooden skis of the time, decided to apply his aviation expertise to ski design. He created the world’s first composite skis, combining a plywood core with aluminum and plastic. This innovation significantly improved the flexibility, control, and durability of skis. These metal skis, called the “Head Standard”, became extraordinarily popular and dominated the market throughout the 1950s and 1960s.

Over the following decades, Head expanded its range, producing not only skis but also tennis and diving equipment. However, its roots in the alpine ski industry remain a core part of the brand’s identity.

Overview of ski equipment

Head produces a wide range of ski equipment for all levels — from beginners to professionals. The lineup includes skis, snowboards, ski and snowboard boots, bindings, helmets, goggles, and ski poles. Every product is equipped with cutting-edge technologies and engineering precision, delivering high performance on the slopes.

Head skis:

1. Supershape Series
   One of the most popular series for groomed runs. Supershape skis are made for skiers who love high speed and sharp turns. Thanks to Graphene technology, they are exceptionally light and high-performing.

2. Kore Series
   This is a series for freeride. Kore skis are known for their agility on off-piste descents and their lightness, achieved through a combination of graphene and carbon. They deliver a smooth ride on challenging terrain.

3. V-Shape Series
   A series for All-Mountain skiing, focused on versatility. V-Shape skis are easy to control, making them suitable for both beginners and experienced skiers seeking comfort and stability across various types of terrain.

4. Worldcup Rebels Series
   Worldcup Rebels skis are designed for professionals and high-level competition. This series is used in FIS races and offers a high level of stiffness for maximum control at high speeds.

5. Joy Series
   A series created specifically for women. Joy skis are light, agile, and excellent for any type of skiing, from beginners to advanced riders.

Head snowboards:

1. Instinct Series
   This series is built for All-Mountain riding and is suitable for both groomed runs and off-piste. Instinct boards are known for their versatility and enhanced control on different types of terrain. They feature Hybrid Camber DCT and Graphene Construction technologies, making them light and stable.

2. Daymaker Series
   This series is also focused on All-Mountain riding. Daymaker boards stand out for their flexibility and improved stability, making them ideal for all-around riders.

3. Rocker Series
   A series focused on Freestyle riding. Rocker boards are made for tricks in parks and on slopes thanks to their flexibility and softness, making maneuvers and jumps easier.

4. Architect Series
   These are snowboards for Freestyle and Park riding, distinguished by excellent maneuverability and durability. They are designed for riders looking for a board to perform complex tricks and movements in parks.

5. Force Series
   Designed for Freeride, these boards deliver high stability and control even on the toughest off-piste descents.

Core technologies:

Graphene 

Graphene is a cutting-edge technology used by Head to enhance the performance of skis and snowboards. Graphene is an extraordinarily strong and lightweight material made of a single-atom-thick layer of carbon. It has unique properties — most notably high strength (200 times stronger than steel) and low weight — making it ideal for use in sports equipment.

How Graphene is used in Head products:

1. Lightness without losing stiffness
   Thanks to its extraordinary strength, graphene allows the amount of material in the construction of skis or snowboards to be reduced without sacrificing stiffness. This results in lighter equipment, easier maneuvering, and less fatigue while skiing.

2. Optimized weight distribution
   Graphene technology lets Head redistribute the mass of skis or snowboards, making them more flexible in some areas and stiffer in others. This helps tune the balance between agility and stability — for example, a lighter tip and tail for better maneuverability and a stiffer middle for steady control at high speeds.

3. Enhanced durability
   Although graphene-equipped gear is light, it doesn’t compromise on strength, making it resistant to damage and wear. This extends the lifespan of skis and snowboards, even with intensive use on demanding pistes or off-piste.

Properties and benefits of Graphene technology:

• Lightness: Skis and snowboards with graphene are significantly lighter than traditional models, making skiing and maneuvering easier.
• High stiffness: Despite its low weight, graphene gives gear high stiffness, which improves stability at high speeds.
• Adaptability: Equipment using graphene can adapt to different riding conditions thanks to variable weight distribution, making it versatile for any terrain.
• Longevity: The material is exceptionally strong and damage-resistant, ensuring product durability.

Applications:

• Skis: In Head skis, graphene helps reduce weight, improve maneuverability, and enhance ski response on demanding terrain.
• Snowboards: In snowboards, graphene strikes a fine balance between flexibility and stability, which is crucial for freestyle and freeride.

Thanks to Graphene technology, Head equipment becomes more performant, lighter, and more reliable, making it an ideal choice for athletes of every level.

ERA 3.0

ERA 3.0 is an innovative technology developed by Head to improve ski performance. It combines several key aspects of design and engineering that deliver better control, agility, and a smoother ride. ERA 3.0 sits at the intersection of three core elements: rocker, progressive radius, and intelligent fibers.

Key components of ERA 3.0:

1. Allride Rocker
   This component combines a classic camber (the curve of the ski) with a rocker (raised tip), making the skis more versatile. Rocker makes it easier to maneuver in soft snow and off-piste, reducing pressure on the front of the ski. It also promotes smoother turn entry and better grip on demanding terrain.

2. Progressive radius
   Skis with ERA 3.0 technology have a shorter radius at the tip, making it easier to start turns, and then gradually increase the radius in the middle. This helps maintain control and stability at high speeds and during sharp turns. The skis become more agile at low speeds while remaining stable when skiing fast.

3. Intellirise Rebound
   This is the use of intelligent fibers that adapt to riding conditions. These fibers are placed in the front of the ski and respond to vibration. The greater the speed and pressure on the skis, the more vibration the fibers absorb, providing smoother motion and stability on uneven surfaces.

Benefits of ERA 3.0:

• Easier maneuvering: Rocker and progressive radius make it easier to enter turns and better control the skis on different snow types.
• Improved stability: Intelligent fibers reduce vibration, making the ride smoother and more comfortable.
• Versatility: Skis with this technology are suitable both for groomed runs and off-piste, delivering excellent performance in a variety of conditions.

ERA 3.0 lets skis combine the agility beginners need with the stability experienced skiers demand, making skiing more comfortable and effective.

KERS

KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) is an innovative technology used in some Head skis to improve their performance. This system was first developed in Formula 1 to boost car speed, and Head adapted it for ski equipment.

How does KERS work on skis?

KERS technology uses special fibers in the ski’s construction that can store the energy generated during turns or ski deformation on the slope. As the ski bends through a turn, it accumulates energy. KERS stores this energy and releases it at the end of the turn, increasing the stiffness of the ski’s tail. This helps the skier exit turns faster and more efficiently, boosting the dynamics of the ride.

Key benefits of KERS:

1. Improved control and speed: by increasing stiffness at the exit of a turn, the skis become more controllable and respond more quickly.
2. Energy efficiency: KERS helps make rational use of skiing energy, providing more efficient motion on the slope.
3. Automatic adjustment: the system adapts to skiing speed and pressure, providing flexible handling in various conditions.

This technology makes skis more performant at high speeds, especially during sport skiing or on demanding slopes where dynamic turns and quick ski response matter.

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• Fischer: The story of the formation and success of one of the most famous ski equipment brands
• Carpathians and technology: how modern equipment is changing skiing in Bukovel