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.

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.

The FCP and ACP are the first two locations that come in contact with the snow when the ski is placed on a flat surface. This type of camber is still the most versatile camber to keep a ski lively and versatile in all types or terrain or conditions. We use a traditional camber on certain models in all three categories of skis

This horizontal sidewall construction sandwiches a urethane layer in between ABS for shock ABSorption, lessening the impact of harsh landings and blows to the rider. The urethane is only used under foot to maximize the dampening but ABS is used toward the tip and tail to maximize performance and control.

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.