Expert Comparison: K2 Mindbender 99Ti Skis · 2023 vs Dynastar M-Free 99 Skis · 2024

Published on 02/12/2024 · 6 min readCompare K2 Mindbender 99Ti Skis · 2023 and Dynastar M-Free 99 Skis · 2024. Get expert insight below!
Austen Law, Ski Expert
Theo G, Ski Expert
Rob G., Ski Expert
Contributed By Ski Expert Austen Law, Theo G, Rob G., Thomas Harari, Jake Schneider and others

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Side by side comparison

Out of stock
K2 Mindbender 99Ti Skis · 2023
Out of stock
Dynastar M-Free 99 Skis · 2024
Price
$374.98
50% off
from:$349.98
50% off
User rating
5(25)
4.67(12)
The Curated Take

Best for intermediate to expert skiers who prefer high speed stability and versatility in various slopes.

Best for advanced skiers who enjoy a variety of styles, terrain, and snow conditions due to its versatility and playful nature.

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

In the world of all-mountain skis, the K2 Mindbender 99Ti Skis · 2023 and the Dynastar M-Free 99 Skis · 2024 are two top contenders. Both skis are designed for intermediate to advanced level skiers and offer a blend of power, agility, and versatility. The K2 Mindbender 99Ti is praised for its excellent carving ability, speed, and versatility. It's a ski that can "do it all," from floating in powder to carving on groomers. The Dynastar M-Free 99, on the other hand, is known for its playful and surfy feel, making it a fun choice for freestyle skiing. It also offers stability and responsiveness, making it a great all-mountain ski. Both skis are versatile and can handle a variety of snow conditions and terrains. However, the K2 Mindbender 99Ti might be a better choice for those who prioritize carving and speed, while the Dynastar M-Free 99 might be more suitable for those who enjoy a more playful and freestyle skiing experience.

The K2 Mindbender 99Ti Skis · 2023 is an all-mountain ski designed for intermediate to advanced level skiers. It's a versatile ski that can handle a variety of snow conditions and terrains. One of the standout features of the K2 Mindbender 99Ti is its excellent carving ability. Unlike many all-mountain skis, the K2 Mindbender 99Ti doesn't sacrifice carving performance for versatility. It can carve well, making it a rare find in the all-mountain category.

The K2 Mindbender 99Ti uses a technology called Slantwall, which adds a 30-degree angle to the sidewall, increasing the agility and responsiveness of the ski. This technology, combined with the ski's partial metal core, allows it to hold a lot of power through turns. The ski is also lightweight, yet it holds well and can shred fantastically.

The K2 Mindbender 99Ti is also great for skiing in powder. Thanks to its lightened wood core, it floats well and is nimble enough to slash powder and make great turns. It's also quick and easy to turn in the trees, making it a gem for tree skiing.

Despite its performance, the K2 Mindbender 99Ti is not without its issues. It's not ideal for park skiing due to its directional nature, and finding the sweet spot on the ski can be a bit challenging. However, once you find that sweet spot, the ski can tackle deep powder, carve exceptionally well, and cruise through mixed snow like a champion.

These new K2 Mindbender 99Ti skis can carve well, which I don’t find too often in the all-mountain category.

Austen Law
Ski Expert

The Dynastar M-Free 99 Skis · 2024 is a versatile all-mountain ski that offers a blend of hard-charging performance and playful freestyle skiing. It's designed for high intermediate, advanced, and expert skiers who want a ski that can handle a variety of styles, terrain, and snow conditions.

The Dynastar M-Free 99 features a hybrid core of foam and wood set with fiberglass, providing a stiff platform underfoot that offers great stability on trails and off-piste. Despite its stiffness, the ski has a soft tail and elongated tip, giving it a super surfy and smeary feel. This makes the ski playful and agile, yet stable and confident.

The ski is also very responsive and snappy, making it great for changing directions quickly in various terrain types. It has a lot of rocker in the tail, making it relatively centered and very maneuverable. This makes the ski great for skiing in trees and bumps.

While the Dynastar M-Free 99 is not a dedicated carving ski, it holds an edge well and can carve turns nicely on firm snow. It's also a great ski for powder, offering solid floatation for deep days despite its 99mm waist width.

These are super playful skis. They're not like the softest. They're not the most playful, but this is a really good balance between playfulness and power.

Theo G
Ski Expert

Similarities

Both the K2 Mindbender 99Ti Skis · 2023 and the Dynastar M-Free 99 Skis · 2024 are all-mountain skis designed for intermediate to advanced level skiers. They are both versatile and can handle a variety of snow conditions and terrains. Both skis have a 99mm waist width, providing a good balance between floatation in powder and agility on groomers.

Both skis are also praised for their stability and responsiveness. They offer a good balance between power and playfulness, allowing skiers to charge hard when they want to and be playful when they feel like it. Both skis are also great for skiing in trees and bumps, thanks to their maneuverability and quick edge-to-edge transitions.

In terms of construction, both skis feature a hybrid core that provides a stiff platform underfoot for stability and power. They also both have a softer tail and tip, giving them a surfy and playful feel.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both the K2 Mindbender 99Ti and the Dynastar M-Free 99 are versatile all-mountain skis, they each have their unique strengths and are suited to different types of skiers.

The K2 Mindbender 99Ti is known for its excellent carving ability. It's a great choice for skiers who prioritize carving and speed. It's also a great ski for powder, thanks to its lightened wood core. However, it's not ideal for park skiing due to its directional nature. This ski is perfect for intermediate to advanced skiers who want a ski that can "do it all," from floating in powder to carving on groomers.

On the other hand, the Dynastar M-Free 99 is known for its playful and surfy feel, making it a fun choice for freestyle skiing. It's also a great ski for powder, offering solid floatation for deep days despite its 99mm waist width. However, it's not a dedicated carving ski, although it holds an edge well and can carve turns nicely on firm snow. This ski is ideal for high intermediate, advanced, and expert skiers who want a versatile ski that can handle a variety of styles, terrain, and snow conditions.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

  1. Versatility: Both skis are highly versatile, but the K2 Mindbender 99Ti might have a slight edge due to its excellent carving ability. It's a ski that can "do it all," from floating in powder to carving on groomers.
  2. Playfulness: The Dynastar M-Free 99 wins in this category. It's known for its playful and surfy feel, making it a fun choice for freestyle skiing.
  3. Stability: Both skis offer great stability, but the K2 Mindbender 99Ti might be a bit more stable due to its Slantwall technology and partial metal core.
  4. Powder Performance: Both skis perform well in powder, but the Dynastar M-Free 99 might have a slight advantage due to its softer tail and elongated tip, which give it a super surfy and smeary feel in deep snow.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the K2 Mindbender 99Ti Skis · 2023 and the Dynastar M-Free 99 Skis · 2024 are excellent all-mountain skis that offer a blend of power, agility, and versatility. They are both suitable for intermediate to advanced level skiers and can handle a variety of snow conditions and terrains. The choice between the two ultimately comes down to personal preference and skiing style. If you prioritize carving and speed, the K2 Mindbender 99Ti might be the better choice for you. If you enjoy a more playful and freestyle skiing experience, the Dynastar M-Free 99 might be more up your alley. Either way, you can't go wrong with either of these skis. They are both top contenders in the world of all-mountain skis and are sure to provide a fun and exciting skiing experience.

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