K2’s initial attempts to make a willowy Frontside ski didn’t cut the mustard as true carving utensils when the iKonic series debuted 3 years ago. Last year the brand stopped kidding around, cooking up a carbon-reinforced, wood-and-metal structure that behaves like a carving ski instead of an off-piste ski serving time for misbehavior on the groom. For 2019, K2 extended the carbon spine reinforcement to improve tip connection in its early rise shovel.

In a brutally competitive category loaded with powerhouses, the latest iKonic 84ti fell out of the Recommended ranks by a nose. It’s still a fine ski and some of our testers would argue that’s it belongs in the first rank. Jan’s Jack Walzer captures its quintessential accent on forgiveness: “An easy ski to turn. Skiing the IKonic 84ti is like going back to an old friend, very predictable. A confidence-inspiring ski. Very easy going.”

The nearly perfect balance of Finesse and Power properties that the 2019 iKonic 84ti exhibits hits the target K2 was aiming at all along. It’s a great choice for the Finesse skier who wants a ski that will let him get better but won’t cramp his current style. For its way of making carving fun and effortless, we award the iKonic 84ti a Silver Skier Selection.