K2 SKIS is the freeski brand that continues to lead the freeskiing scene. Let's take a look at the lineup for 2021 while exploring the secrets behind the new lineup that keeps appearing one after another
The secret behind the constant creation of new lineups
K2 is a ski and snowboard brand founded in 1962 in the suburbs of Seattle, Washington, USA. It has produced many riders who have led the freeskiing scene, such as Glenn Break, Seth Morrison, and Shane McConkie, and has shaped the era.
Its track record in freestyle skiing goes without saying, and it is characterized by its extensive lineup that covers categories such as freeride and backcountry. In addition to skiing gear such as skis, boots, and poles, it also has a wide range of products including helmets, backpacks, and apparel.
In recent years, in order to further expand, they have established their own development factory, ARC (Advanced Resource Collective), near Seattle International Airport. This facility has a dedicated prototype factory separate from the manufacturing plant, allowing them to focus on developing new products without worrying about manufacturing processes or delivery dates. Taking advantage of the location, about four hours from Timberline, the only ski resort in North America with a year-round lift, they have an excellent environment for production, where when they come up with a new idea or product, they can create a prototype and test it on the snow right away. Below is an image video of ARC
topA bird's-eye view of the K2 SKIS lineup
The lineup for the 2021 season is shown above
- <Speed performance> <Piste performance> Specialized for speeding down packed snow slopes
- MINDBENDER: The key point is the torsional strength that supports hard riding regardless of the conditions. It is intended for use mainly in freeride scenes
- TOURING skis. Lightweight yet with metal for enhanced edge grip
- RECKONER: Directional twin tip design. For those who enjoy freestyle riding on the slopes
- FACTORY TEAM: For park and street skiers and those looking for a ski that doesn't fit into categories 1-4
While models such as ②③④⑤, which are aimed at freeskiing and freeride, account for two-thirds of the total, the new trend for the 2021 season is an increased emphasis on ①〈speed performance〉 and 〈PISTE performance〉
Let's take a quick look at each category
MINDBENDER: Focus on the comfort of turns, from packed snow to powder
The MINDBENDER series, which aims to provide the pleasure of turning regardless of the skiing conditions, consists of 12 models. The common feature of all models is high stability and control in all snow conditions. To achieve this, K2 focused on torsion. The torsion at the tip and center of the ski is stiffer, and it becomes gentler towards the tail. This makes the skis easy to control, whether carving or sliding, depending on the situation
In addition to this torsional property, the three key features that bring out the ski's gliding performance are the Titanal Y Beam, Spectacle Blade Technology, and Power Wall
The men's MINDBENDER comes in six models, 116C, 108ti, 99Ti, 90Ti, 90C, and 85, ordered in order of waist width. The C after the number stands for carbon and features "Spectacle Blade Technology," while Ti stands for titanium and features "Titanal Y Beam." Only the 116C features "Powder Rocker," which has a high, long nose rocker and a long, gentle tail rocker. The other models feature "All-Terrain Rocker," which combines nose rocker with a low, short tail rocker
The women's MINDBENDER comes in the ALLIANCE name and comes in six models, the same as the men's: 115C, 106C, 98Ti, 88Ti, 90C, and 85. However, the shape, such as waist width, and the ratio of titanium to carbon are slightly different from the men's model
Lightweight model for backcountry skiing〈TOURING〉
The <TOURING> series is designed for backcountry skiing, balancing lightness and gliding performance. It consists of seven models in total: five men's models "WAYBACK" and three women's models "TALKBACK".
Although it is called a touring ski, K2 prioritizes gliding performance, so almost all models have a laminated titanium metal core in the center of the ski, just like piste skis and freeride skis.
The design ensures that the skis are lightweight while maintaining the stability and vibration absorption essential for gliding. In particular, the "WAYBACK 80" uses a special Balsa/Paulounia Tour Ultralight Core in its core material, achieving a lightness of 967g for a 170cm ski despite using metal.
Inheriting the freestyle mind〈RECKONER〉
The RECKONER series, a completely redesigned line of boards from the asymmetrical nose and tail catamarans and marksmen available until the 2019-20 season, allows for effortless freestyle maneuvers such as jumps, slashes, carving, presses, and butters in any conditions. It comes in three waist widths: 122, 112, and 102, all featuring a directional twin-tip construction.
Only the 122 model has a higher and longer nose and tail rocker to allow for free movement and buoyancy in powder. The other two models employ a versatile all-terrain rocker.
All three models feature a core of fir on the edges and poplar in the center, providing excellent edge grip and stability. The carbon stringers that run from tip to tail and the lattice fiber that covers the entire ski, also used in the MINDBENDER, allow the skis to respond responsively to tricks in various positions
The Face of K2〈FACTORY TEAM〉
From street to big mountain to competition, the FACTORY TEAM lineup is packed with K2-inspired freestyle skis, including the Shane McConkey-designed PON2OON with a tapered 132mm waist, the 244 mogul ski with its loyal following, and the POACHER, designed for both park and street skiers
A new approach to speed performance and skiing on packed snow slopes
Lastly, we will introduce the "Speed Performance" and "Piste Performance" categories, which are part of the "Disruption" series, newly launched by K2 in the 2021 season. Named after skis that break existing concepts, this category was created for skiers who love speed and carving, regardless of competition
Please see the link below for the full K2 lineup