e power joy review

Overview

The e-Power Joy was the top piste carver of Head's women's Joy collection in the 25/26 season. European shops usually list it as the e-Power Joy SW, sold as a set with the Joy 12 GW PRD binding; the SW is part of Head's set name, because those listings give exactly the same sidecut, radius and lengths as listings without it. For 26/27 Head dropped the "e-": the Head Power Joy is the same ski, and Head's page shows the same 113/70/98 mm shape, the same radius per length and 1923 g at 163 cm, against 1920 g in Snowleader's 25/26 listing. Titanal over a poplar core makes it the race-inspired model of the line, and Head rates it Expert, On Piste and Fast.

On-snow performance

This is a ski for fast, committed carving on hard snow. The Speed Rocker has only 10% tip rocker over 90% camber, so almost the whole edge is in contact from the start of the turn, and titanal over the poplar core adds hold and damping at speed. Head's text for this generation says a new shape lengthened the sidecut for more versatility. The radius runs from 13.1 m at 153 cm to 17.3 m at 173 cm, so the size you pick changes the character: 153 and 158 hold a medium, slalom-like arc, while 168 and 173 want long, open turns on wide pistes. At low speed the ski asks for real input, and with a 70 mm waist it has no role off the piste.

Construction & specs explained

• Core: poplar wood core with titanal.
• Construction: Worldcup Sandwich Cap construction and LYT Tech with graphene and fibreglass.
• Damping: EMC (Energy Management Circuit).
• Stance: Better Balance base with a 0.75° ramp at every length.
• Base: RD Race Structured UHM C.
• Rocker: Speed Rocker, 10% tip rocker / 90% camber / 0% tail rocker.
• Sidecut: 113/70/98 mm at every length; radius 13.1 m (153), 14.1 m (158), 15.1 m (163), 16.2 m (168), 17.3 m (173).
• Weight: 1920 g per ski without binding at 163 cm.
• Binding: Joy 12 GW PRD (PRD 12 GW) on Head's PowerRail PR base; some shops paired the same ski with a Protector PR 13 GW instead.

Who it's for & comparisons

The e-Power Joy suits an expert or strong advanced woman who spends her days on groomed runs, likes speed and has the technique to bend a stiff ski. If you want the Joy feel with less effort, the Head Super Joy is lighter (1635 g at 163 cm) and uses carbon instead of metal. The Blizzard Phoenix r14 pro is a close rival with two titanal layers, a 69–70 mm waist and a race plate, in more sizes from 145 to 175 cm. For short turns the Blizzard Phoenix sl is the sharper tool, with full camber and 13 m at 160 cm; the e-Power Joy is the better pick for longer, faster arcs.

Pros, cons and verdict

Pros

• Titanal and poplar give strong edge hold at speed.
• The radius grows with length, so you can choose a shorter or longer turn.
• Five lengths from 153 to 173 cm, including a long 173.
• EMC damping keeps the ride calm on hard snow.
• Better Balance base (0.75° ramp) for a centred, balanced stance.

Cons

• Heavy for a women's ski at 1920 g per ski (163 cm).
• Needs speed and technique; tiring for intermediates.
• The 70 mm waist limits it to groomed runs.
• System binding: no flat or touring binding option.

Verdict: The most demanding carver of the 25/26 Joy line, sold under its old name and the same ski as today's Power Joy. Choose it for fast skiing on hard groomers; pick a lighter Joy if you ski at a relaxed pace.