Frequently Asked Questions about K2 Skis


Sean Pettit on the 2022 Mindbender Ti for K2 Skis. Photo by Jack Dawe
It can be daunting to commit to a new ski purchase, and you might have a lot of questions before you select a pair. If you've already settled on a brand and know you want a pair of K2 skis, all that's left to do is choose a model!
As a Ski Expert here on Curated, I've fielded questions about every ski under the sun. Here, I've compiled some questions I've received about K2 skis and the answers I wrote up, in case they might be helpful in your research process. Want to talk through your decision more? Reach out to me or another Ski Expert here on Curated and we can chat one-on-one to figure out the best pair of skis for you.
The skis discussed below are the:
- K2 Mindbender 88Ti Alliance Skis - 2022
- K2 Mindbender 99Ti Skis - 2022
- K2 Reckoner 102 Skis - 2022
- K2 Mindbender 108Ti Skis - 2021
2022 K2 Mindbender 88Ti Alliance Skis
How do the K2 Mindbender 88TI Alliance skis compare to the K2 Mindbender 90Ti?
The Mindbender line is incredibly responsive and energetic as a whole, and the 90Ti is no exception! They are rocket ships and have a really nice width for carving groomers while having some capacity for powder. For more information on which might be a better fit for you, reach out to a Ski Expert here on Curated.
2022 K2 Mindbender 99Ti Skis
How do the K2 Mindbender 99TI skis compare to the Faction Dictator 2.0?
Having ridden both the Mindbender and Dictator 2.0, I can see why they would be directly compared to each other. Both are stiffer and more demanding and really necessitate that the skier keeps their weight forward. The main difference lies in the way the metal affects their performance. The Dictators have two full sheets of titanal metal which create an even flex pattern and a less dynamic ride, in comparison to the Mindbender Tis. The Mindbenders have a Y-beam of titanal which increases torsional rigidity in its tips while allowing the tails to be a little more playful and swishy.
I’m just under 6’2”, but I read that the 184 length in these skis were on the heavier side, which had me leaning toward the 177s. Do you have any advice on that?
I would base your decision on the length and stiffness of skis you normally ride. The Mindbender Ti line is on the stiff and demanding side, so if you aren't used to or you don’t want a heavier ski, then it's worth trying out the 177s or even looking into the Carbon line of Mindbenders (90C), which uses a spectral carbon braid for metal reinforcement without adding extra beefiness or weight underfoot.
2022 K2 Reckoner 102 Skis
I'm 168cm tall (5’6”) and weigh about 66kg (145lbs). How would these skis suit me? I ski mostly directional and all-mountain—mostly off-piste, trees, bumps, some pow, soft terrain, and a little on piste. I've also looked at some smaller waist skis, like the Bent Chetler Mini and the Honey Badger (both around 90mm). Which skis do you think would suit me best?
The waist width of your ski will really depend on where you like skiing the most. If you aren't doing a ton of carving on hardpack (think East Coast), then you are safe to go wider to the 102mm without sacrificing edge hold. In order to really narrow down the waist width and ski profile/specs that would be right for you, message a Ski Expert if you'd like to chat, so we can grab the perfect pair of skis for you!
I’m looking for a daily driver in New England which means they have to handle the ice. I would also use them off-piste, into trees, on moguls, and into deep snow when conditions allow. Are these the best ski for me?
Given the width of the Reckoner 102, I would say that they will fit in the East Coast all-mountain ski category, but they are definitely on the wider side of things. With width, you lose some edge-to-edge control and bite into an icier hardpack. With that said, they will be a blast all over the mountain and feel super versatile in tighter spots like bumps or trees. Plus, you'll be glad to have the width on deeper days!
How good would these be for someone who’s 6’5” and 220lbs? Would they be too soft? I’m not looking to charge, but I do want to make sure they’re stiff enough to land jumps and ski tight trees out West.
The Reckoners have softer tips and tails with a slightly stiffer underfoot. They really aren't a stiff ski though, so I would recommend a stiffer option for you since you can put so much power into your skis naturally. If you are liking K2's lineup this winter, we have some killer options that will feel a lot more stable underfoot for you. A Curated Expert can send you a Curation to find the perfect setup for you!
How do these compare to the Sir Francis Bacons?
The Sir Francis Bacons are 107mm underfoot, so definitely within the powder width range, compared to the 102mm Reckoner waist (which is more of an all-mountain ski). The SFBs will feel surfier for deep days and much lighter underfoot. They're a bit more "noodly" than the Reckoners, so hard-chargers would prefer the latter of the two.
I plan to buy these skis, but I don’t know where to mount my binding! I’d use them as an all-mountain park ski as well as in powder. I was considering -1cm or -2cm from the center, but what would you recommend?
The Reckoners 102 will be such a fun park and all-mountain ski for you! They come marked with a "team" and a "midsole" line—the team line is -2.1 cm from the true center while the midsole line is -4.2 cm from true center, and you could additionally mount one cm back from this midsole line. The farther back you go, the more you'll be able to drive the tips of the skis, so that could be the way to go with a crossover all-mountain, park ski.
2021 K2 Mindbender 108Ti Skis
Will these work in deep powder?
I love these skis as an all-mountain, powder-oriented ski! At 108mm underfoot, they are definitely in the "powder" range of ski widths, without being too wide to control around the mountain on non-powder days. If you are liking the Mindbenders construction and profile but want a powder-exclusive ski, you could look at the even wider Mindbenders models like the 116s.
I hope this helped answer any questions you might have about some of K2's most popular skis! If you have any more questions or if you're curious about other brands and models, reach out to a Ski Expert here on Curated, and we'd be stoked to help you find your perfect ski.