Monster IM 78 SW:
Hungry all-terrain
freeride ski with a good bite on the slopes and a monstrous appetite
for powder.
Powder to piste
ratio: 50/50.
Like the i.M 88, the
Monster 78 has a sturdy, race-like construction. No wonder its
defining attributes are unshakable stability and a greed for speed.
Intelligence fibers add an extra dose of torsional rigidity, which
helps with a sidecut this deep.
With its 78-mm waist, it'll rip on
hard snow with Head-like competence.
The Head Monster iM
78 skis are hungry all-mountain freeride skis with good bite on the
slopes and a monstrous appetite for powder.
Crud performance was good, but
those looking for more float should consider the i.M 88.
With newly reinforced
sidewall construction, the Head Monster iM 78 is a force to be
reckoned with.
Skill:
experts
Terrain:
50% deep snow, off-piste,
50% groomed slopes
Style:
very good skiing technique
Speed:
fast
Review:
The first thing you
notice is the interesting design, with its orange graphics on a
greenish-brown background. The second thing you notice is how easily
and effortlessly this one turns. The Head Monster 78 is a wonderful
ski that did not fail to impress me on the slopes and powder alike
(yes, we did have some fresh powder on testing day!!). It is
reactive and offers excellent edge grip assisted by a new reinforced
sidewall construction. You get incredible power transfer to your
edges. We had some crunchy and somewhat icy conditions on another
testing day and the edges held up very nicely (especially regarding
the fact that the edges on the model I tested had not been tuned for
a few weeks). I ended up skiing a somewhat longer ski length than
would have been my own preference (this one was 171 cm, and I would
personally go for the 165 cm version), but those 171 cm turned like
butter requiring surprisingly little effort. It handles higher
speeds very well, easily initiates turns, and shines with a strong
torsional rigidity for a superb edge grip.
