When twin tips were first being developed; the tails were designed totally different than the tips. The tails were shorter, lower and often had an abrupt curvature. These tails worked then but as the sport rapidly progresses, skiers are attempting to ski any terrain backwards and demands have changed. The tails on our newest skis are balanced in the length, height and curvature of our tips for optimal riding in both directions.

The K2 SchizoFrantic inserts allow for super fast mounting of the new K2/Marker Griffon SchizoFrantic binding system without the need for any drilling. The Schzio binding itself uses the tested and proven Triple Pivot Elite toe and Inter Pivot Heel with an ultra lightweight, low stand height track and cable system that enable you to mount once and adjust a full 6 cm along the ski. The insert patterns allow you to ski at the ‘core center’ mark for the optimal park and switch performance, or all the way back at a more traditional mounting location for powder of softer snow conditions. The increased surface area of the insert rings provides twice the pullout strength of standard binding screws.The new system will be offered on HellBent, obSETHed, Kung Fujas and Extreme skis.

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.

Directional Taper Moderately wider tip than tail maximizes directional performance and helps the ski perform optimally in the forward direction. This means the ski makes a different art when skiing switch. Bi-directional Taper The tip is still wider than the tail but the difference between the two is less than a directional ski. This lets the ski perform exceptionally while skiing in the forward direction but allows the skier to gain switch potential. This taper enable the skier to have better and more consistent switch riding that is more similar to the arc and performance in the forward direction. Symmetrical Taper Equal width of tip and tail. This ski is designed to ski forward and switch identically. A symmetrical ski has a switch arc that is equivalent to its forward arc. To maximize performance, the mounting location is in the absolute center of the ski.

Most of our factory series skis come standard with a thicker more durable steel edge to prolong the life of the ski. Normal thickness of edges is around 2.5mm whereas the Factory Series skis’ use a 3.5mm edge to withstand the added abuse. This thicker edge is far more resistant to crackingand grinding for a more durable, longer lasting ski.

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.

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.

ABS is a polymeric material used in sidewall construction that primarily functions to protect the core. K2 uses ABS because of its dense characteristics and impact toughness that not only aid in the direct transmission of power but also make it very durable and resistant to moisture.

The HellBent is built mainly with soft snow in mind so it has the most in the tip and tail. We call it 20/40 Rocker. The tip and tail are off the snow 20 mm up and 40 cm in from the ends of the ski for maximum float. The ski is flat underfoot with zero camber. The obSETHed has a Tip and Tail 10/20 Rocker. Tip and tail sit 10 mm off the snow and the ski contacts snow 20 cm in from the tip while sitting flat. The traditional camber underfoot gives the ski better versatility in all different snow conditions, especially firmer snow. The MissBehaved and Kung Fujas have Tip and Tail 5/30 Rocker. 5 mm up, 30 cm in. This gives the skis increased advantage in pow and crud over their traditional counterparts. Camber underfoot ensures adaptability on all terrain.

Unlike the cap construction, the contents of a sidewall ski are protected and sealed in by a vertical material on the perimeter of the ski that is separate and distinct from the top material. The sidewall material is placed directly above the edge for additional reinforcement and support. This type of construction tends to have a more precise transmission of power due to the vertical nature of the construction process.