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

Catch Free technology is a new camber design for entry level skis that slightly raises the FCP and ACP off the snow for easier transitioning between turns. A ski with Catch Free technology makes it easier to swivel the ski from left to right without the tip or tail catching on the surface of the snow. Catch Free technology is used as a learning tool to introduce novice skiers to the ease of getting down the mountain.

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.

These precision cut skins are designed to work with specific K2 BackSide models including the Darkside, Sidestash, Hardside, Coomback, and the GotBack. Simply choose the skin for your ski model and length. Go Skiing.

For the Backlash, WayBack, Backup, PayBack, and She’sBack, we offer trim-to-fit skins.

Quick, simple and lightweight, the Z Clip utilizes the hole in the ski tip and eliminates the skin fold-over required with typical D rings. This not only reduces weight, but gets rid of the buildup of snow that accumulates under the fold, which eventually peels your skins off.

This adjustable strap interfaces with the tail hole to secure and register the skin to the center of the ski. Unlike most clips which create friction by dragging in the snow every step, this clip sits on top of the ski, thereby improving glide and efficiency.

MOD is an integrated high performance suspension system, and mass dampener. It functions by absorbing vibrations and impact loads in all types of snow conditions providing stronger edge hold and a higher degree of power and control. MOD is unique because mass is applied as a secondary core independent from the traditional, primary wood core. With mass added separately, both cores can flex or move on top of one another allowing the overall ski flex to be unaffected. Additionally, the ski retains ease, versatility, and liveliness while greatly reducing vibrations and chatter. The men's and women's MOD technology have been sculpted differently on the two sets of skis to accommodate for the differing body makeups. The women's specific and Apache specific tech sections discuss the differences in further detail.

The Monic is a solid zinc mass embedded in the secondary core so it works in conjunction with the MOD structure to focus mass dampening at a targeted location. Independent studies at Boeing Test Laboratories helped pinpoint a precise location where “focused” mass dampening would reduce harmonic vibration to further dampen and quiet the ski. The MOD Monic dampens at a precise location where the overall MOD structure dampens the entire length of the ski. The addition of MOD Monic enables the overall MOD structure to be lightened, reducing the weight while still optimizing the dampening characteristics of the ski. The men's Apache and women's T:Nine series feature two different MOD monic varations. The women's MOD monic and men's MOD monic consistently target mass dampening, but slightly differently. The Apache specific and women's specific tech sections provide further details.

Hybritech blends the race room performance of sidewalls underfoot with the ease and forgiveness of cap construction in the tip and tail. Offered exclusively on the Side series, Hybritech makes skis strong, accurate and powerful underfoot, while maintaining smooth initiation and easy exits from turns.

Our Adventure skis use an Aspen/Paulownia blend core. Lower-density Aspen and even lighter-weight Paulownia allow us to reduce the weight that results from the added surface area of wider skis. In addition, the Bio Core is 15% lighter than the fir/aspen blend traditional in our all-mountain skis.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The shape of the secondary elastomeric core has been sculpted to distribute mass in ways that ensure the smoothest ride. Overall the MOD is thickest toward the center of the ski to insulate the skier from vibrations and tapers toward the tip and tail to minimize swing weight making the skis easier to maneuver. The optimum location and thickness of mass differs from men to women reflected in the different MOD shapes for our Apache and T:Nine series of skis. The men’s MOD structure distributes the mass of the secondary core increasing torsional rigidity through its X shape MOD design and perimeter mass for increased edge hold.

Although the precise location of the MOD Monic’s strategic mass dampening is consistent between our men and women’s models, the amount of focused mass is different. Through extensive testing with members of our ATD, we have determined the optimal MOD Monic mass on our Apache series that helps dampen vibrations for a smoother ride. The redesigned men’s MOD Monic also has a new X shape that further compliments the X shaped MOD structure.

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.

Bamboo and Paulownia stringers are used to add lightweight strength to the ski cores. These wood species are fast growing and locally sourced making them a better renewable choice than traditional cores.

Our women’s skis use a thinner layer of Titanal compared to the Apache line which further reduces the overall weight of our women’s skis while still providing the dampening characteristics produced by a metal laminate ski construction

All T:Nine skis are built with the midsole of the ski 2 cm forward relative to the standard midsole point for a men’s ski. This accommodates the anatomical fact that the center of mass for a woman is generally much lower than that of a man. By moving the midsole forward, it places the center of mass of the average woman in the optimum position over the ski, allowing for more control and easier turn initiation.

The shape of the MOD structure is sculpted to distribute mass in ways that ensure the smoothest ride. In both men’s and women’s skis the MOD is thickest toward the center of the ski to insulate the skier from vibrations and tapers toward the tip and tail to minimize weight making the skis easier to maneuver. The optimum location and thickness of mass differs from men to women so we introduced different MOD shapes for our T:Nine skis. The aesthetic look of the MOD shape has also been customized with a softened, more shaped appearance that graphically ties into the design of the skis.

Although the location for this targeted mass dampening is consistent between our men’s and women’s models, the amount of focused mass is different between the two lines of skis. Through extensive testing with the members of our Alliance team, we have selected the optimal MOD Monic mass for each model to dampen vibrations and provide a smoother ride. The women’s MOD Monic is designed to accent the overall look without sacrificing function.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

“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.

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.

With two sheets of lightweight titanium alloy running the length of the ski, metal laminate skis are the highest performing and most complex constructions available from K2. Built from the base up, this construction consists of alternating layers of fiberglass and titanium above and below the wood core. Metal laminates provide damp, accurate, unshakable performance, ideal for expert level all-mountain skis.

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.