By Andrew Ingold
Head Oblivion 79 review
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Overview
The Oblivion 79 is a playful twin‑tip ski clearly aimed at park and pipe use, yet it remains capable on groomers and varied terrain. Its subtle PNP rocker in the tip and tail makes presses, butters and switch landings easier while camber underfoot retains edge grip and pop. With a narrow 79 mm waist the ski feels nimble and quick in short turns and on rails, but still provides enough stability for advanced riders who want a ski that doubles as a park and all‑mountain tool.
Construction & specs explained
Construction uses a vertically laminated wood core with twin‑tip shaping, carbon reinforcement and a highly transparent UHM sintered base. Tip widths of about 110–113 mm and tail widths of 104–107 mm help with float in soft landings and handle park feature contact. The 79 mm waist gives fast edge‑to‑edge response. Weight (≈1830 g per ski at 172 cm) affects pop and ease of spinning; radius examples (15–21 m depending on length) explain turn shape: shorter radii for tight turns, longer radii for stability.
On‑snow performance
On snow the Oblivion 79 feels forgiving and energetic. The PNP rocker lowers the learning curve for butters and switch; the twin‑tip invites flat tricks and riding switch. On firm groomers the camber underfoot and carbon layup keep the ski engaged, though at higher speeds it lacks the dampening of wider all‑mountain skis. Pop is decent for presses and ollies, and the flex balances pop with enough forgiveness so park laps feel easy day after day.
Comparisons & alternatives
Compared with pure park skis this model leans slightly more all‑mountain, while remaining playfully oriented. Against wider freestyle/all‑mountain twins in the 85–95 mm range it trades some float and high‑speed confidence for lighter, snappier handling. If you want a dedicated park tool expect more specialized pop and construction in other models; if you want one ski for park laps and groomers, the Oblivion 79 is a solid middle ground.
Verdict & who it's for
In short, the Oblivion 79 is best for intermediate to advanced freestylers who prioritize park performance but also value groomer capability. Strengths are park‑friendly rocker, twin‑tip versatility and lively response; drawbacks include limited deep‑snow performance and less high‑speed damping than broader skis. Choose a shorter length for maneuverability and tricks, a longer length for stability, and confirm binding plate or packaged binding options before buying.