Buyer's Guide
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K2 divides its offerings into 3 major camps again this year.

1. All-Mountain Category for resort-based in bounds skiers.
2. Factory Team – Twin Tips Category of twin tips from backcountry to park.
3. Adventure Category is for skiers that ride off-piste.

K2 all-mountain skis for men and women have a unique vibration-damping system developed at the Boeing Test Labs. The first part is MOD technology, a secondary core element that acts as a mass damper and suspension system. It absorbs vibrations and impacts along the entire ski but does not impede smooth flexing because is moves independently from the main wood core. The second part is MOD Monic, a solid zinc mass attached to the MOD core. It is precisely located to damp vibrations in a targeted location. The MOD Monic mass is an X-shaped element on men’s skis and a specifically engineered tear drop-shaped weight on women’s skis.

Wood cores and hybrid sidewall-cap construction throughout the line.

Aftershock
86mm underfoot, 17 meter sidecut in 174cm length.
Available in 167, 174, 181cm.
The widest ski in the new A.M.P. series designed for ultimate all mountain versatility.
K2 rating: 30% groomed, 70% ungroomed. Baseline: All Terrain Rocker.

We Tried Them! »»»»»

Charger
74mm underfoot, 16 meter sidecut in 174cm length.
Available in 160, 167, 174, 181cm.
Designed for grip on the groomers.
K2 rating: 70% groomed, 30% ungroomed. Baseline: Speed Rocker.

Rictor
80mm underfoot, 16 meter sidecut in 174cm length.
Available in 160, 167, 174, 181cm.
A progressive sidecut combined with the generous waist allows this ski to perform on groomed as well as soft snow.
K2 rating: 50/50 groomed/ungroomed. Baseline: All Terrain Rocker.

Impact (New)
80mm underfoot, 16 meter sidecut radius in 174cm length.
Available in 153, 160, 167, 174cm.
Impact is Rictor with a Carbon web beefup instead of Titanal.
K2 rating: 60% groomed, 40% ungroomed. Baseline: All Terrain Rocker.

Photon (New)
76mm underfoot, 17 meter sidecut radius in 174cm length.
Available in 153, 160, 167, 174cm.
Old name but new ski. Aimed at recreational skiers.
K2 rating: 70% groomed, 30% ungroomed. Baseline: All Terrain Rocker.

Force (New)
74mm underfoot, 17 meter sidecut radius in 174cm length.
Available in 146, 153, 160, 167, 174cm.
Old name but new ski. Designed for learners.
K2 rating: 75% groomed, 25% ungroomed. Baseline: Catch-Free Rocker.

Stinger (New)
72mm underfoot, 16 meter sidecut radius in 177cm length.
Available in 149, 156, 163, 170, 177cm.
K2 calls this a perfect first ski.
K2 rating: 80% groomed, 20% ungroomed. Baseline: Catch-Free Rocker. 

This is what makes the Factory Team series different from all other K2 skis:

1. Different twin tip shapes. Modern twin tips for switch (backwards) skiing can vary to make them perform a certain way. So some K2 twins are optimized for skiing in the forward direction and others for skiing backwards just as easily as forward. A ski with identical shape forward and backward is mounted with the binding in the center of the ski.
2. All skis have special tip and tail hardware that accepts K2 skins for backcountry touring.
3. Twin Tech – this new construction method rolls the top sheet down into the sidewall forming an angle that is less prone to damage and failure. The sharp 90° angle of typical sidewall construction is not as durable.
4. Some models come equipped with Schizofrantic inserts, pre-drilled inserts that match the Griffon and Squire bindings.
5. Heavy duty construction. Wood cores are standard, vertical sidewalls are common and other less obvious features such as shock-absorbing sidewalls are found throughout the series. Another good example is the 3.5mm extra-thick edges. The standard edge thickness is 2.5mm but they don’t stand up to the abuse as well.

Hellbent
132mm underfoot, 22 meter sidecut in 179cm length.
Available in 169, 179, 189cm.
Schizofrantic inserts for Marker Griffon and Squire bindings.
K2 rating 90% powder, 10% park. Baseline: Powder Rocker.

ObSETHed
117mm underfoot, 23 meters in 179cm length.
Available in 169, 179, 189cm. Schizofrantic inserts for Marker Griffon and Squire bindings.
K2 rating 80% powder, 20% park. Baseline: Powder Rocker tip and All Terrain Rocker tail.

Kung Fujas (pronounced Foo-Hoss)
102mm underfoot, 19 meter sidecut in 179cm length.
Available in 169, 179, 189cm. Available with Schizofrantic binding inserts.
K2 rating: 60% all mountain, 40% park. Baseline: All Terrain Rocker.

