Video Transcript

My name is Leo, and I am a Ski Expert at Curated. Coming to you live from my home in Denver, where I have been in the industry for over 10 years. Today, I'm going to give you a quick side-by-side comparison of two skis, the K2 Mindbender 90c and the Blizzard Rustler 9. So, let's dive in.

I'm going to talk to you about who these skis are good for, what they excel at on the mountain, as well as who they're not suited for and what they don't perform well at, highlighting their similarities and differences.

K2 Mindbender 90c

The K2 Mindbender 90c is an excellent first pair of skis for those comfortably making their way down the blue runs, seeking to maintain control and looking to expand their palette of what's available to them skiing. If you've learned to link your turns, started to gain confidence on groomed runs, and transitioning from edge to edge, you might want to pick up some speed or try some moguls or light tree skiing. This ski is most at home on groomed runs. It's primarily going to be good on groomers but has enough surface area to manage off-piste terrain. This is somewhat of a 70-30 ski, with 70% on-piste and 30% off-piste usage.

It's lightweight and not overly demanding, featuring a carbon core — which the 'C' in the title stands for — and measures 90 underfoot. This results in quick edge-to-edge transitions and a ski that holds a good edge. Ideal for skiers transitioning into the intermediate phase, it's also well-suited for older skiers who used to ski more aggressively and are now seeking a lightweight, confident, and in-control ski to enjoy the whole mountain. However, it may find its limits in deeper snow, off-piste terrain, and at super high speeds where it might feel a bit bouncy.

Blizzard Rustler 9

Jumping over to the Blizzard Rustler 9, this ski has a pretty different personality. I would say this is more suited for intermediate to advanced skiers, though ambitious intermediates could grow with it as well. It features a good amount of rocker in the tip and tail, giving it a pivoty, surfy feel. By comparison, the Mindbender has a more traditional cut with a square, flat tail that sits and locks into the snow more when making a turn.

The Rustler is great for skiers looking to explore off-piste terrain. It excels in moguls and trees, and exhibits a more playful, freestyle personality — even dabbling in terrain parks. Neither of these skis are particularly focused on powder. They have enough surface area to prevent you from getting bogged down, but they aren't powder skis.

Similarities and Differences

They are similar in the sense that they are both in the low 90s underfoot, but we can't take those numbers out of context. People often get hung up on these numbers and weigh the pros and cons of a 90 versus a 92, but the truth is those differences aren't huge if we're not also considering the differences in shape and core materials. This comparison really highlights that, while they have very similar dimensions, they're very different skis in many regards. The best choice for you depends on who you are and what your skiing goals are. If you want to find out more, chat with one of us on Curated. We'd love to dive into it with you.

Comparison Table