Expert Review: K2 Mindbender 99Ti Skis · 2022
This review is my honest opinion of the skis, which I tested for 14 days in March of 2021.
All photos courtesy of Jake R.
About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the skis, which I tested for 14 days in March of 2021. For information on the latest model of this ski, check out Rob's 2023 Expert Review.
My take
The K2 Mindbender 99 Ti is a bombproof daily driver that will perform and feel damp, smooth, and stable in variable terrain and snow conditions. Enough float for the cold smoke of the Rockies without forsaking its ability to get up on edge when on the hardpack.
About the gear
- Model: 2022 K2 Mindbender 99 Ti
- Size: 184cm
About me
- Height: 5’10”
- Weight: 165 lbs
- Experience: 26 years of snowboarding/skiing
Test conditions
- When I tested these: March 2021
- Days tested: 14
- Mount position: Recommended mounting line
- Boots: 2020 Full Tilt Drop Kick Pro
- Boot Size: 27.5
- Bindings: Salomon Warden MNC 13 100mm
- Where I’ve used it: Copper Mountain, Colorado
- Terrain: Groomers, hardpacked snow, light powder, trees, moguls, small side jumps
How they perform
What I was looking for
I was looking for a ski that would remain stable and perform damp on the downhill regardless of the snow conditions and terrain ahead of me. A daily driver for the Rockies that could keep afloat in the ungroomed snow while holding its edge and getting up on edge easy while on hardpacked or groomed snow.
Why I chose this gear
I chose the Mindbender 99 Ti because of how stable and damp they felt regardless of the terrain I was in. I considered the Volkl Mantra, but the Mindbender was way more maneuverable with a touch more tail rocker and tighter turn radius.
What I love about it
- Speed: The K2 Mindbender 99 Ti is ultimately damp and at home at higher speeds thanks to the titanal metal reinforcement in the core. This ski is stable, smooth, and can handle Mach 9 speeds.
- Edge hold: The Mindbender 99 Ti holds its edge with authority due to the Y-beam titanal plate, allowing me to lean deeper into my carves.
- Turns: The 2022 Mindbender 99 Ti touts a turning radius of 18.5m in 184cm length, keeping this ski feeling maneuverable without forcing me into an awkwardly tight or sweeping turn shape.
- Groomers: Mindbender 99 Ti can get up on edge while on groomers with a little emphasis on my carve and hold its edge with ease on hardpack.
- Powder: The Mindbender 99 Ti keeps on top of fresh snow fairly easily with a 99-100mm underfoot width. Powder skiing is a blast, but if one goes deeper than a foot and a half, they’d want a fatter ski like the Mindbender 108 Ti.
- Trees: The Mindbender 99 Ti is rather maneuverable and easy to pivot about in the trees thanks to its 18.5m turn radius in 184cm length.
- Moguls: This ski crushes it in the ungroomed bump fields. It’s not the easiest ski to rip zipper lines in groomed or hardpacked bump fields. It's damp at higher speed and in choppy ungroomed terrain since it has a 99mm underfoot width and is reinforced with titanal.
- Durability: The Mindbender 99 Ti from K2 is absolutely bombproof. This ski has a continual edge wrap in the tip and tail and a reinforced titanal sheet in the core.
- Switch riding: One can get away with switch riding and carving on groomed terrain. Check out this YouTube video to see me ride switch on the Mindbender 99 Ti. I would be hesitant to land switch in ungroomed terrain or to hit features in the park switch.
- Stability: Extremely stable, this ski has a rather large Y-sheet of titanal metal in the core, which keeps it from chattering, shaking, or moving. Super damp, firm ski that isn’t really in the mood to butter for ya.
Issues I’ve encountered
- Park: Fairly stiff flex rating makes this ski a bit unforgiving if one is off balance and hitting jumps.
- Backcountry: This ski is on the heavier side and emphasizes downhill skiing as opposed to uphilling and AT skiing in the backcountry.
Favorite moment with this gear
My favorite moment with this ski was when I got the opportunity to demo at Copper Mountain with my buddy and fellow expert, Hayden Wright. We like to get playful and really test this ski in the freestyle and freeride categories, and I was surprised by how nimble and stable this ski was, a rare combination.
Value for the money vs. other options
Seeing as this ski is a fraction of the price of many competitors with the same specs/techs, I’d say that it is very much worth the money versus the competitors. I’d put the K2 Mindbender 99 Ti in the same vein as the Nordica Enforcer 100, except more maneuverable, a touch less rigid, and, not to mention, way less expensive.
Final verdict
The K2 Mindbender 99 Ti unlocks stability, versatility, and confidence at higher speeds, in deeper snow, and for intermediate to expert skiers looking for a daily driver. The Mindbender is extremely durable and has the performance of a high-quality carving ski while keeping afloat in fresh snow and choppy conditions.
To explore how the 2023 model performs, check out Rob’s review of the 2023 K2 Mindbender 99Ti.
