Tester: Kim Reichhelm

The first parameter of any new ski design we define is its waist width. During the first round of testing there is a lot of variety in the skis. We’ll include other brands, unisex skis from K2 and the benchmark Alliance skis in this category. Once we decide the shape of the ski the engineers go back to Seattle and start making skis with different construction, all with the same chassis.  By the third or fourth round of testing, the differences among the skis are minute. We may have five pair of skis all exactly the same except for a paper-thin difference in the thickness of the wood core or a slightly different weave in the fiberglass layers.

Testing powder skis is a real treat, but it’s also a real job. The K2 Alliance team of testers takes the same test run over and over again to find the skis that rise to the top consistently. The team varies significantly in our ski style, age, size and aggressiveness. The variety in our ski styles helps us find the best overall ski design for the customer. Our mission is to design skis that are high performance and complement our individual style, regardless of our stance and aggressiveness.

When the morning snow report is over five inches of fresh, the Mindbender 106C is my ski of choice. As is the case with the 90C, the 106C features Spectral Braid™, a combination of carbon and fiberglass woven at an angle around the aspen core. This first of its kind construction gives the 106C versatility, stability and control. It’s amazingly quick edge-to-edge and super stable in variable conditions. The 106C has the perfect amount of float for the freshies in the morning yet continues to be forgiving and fun as the day goes on. Be warned this is not a sissy’s ski. Demo this ski in different lengths before you buy. A little bit shorter might be a better call if you are not super strong or aggressive.