In the world of skiing, the K2 Mindbender 90C and the Atomic Bent 90 are two skis that have made a name for themselves. Both skis are designed for intermediate skiers and are known for their versatility and performance on the mountain. The K2 Mindbender 90C is a light, easy-to-ski option that's great on groomers and off-trail. It's a fun, cool-looking ski that's high quality and confidence-inspiring. On the other hand, the Atomic Bent 90 is a playful, freestyle-oriented ski that's nimble and maneuverable. It's a ski that's fun to ride and can handle everything from groomers to steep trees to moguls. Both skis have their strengths and weaknesses, and the choice between the two will depend on your personal preferences and skiing style.

K2 Mindbender 90C Skis · 2024 summary

The K2 Mindbender 90C is marketed as an intermediate level ski that's light, good on groomers, and easy to ski. It's wide enough to get off trail a little bit, too. Unlike other Mindbenders, this ski doesn't have a sheet of titanal metal in it to stiffen the ski. Instead, it uses carbon, which also stiffens the ski but is a much lighter material than metal. This makes the Mindbender 90C an all-mountain ski for lighter skiers who don’t need a ski with metal in it.

The Mindbender 90C is a fun, cool looking, high-quality ski that has a really nice top sheet feel. It's not a super aggressive ski, but it's very confidence-inspiring. It's great on the groomers and is quick edge to edge. It's definitely a more groomer-focused ski at 90 underfoot. The edge hold is medium to slightly stiffer, maybe like a seven out of ten in the stiffness factor. But, they had great edge grip.

The Mindbender 90C is not a park-focused ski. However, it does have a partial twin tip which is nice so you don’t catch your tails and so you can ski switch on it a little bit. It's a good hardpack ski. It does well on moguls, groomers, and even a little bit of off trail.

Atomic Bent 90 Skis · 2024 summary

The Atomic Bent 90 is a playful, freeride-oriented ski that's nimble and maneuverable. It's a part of Atomic’s more freestyle, freeride oriented ski line. For skiers who want something a bit more playful and all-mountain oriented for everything from groomers to steep trees to moguls, these are built to do it all. They're supposed to be fun, nimble, and maneuverable while you're doing it.

The Bent 90 is surprisingly stable underfoot on groomers. It's able to arc really nice easy turns. However, when you get them up to really high speeds, they can feel a little more squirrely and out of control. They do have a speed limit, so that's something to keep in mind.

The Bent 90 is really fun if you like to bounce around on the edges of groomed runs, do little side hits, and throw tricks here and there. It's light enough that you can spin on them - doing 180s, landing switch, and skiing backwards with no problem. It's great for East Coast conditions when you don’t get as much snow. They’re still playful and suitable for off piste skiing.

Similarities

Both the K2 Mindbender 90C and the Atomic Bent 90 are designed for intermediate skiers and are known for their versatility and performance on the mountain. They both have a waist width of 90mm, making them ideal for groomed runs but also capable of handling off-piste conditions. Both skis are designed to be light and maneuverable, making them easy to handle and fun to ride. They both have a partial twin tip design, allowing for some freestyle play and the ability to ski switch. Both skis are also praised for their edge hold and carving abilities, making them a great choice for skiers who enjoy making turns on groomed runs.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both skis are designed for intermediate skiers, they cater to slightly different personas. The K2 Mindbender 90C is marketed as an intermediate level ski that's light, good on groomers, and easy to ski. It's a great choice for skiers who are looking for a ski that's easy to handle and fun to ride, but also capable of handling a variety of conditions. It's a great choice for advancing beginners through advancing intermediate skiers.

On the other hand, the Atomic Bent 90 is a playful, freeride-oriented ski that's nimble and maneuverable. It's a great choice for skiers who like to explore the whole mountain and enjoy a playful, freestyle-oriented ski. It's a great choice for intermediate skiers who want to take their skills off piste more, younger skiers, and lighter skiers who want to ski park, but also want the versatility to shred all over the mountain as well.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to versatility, both skis perform well. However, the Atomic Bent 90 might have a slight edge due to its freeride-oriented design and its ability to handle a wider range of conditions.

In terms of carving and edge hold, both skis are praised for their performance. However, the K2 Mindbender 90C might have a slight advantage due to its carbon construction, which provides a stiffer flex and better edge hold.

For freestyle skiing, the Atomic Bent 90 is the clear winner. Its playful design and partial twin tip make it a great choice for skiers who enjoy freestyle skiing and want to explore the whole mountain.

In terms of ease of use and handling, both skis are designed to be light and maneuverable. However, the K2 Mindbender 90C might have a slight advantage due to its carbon construction, which makes it lighter than the Atomic Bent 90.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the K2 Mindbender 90C and the Atomic Bent 90 are excellent choices for intermediate skiers. They both offer versatility, performance, and fun on the mountain. The choice between the two will ultimately depend on your personal preferences and skiing style. If you're looking for a ski that's light, easy to handle, and great on groomers, the K2 Mindbender 90C might be the ski for you. If you're looking for a playful, freeride-oriented ski that can handle a variety of conditions, the Atomic Bent 90 might be a better choice. Either way, you can't go wrong with either of these skis. Happy skiing!