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Expert Comparison: Rossignol Experience 80 CA Skis + Xpress 11 GW Bindings · 2023 vs K2 Mindbender 85 Skis · 2023

Published on 02/01/2024 · 6 min readCompare Rossignol Experience 80 CA Skis + Xpress 11 GW Bindings · 2023 and K2 Mindbender 85 Skis · 2023. Get expert insight below!
Leo Cocchiara, Ski Expert
Baylee Thompson, Ski Expert
Ruth R., Ski Expert
Contributed By Ski Expert Leo Cocchiara, Baylee Thompson, Ruth R., Ian Hamilton, Dawn Littleton and others

VS

 

Side by side comparison

Out of stock
Rossignol Experience 80 CA Skis + Xpress 11 GW Bindings · 2023
Out of stock
K2 Mindbender 85 Skis · 2023
Price
$418.93
40% off
$199.98
50% off
User rating
5(1)
5(4)
The Curated Take
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Best for aggressive skiers who love ripping groomers at high speed.

Ski type
All Mountain
Freeride, All Mountain
Skill level
Intermediate, Advanced
Beginner, Intermediate
Rocker profile
Rocker/Camber
Rocker/Camber/Rocker

In the world of skiing, the Rossignol Experience 80 CA Skis + Xpress 11 GW Bindings 2023 and the K2 Mindbender 85 Skis 2023 are two products that have been making waves. Both are designed for intermediate skiers looking to push their skills and explore more of the mountain. The Rossignol Experience 80 CA Skis + Xpress 11 GW Bindings 2023 is a versatile and reliable choice, with a lightweight build and full sidewall construction that offers agility and confident edge control for all-resort skiing. On the other hand, the K2 Mindbender 85 Skis 2023 is perfect for skiers looking to progress beyond groomed terrain, with a forgiving design and all-terrain rocker that performs well in all conditions. While both skis have their strengths, the Rossignol Experience 80 CA Skis + Xpress 11 GW Bindings 2023 edges out the K2 Mindbender 85 Skis 2023 in terms of versatility and overall performance.

The Rossignol Experience 80 CA Skis + Xpress 11 GW Bindings 2023 is a fantastic choice for skiers looking to push their skills and explore more of the mountain. This ski offers agility and confident edge control for all-resort skiing, thanks to its lightweight build and full sidewall construction. The carbon layers and paulownia wood core make it easy to maneuver, while the Drive Tip design provides smooth turn initiation and a powerful edge through the entire turn.

This ski uses a lightweight woodcore and additional carbon reinforcements for a lively ski with a short turning radius. That means everything from bumps to trees is your playground, but even out in the open they're great for slicing up hardpack. The 80mm waist offers optimal edge control on ice, making it a versatile and reliable choice for all types of terrain.

The Rossignol Experience 80 CA Skis + Xpress 11 GW Bindings 2023 is also a package deal, which means the bindings come with the skis and can be adjusted to your boot by any pro shop. This makes it a great long-term investment for skiers who are ready to move beyond rental gear.

The Rossignol Experience 80 CA Skis + Xpress 11 GW Bindings do it all - excelling on the groomed, easy to take off-piste when you want to, and with a light and lively feel for quick turns and bumps. This is a great choice for intermediate skiers seeking an everyday setup that won't let them down, regardless of conditions

Leo Cocchiara
Ski Expert

The K2 Mindbender 85 Skis 2023 is a great option for intermediate skiers looking to progress beyond groomed terrain. With a forgiving design and all-terrain rocker, these skis perform well in all conditions. The lightweight aspen core adds stability and control, making it a great option for exploring trees, moguls, and side hits. Its strong edge hold and carving ability also make it a fun choice for ripping groomers.

