Ski: 2022-2023 K2 Dispatch 120, 186 cm
Available Lengths: 178, 186, 192 cm
Blister’s Measured Tip-to-Tail Length (straight-tape pull): 185.5 cm
Blister’s Measured Weight per Ski: 1813 & 1825 grams
Stated Dimensions: 139-120-130 mm
Blister’s Measured Dimensions: 138.6-119.5-129.4 mm
Stated Sidecut Radius (186 cm): 29 meters
Measured Tip & Tail Splay (ski decambered): 82.9 mm / 31.5 mm
Measured Traditional Camber Underfoot: 2.5 mm
Core Materials: paulownia + unidirectional flax + titanal (2 partial layers) + carbon laminate
Base: “steadfast” base
Factory Recommended Mount Point: -9.85 cm from center; 82.9 cm from tail
Ski: 2022-2023 K2 Dispatch 120, 178 cm
Blister’s Measured Tip-to-Tail Length (straight-tape pull): 177.4 cm
Blister’s Measured Weight per Ski: 1705 & 1714 grams
Stated Dimensions: 139-120-130 mm
Blister’s Measured Dimensions: 138.8-119.4-129.5 mm
Measured Tip & Tail Splay (ski decambered): 75.5 mm / 30 mm
Measured Traditional Camber Underfoot: 1.5 mm
Factory Recommended Mount Point: -9.6 cm from center; 79.1 cm from tail
[Editor’s Note: In the interest of getting you information sooner on some of the products we’re reviewing, we’re posting here some of our measured specs and manufacturer details, and will update in the future. Take a look, and let us know in the Comments Section below what questions you’d like us to answer.]
What K2 says about the Dispatch 120
“The Dispatch 120 was built for steep, deep, and bottomless terrain. With our all-new Titanal Hex Beam construction, Steadfast Base, and Unidirectional Flax, this soft-snow specific ski boasts a foolproof union of weight-conscious stability and dampness. Perfect for turning the backcountry into your personal playground.”
Flex Pattern
Here’s how we’d characterize the flex pattern of the 186 cm Dispatch 120:
Tips: 5.5-6
Shovels: 6.5-7.5
In Front of Toe Piece: 8-10
Underfoot: 10
Behind the Heel Piece: 10-9
Tails: 8.5
And here’s how we’d characterize the flex pattern of the 178 cm Dispatch 120:
Tips: 5.5
Shovels: 6-7.5
In Front of Toe Piece: 8-10
Underfoot: 10
Behind the Heel Piece: 10-9
Tails: 8.5
These two lengths of the Dispatch 120 are nearly identical, with the tips and shovels of the 186cm length being slightly stiffer than the 178cm length. One thing that’s interesting across all the Dispatch skis is that they have a really thick core profile underfoot, and that thick section extends pretty far outside the bindings, which equates to a very stiff flex around the middle of the ski.
Stay Tuned…
We have received all 3 models from K2’s new Dispatch series, with multiple lengths of the Dispatch 120 and 110. We got some time on them at the 2022 Blister Summit, and Jonathan Ellsworth sat down with K2’s Jed Yaiser to talk about the new Dispatch series (and particularly the Dispatch 120) in a video we just posted. Keep an eye out for updates, and let us know of any questions you have about the Dispatch 120 in particular.
Really looking forward to what you think about the Dispatch 101, as this might be the top contender to replace my Wayback 106.
Ive spent some time on a prototype 101 and I own and ski the final production model dispatch 110. They are very different skis than the wayback 106, which I also have owned. The dispatchs are way stronger, want much longer turn shapes, yet are easy to cut loose and shut speed down if needed. The wayback was very easy going, the dispatch wants to run and will punish you a bit if you get too far backseat. The very high turn radius will keep running if you aren’t able to stay centered and forward. I wouldn’t say that the dispatch is hard to ski, just that compared to the wayback it has a lot of material length and mass and a much higher turn radius. The wayback always felt like a hippie pow ski for nice tidy easy going turns. The dispatch is a lot more aggressive. Feels similar to 4frnt skis except you can notice the bit of camber for better and worse depending on perspective. Compared to 4frnt I feel more fore aft balance on the dispatch because of the camber. But on tight icy luge track exits you are definitely reminded that these have 25m+ turn radii and they require good technique or a lot of strength to maneuver in those areas. All in all they are way more capable skis than the waybacks but require more effort to pilot, and because of that you are rewarded with a very damp very stable ski that is predominantly loose and surfy feeling but has enough camber that you have a predictable ride in the firm.
Curious how this stacks up against the ON3P Billy Goat 118 Tour…..seems very very similar. Has anyone been on that ski?