Review: K2 Mindbender 90C Skis · 2023
By Ski Expert
Lucia L
K2 Mindbender 90C Skis · 2023
$249.98
$499.95
50% off
10 photos
The Curated Take
4.3/5
The K2 Mindbender 90C Skis are ideal for beginner to intermediate skiers seeking to develop their skills. Due to their wood and carbon core construction, these skis offer easy edge-to-edge transitions and a lighter, more user-friendly experience. They are particularly effective for learning and improving carving and parallel riding techniques. However, their lightweight nature may result in chatter at high speeds, and they are not designed for aggressive skiing or deep powder conditions due to their narrow underfoot. Overall, these skis are a great value, offering a balance of flexibility, control, and an enjoyable ride on various terrains.
Ideal for
- Riders looking to develop their skills
- Easy edge-to-edge transition
- Lighter, more beginner-friendly Mindbender
Not ideal for
- Lightweight can chatter at high speeds
- Not super aggressive
- Narrow underfoot limits float
Turn Ease
The K2 Mindbender 90Cs are built with carbon stringers on top of a wood core. This construction gives them a load of torsional flex, which makes it easy to make...Read more
Playfulness
The K2 Mindbender 90C was one of the easier skis to ride in the Mindbender family. Due to the carbon stringers, the ski has a little more flex and play...Read more
Durability
I have seen the K2 Mindbender 90C go in and out of the shop countless times, but they still look in good condition. The bases seem to be pretty strong...Read more
High Speed Stability
I found the K2 Mindbender 90C to be consistent with the rest of the Mindbender family in that it rides stable and damp on groomed terrain. However, when trying to...Read more
Carving
As mentioned, the Mindbender 90C is a great ski if someone is learning to parallel ski and develop carves. The skis are easy to get on edge, and with little...Read more
Versatility
Most beginner skis are pretty limited in what they can do, with a narrow waist and little rocker tip. The K2 Mindbender 90C has a narrow waist, but the tip...Read more
Flotation
While I wouldn't choose the K2 Mindbender 90C as my go-to powder ski, they provide a good amount of float, especially compared to other skis in the 90 underfoot range....Read more
Curated Experts are not sponsored by brands. Their reviews are based on their honest experiences testing products.
Lucia L
About the ski gear
- Model: K2 Mindbender 90C Skis · 2023
Test conditions
- When I tried these: March 2023
- Where I’ve used them: Crystal Mountain, WA
- How many times I've used it: 2
Expert Reviews of the K2 Mindbender 90C Skis
Lucia L The K2 Mindbender 90C is a great option for those on the beginner and intermediate side of skiing who are looking for a ski that has lots of room for growth and will gently push them into a more aggressive all-mountain ski. The 90C is on the softer, gentler side of the Mindbender series, as the wood and carbon core create a soft and damp ride that is easy to turn on. I rode these skis all around Crystal Mountain and really felt that they were skis I could put little into and get a big return from. The 90mm waist makes the skis easy to turn and get on edge. If someone is developing their carving and parallel riding skills, this would be a great ski for them.
Product Specs
| Age Group | Adult |
| Gender | Men's |
| Includes bindings | No |
| Model year | 2023 |
| Ski type | Freeride |
| Skill level | Intermediate, Advanced |
Review Ratings
Turn Ease
5/5
Lucia L gave 5 of 5 stars. The K2 Mindbender 90Cs are built with carbon stringers on top of a wood core. This construction gives them a load of torsional flex, which makes it easy to make turns and get edge-to-edge when riding. I found the skis to be really easy to ride and control. I could effortlessly turn them, both when carving and in moguls. They almost feel as if they just wrap around bumps.
Playfulness
4/5
Lucia L gave 4 of 5 stars. The K2 Mindbender 90C was one of the easier skis to ride in the Mindbender family. Due to the carbon stringers, the ski has a little more flex and play than other skis in the family. I would not say it's my go-to playful ski option, but if someone wanted to pop off some side hits, they could do that with these skis. However, since there isn't a ton of camber in the underfoot of the skis, skiers won't have as nice of a pop and landing, but I didn't find them to be super heavy to the ground.
Durability
4/5
Lucia L gave 4 of 5 stars. I have seen the K2 Mindbender 90C go in and out of the shop countless times, but they still look in good condition. The bases seem to be pretty strong and will put up with the rocks and trees on the PNW trails. The topsheets do get scuffed up easily. I have seen several chipped carbon stringer K2 skis and stringers through the topsheet. It's not the end of the world, but if skiers care about aesthetics, this might be something to keep in mind.
High Speed Stability
4/5
Lucia L gave 4 of 5 stars. I found the K2 Mindbender 90C to be consistent with the rest of the Mindbender family in that it rides stable and damp on groomed terrain. However, when trying to carve at higher speeds on icier or cruddy terrain, the skis tend to chatter a little bit. They also aren't as edge-holding and aggressive as other Mindbender skis. Intermediate or beginner riders probably won't notice this, but they might find these skis a bit limiting as they grow into advanced terrain and become more aggressive.
Carving
4/5
Lucia L gave 4 of 5 stars. As mentioned, the Mindbender 90C is a great ski if someone is learning to parallel ski and develop carves. The skis are easy to get on edge, and with little effort, skiers should have a lot of control and be able to make long parallel turns down the mountain. The dampening tech in the ski makes the ride pretty smooth and less bumpy than most beginner skis. If someone is a more aggressive rider looking to carve fast, this ski might be a bit limiting as the edge hold isn't the best in the class.
Versatility
5/5
Lucia L gave 5 of 5 stars. Most beginner skis are pretty limited in what they can do, with a narrow waist and little rocker tip. The K2 Mindbender 90C has a narrow waist, but the tip is a bit wider and a little more rockered than most beginner skis. I rode these skis mostly on groomers, but I would be comfortable taking them off-piste a little bit and riding through the trees. They are pretty narrow, but with the rocker tip and flex in the ski, one can still stay on top of fresh snow or chunks. I think this ski has a lot of potential all around the mountain, especially for a beginner or intermediate-level rider.
Flotation
4/5
Lucia L gave 4 of 5 stars. While I wouldn't choose the K2 Mindbender 90C as my go-to powder ski, they provide a good amount of float, especially compared to other skis in the 90 underfoot range. The rocker tip helps navigate fresh snow and keep the ski afloat. I probably wouldn't take these in anything deeper than a foot since they will start to sink a little, but they could be a lot of fun in a little bit of fresh snow.
FAQs
What was your favorite moment with this gear?
Lucia L My favorite moment riding the Mindbender 90Cs had to be how easy they were to turn and maneuver, especially compared to how much I got out of this ski. Even putting little effort into riding, these skis gave a lot in return.
Why did you choose this product?
Lucia L I chose to try these skis to see how a narrower Mindbender with a wood and carbon core would act compared to other Mindbenders.
What do you love about this product?
Lucia L My favorite detail of the K2 Mindbender 90C skis must be their construction. The carbon stringers make the ski pretty damp but still give it the light and flexy feel that makes the ski fun. I think it's a good combination of a light ski that still gets on the edge and rides smoothly.
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