It’s hard to classify K2’s Mindbender 99 Ti as either a Finesse or a Power ski as it migrates freely across the border between these two behavioral territories. It Power properties derive from a yoke of Titanal that runs along the perimeter of the forebody, segues to an edge-to-edge binding platform and continues down the center of the tail. This design puts a premium on engaging the edge early and releasing it gently. Its double-rockered baseline uses only enough elevation at tip and tail to maintain flow in uneven terrain, so the skier feels end-to-end snow contact whether on groomers or off-trail.

While the Mindbender Ti models were introduced just last year, they are part of a K2 tradition that stretches back several product generations. If K2’s essence could be distilled to a single trait or two, it would be made of equal parts forgiveness and ease of use. The Mindbender 99 Ti doesn’t try to dictate turn shape nor does it require breakneck speed to get it to bend. It doesn’t have a terrain preference – it’s surprisingly snaky in the bumps – but its torsionally soft tail is more attuned to pushing against soft snow than biting into ice. As long as the surface has some give to it, the Mindbender 99 Ti is a competent carver and a confidence builder for someone still polishing their off-trail talents.

To give the Mindbender 99 Ti more bite on crispy groomers, K2 elevates the ABS sidewalls in the ski’s midsection, right above zone where the “Ti Y-Beam” stretches edge to edge. The PowerWall sidewall is anchored to the core, so it performs like an integrated plate that automatically increases the skier’s leverage and power where it’s needed most.

Contributing to the Mindbender 99 Ti’s Finesse attributes are its huge sweetspot – a K2 signature trait – and a willingness to morph into whatever suits your style. It can mimic any turn shape according to how steeply it’s edged, or abandon edging all together and smudge its way downhill. Because it’s just as happy to drift as carve, the Mindbender 99 Ti is an ideal match for someone taking his or her first forays into off-piste terrain. K2 never forgets that the whole point of skis as wide as the Mindbender 99 Ti is to make off-trail skiing substantially easier for skiers who aren’t already all-terrain experts.

Because of its compliant disposition and ease of operation in all conditions, we award the Mindbender 99 Ti a Silver Skier Selection.