Triaxial Braiding
Triaxial Braiding was developed by K2 in 1988 and is still the best way to apply fiberglass to a wood core. This process consists of sending a milled wood core through the patented Triaxial Braiding machine, where interlocking strands of fiberglass wrap the core. This unique method produces skis that have a great deal of torsional or twist rigidity and strength, while maintaining the lively innate flex characteristics of its wood core.
Rocker Technology
In a rockered ski design the tips and tails are turned up like a water ski. In this case FCP and ACP are no longer the contact points when the ski is lying on a flat surface. Rocker enables the ski to float on top of softer snow without the tip diving since the ski naturally wants to elevate or plane with this design. There are varying degrees of rocker but in general the larger the distance off the snow, the more soft snow focused the ski becomes. We quantify Rocker with three specific characteristics.
• Location: The region where the rocker is located.
• Height: The height (mm) of the rocker off the snow
• Length: The length (cm) of the rockered region.
Flat Tails
All of our Adventure skis come with flat tails because they add tremendous utility to a backcountry ski. By allowing you to easily plunge the tails into firm snow, you can build anchors, stake out your tent, or merely secure your skis while retrieving something from your pack, none of which is possible with twin tips or kick tails.
Wood Core
K2 men’s All-Mountain models use fir and aspen for their inherent strength, durability and energy. The new Adventure Series skis use an Aspen and Paulownia blend. All women's skis use a combination of fir and spruce in a unique Bioflex core process. Spruce is used as a lighter weight alternative to solid fir. The Bioflex and Aspen/Paulownia cores also feature a bamboo stinger for additional strength without adding weight to the ski.
Torsion Box Technology
Torsion Box construction is the foundation for the widest range of skis designed by K2. Depending on the dimensions of a ski, and the amount of flex and torsion designed into it, one model of a Torsion Box ski can differ greatly from another. The versatility in the construction enables us to build everything from entry-level through expert skis. While there will be significant differences between a DarkSide and a MissConduct, they do share the common traits of ease, forgiveness, responsiveness, and energy that can be found in all Torsion Box skis.
Skin Clip Arch
The tails of our Adventure skis come with a concave notch to ensure the skin clip, regardless of size, stays securely centered on the tail.
Powder Specific Tip Design
The widest point of this tip is the forward contact point as opposed to 7cm in front of it like most of our shaped skis. This design makes the ski more stable and predictable because it won’t hook or grab erratically in windblown snow and other variable conditions that you’re likely to encounter in the backcountry.
Cap Construction
“Cap” skis are built with a sophisticated molding process that envelops the core and internal materials with the top layer of the ski. Capped skis share the common characteristics of being very durable and lightweight. The construction process is nearly identical for an entry and expert level ski. What determines the characteristics of the ski are the variations in the layers of the core materials. For this reason, cap skis can be used for just about any type of skiing and performance level.
Tip and Tale Holes
All Adventure skis come with holes drilled in the tip and tail that facilitate building a quick, solid rescue sled, or the construction of a ski anchor. The holes come with plugs that can be removed with a simple twist of a flat head screwdriver. These holes also function as skin attachment points for our new skins.
Rocker
All SIDE skis, and select BACK models come with varying degrees of shovel rocker, but normal cambered tails. Shovel rocker improves the agility of big skis by enabling them to initiate quickly, and easily adjust turn shape. The normal cambered tail makes it easy to scrub speed in powder, and increases versatility by providing better accuracy and hard snow performance than a fully rockered ski.
COOMBAck
135/102/121
Coombs was the consummate adventure skier. He was equally happy ticking off first descents in the Chugach via helicopter, as he was skinning to the top of Antarctica’s Mt. Vinson. Consequently, he needed skis that delivered solid edge hold and stability at speed, but were also light enough for touring. To accomplish that, K2 retained the powder tip, progressive sidecut and buoyant 102 waist that gave the original Coomba superior predictability in erratic conditions. Then we added slight shovel rocker to give it quicker initiation and better versatility. We think Doug would be proud.
A percentage of all COOMBAck ski sales will be donated to the Coombs family. K2 will also donate a portion of the proceeds to the American Mountain Guides Association’s Chad Vanderham Endowment which is focused on improving guide education and safety.
Performance: Soft Snow 70% Variable Snow 30%
Sizes: 167, 174, 181, 188
Radius: 22m@174
Construction: Torsion Box Cap
Core: Fir/Aspen
Weight: 1825g@ 174
Binding Options: Flat
Sizes: 167, 174, 181, 188
Radius: 22m@174
Construction: Torsion Box Cap
Core: Fir/Aspen
Weight: 1825g@ 174
Binding Options: Flat
FEATURES:
2/30 Tip Rocker, 14/12 Progressive Sidecut, Powder Tip, Tip and Tail Attachments Holes, Flat/Notched Tail
