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.

Working with the Alliance Team to further develop our line of women’s specific skis has lead to the Bioflex core, a breakthrough multi-wood core technology. Used on our T:Nine series of skis, the combination of two distinctly different woods, fir and spruce, provides a blend of stability and forgiveness in our women’s skis. Not just different layers of wood, but completely different cores fused together at the tip and tail. Spruce, a light, soft wood is used in the extremities of the tip and tail and fir, a more solid, dense wood is used underfoot. The Spruce provides easy turn initiation, lightweight characteristics, and overall ease that T:Nine skis have come to be known for. The Fir underfoot provides a new level of confidence inspiring control, predictability and stability. The 2009/10 core incorporates a bamboo stringer that runs down the center of the entire core for added strength. The beauty of the Bioflex core is that it produces a lighter weight core which translates into skis that are easier to maneuver and causes less fatigue than a comparable men’s size and model. The Bioflex core can also be tuned to the performance level of the ski. The Burnin’ Luv and True Luv both share a Bioflex core, but the flex and performance levels differs dramatically.

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.

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.

K2 introduced tip and tail rivets 7 years ago on the Factory Series skis. They were functionally developed for additional protection, reinforcing the tip and tail of the ski against delamination. Although function is still the primary purpose, K2 has evolved the rivets and plates into stylized components.