Last day! Shop Cyber Monday deals - Up to 50% off

Plus, enjoy 10% Curated credit on every order. Use code black-friday-23. See terms.

Expert Review: K2 Reckoner 102 Skis · 2023

Published on 12/10/2022 · 5 min readThis review is my honest opinion of the skis, which I purchased with my own money in September of 2022.
By Ski Expert Austen Law

All photos courtesy of Austen Law

About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the skis, which I purchased with my own money in September of 2022.

My take

The K2 Reckoner 102 is an all-mountain, twin-tipped, and hard-charging ski that is ready to shred pow to park. This is a ski for a skier looking to be more freeride-oriented and able to shred all over easily. Made for an intermediate to an advanced skier who likes to ski in both directions.

About the gear

  • Model: 2023 K2 Reckoner 102
  • Size: 184cm

About me

  • Height: 6’0”
  • Weight: 175lbs
  • Experience: 26 years skiing and 16 years skiing

Test conditions

  • When I bought these: September 2022
  • Days tested: 10
  • Mount position: Factory recommended
  • Boots: 2021 Rossignol All Track Elite 130 LV
  • Boot Size: 26.5W
  • Bindings: 2022 Look Pivot 14
  • Where I’ve used it: Mt. Bachelor and surrounding backcountry
  • Terrain: New pow, mixed snow

How they perform

Flotation
5/5
Carving
4/5
Durability
4/5
High Speed Stability
4/5
Turn Ease
4/5
Versatility
4/5

What I was looking for

I was looking for a ski that was big enough to charge everything and was twin-tipped for more freestyle-style riding. I was hoping it would crush it in the park performance and that it also would give me the ability to shred the entire mountain with ease.

Why I chose this gear

K2 has always had a special place in my heart, as their skis have always been fun and playful. I chose the Reckoner 102 because they are a big, hard-charging all-mountain ski focused on freeriding and tricks. These skis are twin tipped and 102 underfoot, allowing a skier to ride the park and the powder on the same day without switching skis. Some other options were the ON3P Mangos and the Armada ARV, both twin-tip all-mountain skis.

What I love about them

  • Speed: The Reckoner 102 skis are pretty quick, even for a twin-tip ski. Even being a 102 underfoot, the big all-mountain ski can move pretty well in both directions.
  • Edge hold: I am happily surprised to see these free-ride skis that are 102mm underfoot carve so well. Good shape and sidewall cut on the skis to carve well.
  • Turns: Turn shape is great for such a mid-sized all-mountain twin-tip ski. It’s nimble enough to make quick short turns and can hold an edge nicely in big long turns. The added carbon spectral braid helps reinforce some stiffness and dampens impact in the choppy snow.
  • Powder: Crushes the powder. These skis float well and are nimble and playful enough to rip in the powder and the trees. Being 102mm underfoot, it can float in most powder conditions. I think this ski thrives in PNW skiing, as it skis well in 4 to 8 inches of powder really well.
  • Trees: The Reckoner 102 does really well in the trees as they are quick enough to move around and aren’t too heavy.
  • Park: Being a twin-tip ski, the Reckoner 102 is made for the park and free riding. They are damp enough to send big jumps, and feel comfortable that the skis will pop back.
  • Backcountry: It could be a good backcountry ski, but probably a bigger mountain resort as they aren’t as light as some other options for touring. But it could be super playful, and twin-tip skiing could be fun too.
  • Durability: Very good quality because K2 developed TwinTech sidewalls to keep some structure to the topsheet to keep durability from ski-to-ski contact.
  • Switch riding: Really great. These are true twin-tip skis, with rocker/camber/rocker build, so riding backward is just the same as riding down the hill forwards.
  • Stability: K2’s spectral carbon braid built into the laminate helps dampen the ski and creates less chatter and shaking on the ski. They are overall stiffer than a traditional park ski, can be playful, and are freestyle oriented if I try.

Issues I’ve encountered

  • Groomers: Not built for all-day groomer skiing, as they give out mid-turn. Can’t hold a lot of power through the whole turn. That being said, they are epic skis for powder and big mountain. Overall, they have a pretty good medium turn radius.
  • Weight: Without the bindings, the skis are a little heavier than some other skis in its ski category family.
  • Any workarounds? As a classic twin-tip ski, I mounted two back, which is my preferred riding style. The ski is different than skiing traditionally center-mounted.

Favorite moment with this gear

My favorite moment with this gear was taking them out for the first time. The first day back skiing on a twin-tip ski with some backbone to it. As a general statement, most of the twin-tip skis I have skied were built for the park rider, are very soft skis, and do not carve well. The K2 Reckoner 102 did everything opposite of the “park ski.” These skis carved well and were still playful while being a little stiff, but they could dominate the entire mountain in all conditions. I could ski in the park, ski a groomer, and charge some mixed snow and powder. It was a freerider and a big mountain skier’s dream ski.

Value for the money vs. other options

Not many other companies make a true twin tip anymore, let alone a 100mm underfoot or larger. The K2 Reckoner 102 sits in class on its own, but I would consider other skis like the ON3P Mangos, which are bigger underfoot with a full twin tip, and a LINE Sick Day 104. The Reckoner 102 is worth the money as it is wonderfully priced and is a great ski that can ski all-mountain.

Final verdict

The K2 Reckoner 102 can do it all. From powder skiing to the park and everywhere in between, these skis deliver the same versatility from their DNA in freestyle influence. A true big mountain twin-tip charger.

Out of stock

K2 Reckoner 102 Skis · 2023

$389.99$649.95
40% off
  • We price match
  • Returnable
Brandon Wachter, Curated Expert
Ski Expert Brandon recommended it to a customer in Kirkwood 9 hours ago

How experienced are you as a skier?

Answer questions to receive a personalized product recommendation from an expert like the author of the article.

Austen Law, Ski Expert
Austen Law
Ski Expert
Former ski racing athlete turned big mountain junkie. After a run in the ski racing world, I turned to the equipment side of skiing to ensure skiers are fitted and educated on the products they deserve. From boot fitting to expert reviews for ski publications, I have always been driven to give the customer or athlete the utmost professional opinion in ski equipment fitting.
1 Reviews
89 Customers helped
Share article:

Curated experts can help

Have a question about the article you just read or want personal recommendations? Connect with a Curated expert and get free recommendations for whatever you’re looking for!
Written by:
Austen Law, Ski Expert
Austen Law
Ski Expert
Former ski racing athlete turned big mountain junkie. After a run in the ski racing world, I turned to the equipment side of skiing to ensure skiers are fitted and educated on the products they deserve. From boot fitting to expert reviews for ski publications, I have always been driven to give the customer or athlete the utmost professional opinion in ski equipment fitting.
1 Reviews
89 Customers helped

Read next

New and Noteworthy