The K2 Mindbender 85 Skis 2023 combines a forgiving design but still offers the edge hold and carvability that most entry-level skis don't. This ski is perfect for shredding groomers out east but will also be a great asset to your quiver if you're ever skiing out west. With all-terrain rocker, these skis will truly perform great in all conditions. The short low rise in the tail will also help add extra control when you're in variable snow. The aspen core is lightweight but still resilient enough to dampen the chatter at fast speeds.

I recently purchased these skis on a screaming deal, knowing that they were considered more “entry-level” skis than a lot of their Mindbender cousins, but thinking ehh for the price can’t beat it. Don’t sleep on these skis!!! I am not a huge fan of skis with metal, so finding groomer skis I love is tough, but these are perfect. Go up a size from your normal length, and you’re going to be just as aggressive out there as anyone! I’ve been so impressed with the stability at speed, ease of turns, and just hard-charging fun on these. Absolutely a ski ready to rip

Baylee Thompson
Ski Expert

Similarities

Both the Rossignol Experience 80 CA Skis + Xpress 11 GW Bindings 2023 and the K2 Mindbender 85 Skis 2023 are designed for intermediate skiers looking to push their skills and explore more of the mountain. They both offer agility and confident edge control, making them great choices for all-resort skiing. Both skis also have a lightweight build, which makes them easy to maneuver and control. They both have a short turning radius, which means they're great for quick turns and bumps. Both skis also perform well in all conditions, thanks to their all-terrain rocker design.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both skis are designed for intermediate skiers, they cater to slightly different personas. The Rossignol Experience 80 CA Skis + Xpress 11 GW Bindings 2023 is a versatile and reliable choice that excels in all conditions. It's great for skiers who love to explore everything from bumps to trees, but also want a ski that performs well on hardpack. This ski is also a package deal, which makes it a great long-term investment for skiers who are ready to move beyond rental gear.

On the other hand, the K2 Mindbender 85 Skis 2023 is perfect for skiers looking to progress beyond groomed terrain. It's a forgiving ski that performs well in all conditions, but it's particularly good for exploring trees, moguls, and side hits. This ski is also a great choice for skiers who love to rip groomers, thanks to its strong edge hold and carving ability.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to versatility, the Rossignol Experience 80 CA Skis + Xpress 11 GW Bindings 2023 takes the cake. It's a versatile and reliable choice that excels in all conditions, making it a great all-around ski for intermediate skiers.

In terms of performance on groomed terrain, the K2 Mindbender 85 Skis 2023 shines. Its strong edge hold and carving ability make it a fun choice for ripping groomers.

As for ease of use and control, both skis perform well. They both offer agility and confident edge control, making them great choices for all-resort skiing. However, the Rossignol Experience 80 CA Skis + Xpress 11 GW Bindings 2023 edges out the K2 Mindbender 85 Skis 2023 slightly due to its full sidewall construction and Drive Tip design.

Finally, in terms of value for money, the Rossignol Experience 80 CA Skis + Xpress 11 GW Bindings 2023 is the clear winner. It's a package deal, which means the bindings come with the skis and can be adjusted to your boot by any pro shop. This makes it a great long-term investment for skiers who are ready to move beyond rental gear.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Rossignol Experience 80 CA Skis + Xpress 11 GW Bindings 2023 and the K2 Mindbender 85 Skis 2023 are excellent choices for intermediate skiers looking to push their skills and explore more of the mountain. They both offer agility and confident edge control, making them great choices for all-resort skiing. However, the Rossignol Experience 80 CA Skis + Xpress 11 GW Bindings 2023 edges out the K2 Mindbender 85 Skis 2023 in terms of versatility and overall performance. It's a versatile and reliable choice that excels in all conditions, making it a great all-around ski for intermediate skiers. Plus, it's a package deal, which makes it a great long-term investment for skiers who are ready to move beyond rental gear. So, if you're an intermediate skier looking for a versatile, reliable, and long-lasting ski, the Rossignol Experience 80 CA Skis + Xpress 11 GW Bindings 2023 is the way to go!

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