[The test results for the Pinnacle 105 are from 2016; its only changes for 2017 are cosmetic.]

K2 earns our eternal admiration for keeping their focus on making off-trail skiing easier. This is particularly apropos in the Big Mountain arena, where the best skiing isn’t on the groomers. The Pinnacle 105 possesses the magical quality of making previously unplayable terrain part of the daily routine, like playing the forward tees allows the average golfer to enjoy a tough course.

The Pinnacle 105 might be the best application of K2’s Konic technology that concentrates practically all mass over the edge. The Nanolite material used in the central core fans out at the extremities, forming the tip and tail entirely from this featherweight stuffing. The reduction in swing weight is one reason the Pinnacle 105 steers like a narrower ski.

Skiers who enjoy making round, rhythmic turns in new snow will love the Pinnacle 105’s easy handling. Of course the tip and tail are rockered, allowing the midsection to sink into a turn as comfortingly as slipping into a warm bath. It responds well to a light touch, yet it has enough grip underfoot to hold a clean trajectory when riding a groomer back to the lift.

One of the charms of the Pinnacle 105 is that it’s ideal someone making their first forays off-trail, yet it has enough moxie to appeal to experts. “Light weight for a 105, it held an edge very well and was stable at speed,” said an impressed member of the Jans gang.

Like all our Finesse favorites, the Pinnacle 105 steers comfortably at the relatively low edge angles fostered by an upright stance. Along with its floaty surface area and mild flex, this attribute makes powder skiing almost exertion-free. We can’t think of a more appropriate recipient of a Silver Skier Selection.