When K2 introduced its iKonic construction 3 years ago, the brand was determined to strip away excess weight, both by liposuction (dampening material was removed) and a change in diet (the use of heavier construction materials like wood and metal was curtailed, replaced with lightweight synthetic material.)

The radical make-over worked pretty well in K2’s off-trail Pinnacle models, but it proved too aggressive a weight loss regimen for its iKonic carving skis. Two years ago, it added some carbon reinforcement, which helped, but otherwise didn’t re-do the original. For 2018, K2 continued with the Konic idea – a lightweight center channel, tip and tail, with wood and metal around the perimeter – but otherwise completely redesigned its flagship Frontside models. K2 changed the iKonic 80ti’s shape, added a carbon “spine” to improve damping and torsional rigidity, increased the Titanal component by 35% and replaced the synthetic core with an all-wood affair.

All these alterations made the iKonic 80ti a much more competent carver than the original effort. It’s particularly adept at short-radius turns, but will make bigger turns if asked. All these performance improvements haven’t altered the quintessential K2 trait of forgiveness. Turns flow intuitively edge to edge with a reliable grip that inspires confidence.