In the world of all-mountain skis, the Nordica Unleashed 98 Skis and the K2 Mindbender 99Ti Skis are two top contenders for the 2023 season. Both skis are designed for advanced to expert skiers and offer a versatile, playful, and high-performance ride. The Nordica Unleashed 98 Skis are praised for their carving ability, stability, and fun factor. They are a great all-rounder, excelling in a variety of conditions and terrains, except for deep powder and ice. The K2 Mindbender 99Ti Skis, on the other hand, are known for their agility, edge hold, and ability to handle a mix of powder and groomed runs. They are a bit more directional and less playful than the Nordica Unleashed 98, but they still offer a fun and versatile ride. Both skis are great choices for advanced to expert skiers looking for a one-ski quiver. However, the Nordica Unleashed 98 might be a better choice for those who prefer a more playful and freestyle-oriented ride, while the K2 Mindbender 99Ti might be more suitable for those who prefer a more directional and hard-charging ride.

Nordica Unleashed 98 Skis · 2023 summary

The Nordica Unleashed 98 Skis are a brand new offering from Nordica for the 2023 season. They are designed to be a versatile, all-mountain ski that can handle a variety of conditions and terrains. The skis have a 98 millimeter waist, which is touted as being super versatile. Nordica claims that this ski is a potential one-ski quiver for any skier from the East Coast to the Sierra Nevada.

The Unleashed 98 is more cambered than rockered, meaning it's not designed to be a powder ski. However, it does have a full twin tip and tail, which makes it balanced and very centered. The skis are described as being stable at speed and rewarding aggressive input. They are also noted for their carving ability, with experts noting that they carve like a dream for a ski that's 98 millimeters underfoot.

In terms of freestyle performance, the Unleashed 98 is not marketed as a park-specific ski, but experts believe it would perform well in the park due to its light weight and pop. The ski is also noted for its durability, with Nordica skis generally having a reputation for being durable.

Overall, the Nordica Unleashed 98 Skis are described as the definition of fun. They are versatile, playful, and can handle a variety of conditions and terrains, making them a great choice for advanced to expert skiers looking for a one-ski quiver.

K2 Mindbender 99Ti Skis · 2023 summary

The K2 Mindbender 99Ti Skis are a versatile all-mountain ski designed for intermediate to advanced level skiers. They are praised for their ability to float well and carve like a good carving ski. The Mindbender 99Ti skis feature K2's Titanal Y-Beam construction, which provides a confident, stable ride at high speeds.

The skis have a turn radius of just under 20 meters and a tip rocker line at the nose, which aids with float in soft snow. They are noted for their excellent edge hold, especially for a 99mm waist ski. The skis are also described as being fairly damp, with minimal vibration even on hard snow over firm groomers.

In terms of freeride performance, the Mindbender 99Ti skis are not a dedicated powder ski, but they are said to perform well in a mix of powder and variable terrain. They are also described as being very maneuverable, making them a good choice for skiing in tight trees or bumps.

Overall, the K2 Mindbender 99Ti Skis are a great all-mountain ski that offers a blend of hard-charging performance and playful feel. They are ideal for skiers who want a ski that's both maneuverable and has strong edge hold.

Similarities

Both the Nordica Unleashed 98 Skis and the K2 Mindbender 99Ti Skis are designed to be versatile, all-mountain skis that can handle a variety of conditions and terrains. They are both aimed at advanced to expert skiers and have similar waist widths (98mm for the Nordica and 99mm for the K2), making them suitable for a range of snow conditions.

Both skis are praised for their carving ability and edge hold, with experts noting that they carve well for skis with such wide waists. They are also both described as being stable at speed and able to handle a variety of turn shapes.

In terms of construction, both skis feature some form of metal in their construction to enhance stability and edge hold. The Nordica Unleashed 98 Skis have a full twin tip and tail, while the K2 Mindbender 99Ti Skis feature K2's Titanal Y-Beam construction.

Finally, both skis are described as being fun and playful, with the ability to handle a mix of powder and groomed runs. They are both seen as good options for a one-ski quiver, able to handle everything from carving on groomers to floating in powder.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While the Nordica Unleashed 98 Skis and the K2 Mindbender 99Ti Skis share many similarities, they also have some key differences. The Nordica Unleashed 98 Skis are described as being more playful and freestyle-oriented, with a full twin tip and tail and a more cambered profile. They are also noted for their carving ability and stability, making them a great choice for skiers who like to mix up their skiing style and tackle a variety of terrains and conditions.

On the other hand, the K2 Mindbender 99Ti Skis are described as being more directional and hard-charging. They feature K2's Titanal Y-Beam construction, which provides a confident, stable ride at high speeds. They are also praised for their agility and edge hold, making them a good choice for skiers who prefer a more aggressive, high-speed ride.

In terms of who these skis are good for, the Nordica Unleashed 98 Skis would be a good choice for advanced to expert skiers who prefer a more playful and freestyle-oriented ride. They would also be a good choice for skiers who like to mix up their skiing style and tackle a variety of terrains and conditions.

The K2 Mindbender 99Ti Skis, on the other hand, would be a good choice for intermediate to advanced skiers who prefer a more directional and hard-charging ride. They would also be a good choice for skiers who value agility and edge hold, and who like to ski at high speeds.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When comparing the Nordica Unleashed 98 Skis and the K2 Mindbender 99Ti Skis, it's clear that both skis excel in different areas.

1. Playfulness: The Nordica Unleashed 98 Skis take the win in this category. With their full twin tip and tail and more cambered profile, they offer a more playful and freestyle-oriented ride.

2. Carving Ability: Both skis are praised for their carving ability, but the Nordica Unleashed 98 Skis are noted for their exceptional carving ability, making them the winner in this category.

3. Stability at Speed: The K2 Mindbender 99Ti Skis win in this category. Thanks to their Titanal Y-Beam construction, they provide a confident, stable ride at high speeds.

4. Versatility: Both skis are versatile and can handle a variety of conditions and terrains. However, the Nordica Unleashed 98 Skis are described as being a great all-rounder, making them the winner in this category.

Overall, the Nordica Unleashed 98 Skis and the K2 Mindbender 99Ti Skis are both excellent choices for advanced to expert skiers looking for a versatile, all-mountain ski. The best choice will depend on the individual skier's preferences and skiing style.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Nordica Unleashed 98 Skis and the K2 Mindbender 99Ti Skis are top contenders in the all-mountain ski category for the 2023 season. They both offer a versatile, playful, and high-performance ride for advanced to expert skiers. The Nordica Unleashed 98 Skis are praised for their carving ability, stability, and fun factor, while the K2 Mindbender 99Ti Skis are known for their agility, edge hold, and ability to handle a mix of powder and groomed runs.

The best choice between the two will depend on the individual skier's preferences and skiing style. If you prefer a more playful and freestyle-oriented ride, the Nordica Unleashed 98 Skis would be a great choice. If you prefer a more directional and hard-charging ride, the K2 Mindbender 99Ti Skis would be a better fit. Either way, you can't go wrong with either of these skis. They both offer a versatile and high-performance ride that will allow you to tackle a variety of conditions and terrains with confidence and ease. Happy skiing!