Big mountain competitor and coach Emma Whitelande was part of the K2 Alliance test team throughout the Mindbender 88Ti Alliance’s development. Here’s a digest of her report on helping create the single ski that can handle whatever is thrown in its path.

“Titanal Y-Beam construction evolved through the process of developing the desired weight and stiffness for the women’s 88Ti. Titanal is laid over the ski in a ‘Y’ shape creating the flex profile, producing precise turn initiation while allowing for easy release out of a turn and a wide variety of turn shapes. Having the metal laid out in a ‘Y’ allows for a savings of unnecessary weight while maintaining desired stiffness. The Titanal Y-Beam created for the Mindbender 88 Ti Alliance became the design that was applied to the rest of the Mindbender collection, both for men and women.

“With each subsequent test and discussion, the team all agreed we sought to create a ski that felt stable, balanced and confidence-inspiring to a range of skier types. Too heavy of a ski would steer many women away, but going too light meant the ski would constantly deflect and bounce around. An overly stiff ski would require too much muscling and race technique to get the ski to bend.

“It took numerous on snow tests throughout the season, limitless discussion, brainstorming, working and reworking ideas, not to mention the countless hours the engineers spent transferring and deciphering testers feedback to the drawing board in order to build and improve on prototype after prototype. The end result is the Mindbender 88Ti Alliance, K2’s most versatile and high preforming women’s ski to date. It can serve as a one-ski quiver for anyone from an ex-racer to an intermediate. From carving groomers to tackling moguls, this ski gives the skier the confidence she can do it all.”