Head Wild One

[sdskiqueen]

Head Wild Ones 161

Skier: 5'4, 118 lbs. Level 7, Colorado Front Range

I bought these skis in October at Colorado Ski & Golf's annual sale. Didn't demo, but couldn't pass up the deal.

Was looking for a ski that could handle a variety of conditions as I am usually on the bumps and in the trees most of the day until my legs give out and then it's on the groomers.

My DH has the Head M82's and loves 'em in all conditions. The Wild Ones are the women's version of his ski.

I love the ski, but also have to admit that I've done alot of adjustments to my equipment as a result of going to Jeannie Thoren's seminar: New boots in a smaller size - was skiing on a boot that was two sizes too big, heel lifts, custom orthodics and cants on my skis.

But back to the ski. It's extremely stable in all conditions -- and I mean really, really stable. However, despite their stability, they're not boring and are very lively when you want to dance through the bumps. I actually am skiing the zipper line in the bumps on these skis! With a 81 waist it's not too wide to handle the bumps and the trees and still be able to bomb the hill on the groomers. So, forgive me if I didn't do a break down by short turns, stability, forgiveness, etc., because I just haven't found anything they don't do well. They perform great in everything I've thrown at them but are happiest when being pushed. Ski aggressively on these sticks and they'll reward you.

I usually ski a shorter ski - 154-157 but this ski in a 161 is great. Sometimes skiing with my DH, he can really get ahead of me on the flats skiing his longer skis and carrying alot more body weight than me (5'7, 180 lbs). I now have a fighting chance on these skis and can stay with him.

Read a critque from another Ski Diva that they can be slow, but that's not my experience. When I let them run, they will go as fast as I'm willing to push them. I received a stern warning on the hill through the "slow zone" because I was having too much fun letting loose.

Love the graphics as well. Definitely feminine, but not juvenille girly (no cartoon characters or poka dots).

If you're looking for a do everything, go anywhere ski, this is it!

 

[sdskiqueen]

Correction

Maybe not that it matters, but I took another look at the ski ability rating and I was way off. I think I'm around a Level 8 or 9 than a 7. (Only proviso - haven't had alot of time in deep powder - transplant from California. I know alot about Sierra cement).

Hand slap to myself - Didn't we talk about under estimating our abilities?

 

[Little Lightning]

Thanks for the review. I haven't demoed these skis but am looking at them as an eventual step up from my Lotta Luv's. Ski Press gave them a very good review, slightly better than the Tough Luvs, good skis for a lighter skier and said pretty much the same thing as you.

 

[sdskiqueen]

Glad you're thinking about the Wild Ones because I just think they're great. Have to mention also that in addition to reading great things about them, all the "technical" people, like the guy at the tune shop, the guy who did my cants, the owner of the Outdoor Diva store I go to, all had great things to say about the Wild Ones.

Reading reviews about skis is a good starting point, but personal testimonials, especially from people who know equipment, is an added bonus.

 

[Little Lightning]

Funny, I just took my skis to the Denver Outdoor Divas for a tune and had a chat about the Wild Ones. My Lotta Luvs have over a 100 ski days on them and I'm thinking they are just starting to lose their camber.

For me the options are limited because I won't buy a ski with a system binding, I need a ski for a lighter skier (105 lbs) and I need a good all mountain western ski because I'm skiing less groomed and more ungroomed.

My goal is to be able to ski "Kaboom" at Copper well (KP, don't laugh) then reward myself with a new ski. Outdoor Divas thinks I'll end up with a new Lotta Luv. Hmmmm, we'll see.

 

[SnowHot]

I skied the Wild Thang last year( this year's wild one) and really liked it in most conditions. The only area that it didn't make me grin was when the boyz were flying down the hill and I couldn't make them go faster, no matter what trick I pulled out of my tool box, they had a speed limit.
Never ever got unstable at speed, just wouldn't give me that extra zip to be on the tailz ov da boyz!

But then, that is not the area that they are supposed to excel.

They really do rock in the area that they were designed to rock!!!

 

[Little Lightning]

Here's the Ski Press review.

"One of a very few woman-specific skis to earn top-eight status in our Whistler test, Head’s Wild One truly is wild. The ski is versatile, strong, reliable and smart. It’s a ripper on fast groomers. But it’s playful in the bumps and off-piste, where the ski’s naughty personality quickly reveals itself. Don’t worry, say our female testers. Head’s Wild One may be wild, but secretly… it’s easily tamed".

