K2’s idea of Luv is normally of the lovey-dovey, coddling kind, but the Luv Machine 74Ti is from the tough love end of the emotional scale.  Its new, more rounded tip shape will ease the entry to a high edge angle, but it would behoove the pilot to know how to step on that edge once she’s been introduced to it.

The Luv Machine shares the shape of the Potion 74 XTi that preceded it, but note the “X” that’s no longer in the name.  The old ski had an elaborate superstructure called RoX that sucked up shock and a lot of other sensations. The new Luv dispenses with the RoX and further trims down with the Channel Light Core that removes material from the center of the chassis and concentrates mass over the edge.

However its insides have changed, the constant in this ski’s evolution is its unwavering edge grip, assisted by a traditional camber line and a sidecut that runs uninterrupted into the tip for neck-rein response.

“Really powers through turns,” said an admiring Kayla from Aspen Ski and Board. “Great edge hold. Extremely stable at speed, a super reliable carving ski for the advanced female.”