Ski Canada Test 2019 On-Slope Reviews
SO MUCH SKI LOVE
K2 took the 20th anniversary of its Women’s Alliance as an excuse to rethink almost its entire female-focused ski line. In the LUV Machine line of on-piste skis are two new models, the 72Ti and 74. The 72Ti is a missile with a 72mm waist and a Titanal laminate giving it powerful on-piste grip. The 74 is metal-free, so it promises to be snappy, fun and easy to ski. The Tough LUV is the highest-performing ski in the entirely new LUV Collection. To create a smooth ride at high speed and in variable conditions but without a weight penalty, K2 opted for a combination of carbon and flax in the Tough rather than metal. The combo is damp and stable for all-mountain riding. The Endless LUV and True LUV don’t have flax, but are otherwise similar. The Endless is more all-mountain oriented, while the True leans toward the frontside of the mountain. Three more skis round out the LUV Collection. Secret, Sweet and First LUV are more intermediate-focused skis with generous sweetspots and forgiving performance. (from $449; k2skis.com)
K2 TOUGH LUV
$849 * BEST FOR: Building confidence for going faster.
LENGTHS: 146, 153, 160, 167 * RADIUS: 14@160 * SIDECUT: 129/82/111
Our expert testers had no problem finding affection for the Tough Luv. “Lively and grippy, this ski loved both groomers and soft snow,” said Anne Terwiel. Yoshi Watanabe seconded that emotion: “It was a lot of fun to ski. Stiff enough that I could make high-speed turns and light enough that I could charge short radius, too.” The chatter-free stability comes from a carbon and flax weave that absorbs vibration like a sheet of metal, but has a more even and soft flex. Add women-specific build that’s light and powerful and the ski has versatility and forgiveness for athletic intermediates and up. Taller and heavier testers didn’t like it as much as lighter and less powerful testers. Everyone agreed it could go anywhere and make any turn shape, but the Tough Luv liked groomers and small and medium turns best.