Recoil (NEW)
90mm underfoot, 20 meter sidecut in 179cm length.
Available in 159, 164, 169, 174, 179cm. Available with Schizofrantic binding inserts.
K2 rating: 50% all mountain, 50% park. Baseline: All Terrain Rocker.

Domain
90mm underfoot, 21 meter sidecut in 179cm length.
Available in 159, 169, 179cm. Park-specific core and symmetrical sidecut makes this a jibbers favourite.
K2 rating: 20% all mountain, 80% park. Baseline: Jib Rocker.

Sight (NEW)
85mm underfoot, 20 meter sidecut in 179cm length.
K2 rating: 70% all mountain, 30% park. Baseline: All Terrain Rocker.

Press
85mm underfoot, 23 meter sidecut in 179cm length.
A park ski that is stiff underfoot and soft at both ends for buttering and presses.
K2 rating: 40% all mountain, 60% park. Baseline: Jib Rocker.

Lightweight Aspen, Bamboo and Paulownia wood cores are 15% lighter than those in the all-mountain series. All skis come equipped with attachment holes to allow climbing skins to stay secure and centered. Snowphobic topsheets on some models repel snow to prevent it from building up on top of the ski, adding weight. All skis in this category are offered “flat” which is to say a binding needs to be mounted before you can go skiing.

Pon2oon (NEW)
134mm underfoot in 189cm length, reverse sidecut (opposite of hourglass shape).
Available in 169, 179, 189cm.
Pon2oon got some design tweaks this year to make turn initiation more predictable and increase breaking power in the tail. A portion of sales go to Shane McConkey’s family. Pon2oon is based on the late Shane McConkey’s design.
K2 rating: 90% powder, 10% variable. Baseline: Powder Rocker.

Darkside
128mm underfoot, 27 meter sidecut in 181cm length.
Available in 174, 181, 188cm. A big board for big lines.
K2 rating: 80% powder, 20% variable. Baseline: Powder Rocker.

SideStash
108mm underfoot, 25 meter sidecut in 181cm length.
Available in 167, 174, 181, 188cm.
K2 rating: 70% powder, 30% varible. Baseline: All Terrain Rocker.

HardSide
98mm underfoot, 23 meter sidecut in 181cm length.
Available in 167, 174, 181, 188cm.
Most versatile ski in this lineup due to more sidecut and slightly narrower waist.
K2 rating: 60% powder, 40% variable. Baseline: All Terrain Rocker.

SideShow (NEW)
90mm underfoot, 20 meter sidecut radius in 181cm length.
Available in 167, 174, 181, 188cm.
K2 calls this a wide ski for the groomers too.
K2 rating 50% powder, 50% variable. Baseline: All Terrain Rocker.

COOMBAck
102mm underfoot, 22 meter sidecut in 174cm length.
Available in 167, 174, 181, 188cm.
A percentage of sales go to the Coombs family as well as to the American Mountain Guide Association Chad Vanderham Endowment which is dedicated to improving guide education and safety.
K2 rating: 50% powder, 50% variable. Baseline: All Terrain Rocker.

WayBack
88mm underfoot, 22 meter sidecut in 174cm length.
Available in 160, 167, 174, 181cm.
A super light core and carbon fiber make this one of the lightest mid-fats on the market according to K2.
K2 rating: 40% powder, 60% variable. Baseline: All Terrain Rocker.

BackUp
82mm underfoot, 19 meter sidecut in 174cm length.
Available in 160, 167, 174, 181cm.
Very light, a perfect choice for inbounds tele skiing or high performance ski-mountaineering.
K2 rating: 30% powder, 70% variable. Baseline: Speed Rocker.

Many new model in women’s skis this year. K2 continues its long history of women-specific skis and equipment. The T-Nine series is replaced with an all-new Supermodels series of all mountain skis. Supermodels are 20% lighter than previous skis due to three new cores, refined use of materials as well as lighter Marker bindings made just for women.

K2’s tradition of supporting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation also continues. Proceeds from all women’s skis, boards and skate products amount to a minimum of $75,000 each year. That support is symbolized by a pink ribbon found on the base of women’s skis.

Baseline reminder:

All Terrain Rocker – front 1/3 of the ski has early rise, remainder has conventional camber. 100% of the edge engages when the ski is edged.

Speed Rocker – only 10% at the tip rises up, the remainder of the ski has conventional camber. 100% of the ski is in contact with the snow when it is edged.

Catch-Free Rocker – a small amount of both tip and tail are elevated so that it is easy to initiate and release the turn, especially at slow speeds. 100% of the ski is in contact with the snow when it is edged. Catch-Free is designed to make learning easier.