Of course, I'll know more after I demo them.

 

[ski now work later]

Maybe not that it matters, but I took another look at the ski ability rating and I was way off. I think I'm around a Level 8 or 9 than a 7. (Only proviso - haven't had alot of time in deep powder - transplant from California. I know alot about Sierra cement). Hand slap to myself - Didn't we talk about under estimating our abilities?

After I read about you "zipper lining" the bumps, I thought hey, she's a level 8 or 9 skier! Glad you love the ski, they sound great!

 

[Little Lightning]

Woohoo! I bought these skis today. My shop dropped the price. I think I'm the only customer upset over a cheaper price because it put more pressure on me to make a decision, they only had 1 pair in my size left! I quickly dropped the cat off at the condo, changed clothes and ran over to Keystone to demo them. I didn't even take time to adjust my new boots! 3 runs on them and I was sold. It was snowing ,very wet and heavy, perfect snowman building snow, but the skis didn't seem to mind the clumps. I got a quick run on some bumps and they seemed very lively. The only drawback is the ramp angle of the demo binding is a little off for me. Even so, they were very stable and responded to everything I tried to do with them.

I'll give a full review after I get my skis set up with the correct binding. I can't wait to ski them again tomorrow at Keystone and Wednesday at Copper.

Thanks sdskiqueen for recommending them.

 

[skibum4ever]

If you enjoyed them in the "Colorado cement" we had today, imagine how much you'll like them in really good conditions. Congrats on what sounds like a great choice!

 

[Little Lightning]

It's been a long time since I've seen snow like today's. Channel 22 describes it as a "dense, wet blanket on the slopes". I actually had to dry out my helmet and goggles.

Can't wait to try them tomorrow, unless we get a really good dump, then the fats come out.

The snow is so heavy and wet that's it falling off the roof of our condo building. There are 2 floors above us but it sounds like an avalanche rumbling past my window.

Probably not the best day to try out new skis.

 

[sdskiqueen]

Little Lightning:

I am so glad you're feeling the love of the Wild Ones! Although I know some of the Divas have demoed them and are on their short list, I don't think they have gotten the love from the Divas they deserve. But there are soooo many skis out there, I can understand how a few may be overlooked.
I have now had some time on them this season and I'm still feeling "wild love". Hope to see you at Diva Ski Week. Maybe we can start our own Wild One fan club!

 

[volklgirl]

Given my experiences with other Head skis (Monster 78, Mojo Spawn, and Xenon 7.0), I'm not at all surprised by your love for this ski. The Wild One is the women's version of the 82, and I found the 78 to be a blazing fast all mountain ski that was solid and tons of fun.

Glad you found your happy ski!

 

[vanhoskier]

I'm looking to demo some Head skis (the iM82 and Wild One are on my list)....anyone know where in Summit CO I could demo?

 

[Little Lightning]

I don't know who has the Wild Ones in Summit Cty. I brought my demos up from Denver. Christy Sports sells them online, maybe the Dillon store has them. At Copper Peak Sports and Christy at the Super B lift does not have them for demo or sale.

Sdskiqueen, I'm going to Steamboat next week so I won't be around. I'm not even coming back for Women's Wed at Copper.
I do ski somewhere in Summit Cty during the week. Let me know if your coming up on a weekday and we can meet for a "Wild One" ski day.

Volkl girl, as much as I love my Lotta Luv, I'm feeling it's time for a move up. These skis seem to have so much more potential for me.

 

[sdskiqueen]

Sorry not to be able to see you at Diva Week. I usually ski in Summit County on the weekends. But before the season is over, my DH and I would like to use our Copper 2-for-1 coupons we got as swag when we went to see this year's Warren Miller movie. We have two of them, so that's two days guaranteed at Cooper - only provisio is that they can only used during the week. I'll check in with you when we plan to use them. Looking forward to seeing you!

 

[Little Lightning]

I pick up the Wild Ones on Sat.

We have the Rocky Mtn Super Pass Plus that includes 6 days at Steamboat. We were getting antsy because we hadn't made it there. About a month ago we got a really good deal on a condo on EBay. Didn't have a choice of weeks.

Let me know when you plan to ski Copper, I'm retired so I'm open for dates.