Test 2020: K2 Mindbender 98 Ti Alliance
BEST FOR: A B.C. quiver of one.
LENGTHS: 154, 161, 168, 175
DIMENSIONS: 134/98/120
RADIUS: 16@168
SUGGESTED RETAIL: $700
OTHER MODELS: 115C, 106C, 90C, 88 Ti, 85
When K2 launched the Mindbender series, it made some big claims. Quick edge-to-edge. Amazing float. No speed limit. Grips hard snow. And “the most versatile women’s ski we’ve ever made.” Backing up its words was a new construction method. Above the wood core K2 laid a unique Y-shape Titanal sheet. The design allowed the company to create a ski that’s stiff between the edges so it will hold a carve, but then tune the flex through the rest of the ski. It has a softer tip, stiff middle and even stiffer tail. Add a little tip and tail rocker and the Mindbender 98 Ti was easy to turn, surprisingly nimble for its width, loved being on edge and felt damp hauling down icy groomers. “It seemed to be good at everything,” said Shelby Miller. In other words, K2 wasn’t all talk. Though testers had to settle for slush not powder when testing the float, the consensus was it would do more than fine in the light stuff. The ski was most popular with advanced and expert skiers, but even lighter-weight testers found it a fun, agile ride. One of the bigger models of the six women’s Mindbenders, the 98 is one of the highest performance skis, but still approachable for aggressive intermediates and up.