SuperStitious (NEW)
84mm underfoot, 14 meter sidecut radius in 160cm length.
Available in 146, 153, 160, 167cm.
This is the widest ski in the line aimed at expert-level women.
K2 rating: 30% groomed, 70 ungroomed. Baseline: All Terrain Rocker.

SuperBurnin (NEW)
72mm underfoot, 12 meter sidecut radius in 160cm length.
Available in 146, 153, 160, 167cm. A frontside carving too.
K2 rating: 70% groomed, 30% ungroomed. Baseline: Speed Rocker.

SuperFree (New)
76mm underfoot, 14 meter sidecut radius in 160cm length.
Available in 139, 146, 153, 160, 167cm. K2 calls this the most versatile expert ski in the line.
K2 rating: 50% groomed, 50% ungroomed. Baseline: All Terrain Rocker.

Superific (New)
76mm underfoot, 14 meter sidecut radius in 160cm length.
Available in 139, 146, 153, 160cm.
Similar to SuperFree above except this ski has the lightest of the light cores available.
K2 rating 60% groomed, 40 ungroomed. Baseline: All Terrain Rocker.

SuperSweet (New)
74mm underfoot, 14 meter sidecut radius in 160cm length.
Available in 139, 146, 153, 160cm.
K2 rating 70% groomed, 30% ungroomed. Baseline: Catch-Free Rocker.

SuperSmooth (New)
72mm underfoot, 13 meter sidecut radius in 163cm length.
Available in 142, 149, 156, 163cm. Entry level ski with light and forgiving core.
K2 rating: 80% groomed, 20% ungroomed. Baseline: Catch-Free Rocker.

Technology you should know about - Bioflex Core

Bioflex is a unique core found in all women’s skis. Three versions of the core use different amounts of Aspen, Paulownia and Bamboo. The center section of the core is mainly Aspen for strength and the tip and tail are mainly Paulownia for for low weight.

Sidekick (New)
108mm underfoot, 21 meter sidecut radius in 167cm length.
Available in 153, 160, 167, 174cm.
K2 rating: 70% powder, 30% variable. Baseline: All Terrain Rocker.

BrightSide (New)
90mm underfoot, 16 meter sidecut radius in 167cm length.
Available in 153, 160, 167, 174cm.
Bright has the most durable of women’s cores – the Bioflex 3 core composed of 80% Aspen wood.
K2 rating: 50% powder, 50% variable. Baseline: All Terrain Rocker.

GotBack
102mm underfoot, 20 meter sidecut in 167cm length.
Available in 146, 153, 160, 167, 174cm.
K2 rating: 50% powder, 50% variable. Baseline: All Terrain Rocker.

TalkBack (New)
88mm underfoot, 20 meter sidecut radius in 167cm length.
Available in 153, 160, 167cm. Light and strong due to Carbon fiber beef up.
K2 rating: 40% powder, 60% variable. Baseline: All Terrain Rocker.

She’sBack
80mm underfoot, 16 meter sidecut in 167cm length.
Available in 153, 160, 167cm. Narrowest and most shapely ski in this series.
K2 rating: 30% powder, 70% variable. Baseline: Speed Rocker.

K2’s women-specific binding systems are designed to maximize the performance of the entire collection. In collaboration with Marker, K2 offers the ERS (Energy Response System) and ER3 (Energy Response Plate). To look at them, one uses a plate and one does not but the key advantages are:

1. Lighter weight, as much as a pound lighter for ERS
2. attachment points are closer together to match smaller boots which enhances ski flex characteristics.
3. ER3 plate is shorter and softer than men’s version to match the skis. The toe piece is 20% lighter this year.
4. Integrated Hub Technology refers to Titanal hubs embedded into the core. They provide a wider footprint, improving lateral response.

MissDirected (NEW)
117mm underfoot, 17 meter sidecut radius in 159cm length.
Available in 159, 169cm. This is ObSethed with a Bioflex 3 core for women.
K2 rating: 80% powder, 20% park. Baseline: tip – Powder Rocker, tail – All Terrain Rocker.

MissBehaved
102mm underfoot, 14 meter sidecut in 159cm length.
Available in 149, 159, 169cm.
Back by popular demand. Baseline: All Terrain Rocker.

MissDemeanor
90mm underfoot, 15 meter sidecut in 159cm length.
Available in 149, 159, 169cm.
K2 rating: 50% powder, 50% park. Baseline: All Terrain Rocker.

MissConduct
85mm underfoot, 15 meter sidecut in 159cm length.
Available in 149, 159, 169cm. This is an entry-level twin that is lighter and more forgiving than MissDemeanor.
K2 rating: 70% all mountain, 30% park. Baseline: All Terrain Rocker.