Ski Reviews

2022-2023 K2 Mindbender 99Ti, 184 cm

Reviewer Username: Mark Danielson

Reviewer Height: 6’2″

Reviewer Weight: 205 lbs

Reviewer Experience Level: Expert

DAYS USED: 2 days

TEST LOCATIONS: Crested Butte

TEST TERRAIN: Firm groomers | Softer groomers | Low-angle, off-piste terrain | Fairly steep off-piste terrain

TEST CONDITIONS: Extremely firm hardpack or ice | Pretty firm snow | Softer, but not deep snow | Firm, off-piste chop or crud

PERFORMANCE RATINGS

(0 = Terrible, 5 = Okay, 10 = Outstanding)

OVERALL IMPRESSION: 6/10

FORGIVENESS: 6/10

MANEUVERABILITY (How Loose / Easy to Pivot & Smear?): 6/10

MANEUVERABILITY (How Quick / Low is the Swing Weight?): 5/10

STABILITY: 5/10

SUSPENSION: 5/10

EDGE HOLD: 8/10

PLAYFULNESS: 6/10

SKI LENGTH: It felt a bit too short (184 cm length tested)

THIS SKI’S IDEAL TERRAIN: Firm groomers | Softer groomers | Low-angle, off-piste terrain

THIS SKI’S IDEAL SNOW CONDITIONS: Pretty firm snow | Softer, but not deep snow

WHAT TYPE(S) OF SKIER DO YOU IMAGINE WILL GET ALONG BEST WITH THIS SKI?

Intermediate and Advanced skiers who like an all-around, versatile, all-mountain ski with a touch of that solid feel of metal with vertical sidewalls. Size up to get more power at higher speeds, or size down to get more agility at not-so-fast speeds.

ARE THERE SIMILAR PRODUCTS YOU’VE SKIED THAT YOU CLEARLY PREFER? IF SO, WHY?

At this 99-mm waist width range, my personal preference is for the even more solid feel of full-width metal, no rocker in the tail, and little to no rocker in the tip. I can get that with older charger skis like the Dynastar Legend Pro, Head Monster m103, etc. For a lighter-weight version of those heavy classics, I would choose a 2014 Volkl Mantra.

PLEASE ELABORATE ON ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO SAY ABOUT THIS SKI. FEEL FREE TO GO INTO DETAIL!

My take is this ski is an all-around, versatile, all-mountain ski with a touch of that solid feel of metal with vertical sidewalls. Plus, I’d say its Edge Hold is the one aspect that is significantly better than just “all-around” performance.