Returning for another glorious year, the K2 Pinnacle 105 sits on the wider end of the popular Pinnacle series. Skirting the edge of the all-mountain to freeride category, the Pinnacle 105 is a fun, surfy ski that prefers to be used in fresh snow. It can accommodate a large variety of skier abilities, from intermediate on up to the top, thanks to its long tip rocker and medium flex. The long rocker up front makes for easy turning by making the ski feel a bit shorter than if the tip was more cambered. With a wood core, titanium layer, and triaxial fiberglass weave, the Pinnacle 105 is built for performance. Our testers loved the versatile and fun loving nature of the 105, and many of them commented on how snappy and light it was for how stable it performed.
Full disclosure: As the author of this review, I (Bob St.Pierre) also own a pair of these skis in a 191. I skied them on three of the snowiest days of my life here at Stowe and I do not have anything but the highest praise for how they handled the conditions. We found a nice untracked “pillowy” area and I let them fly. They felt as if they were made for those specific turns on that specific day with those specific friends. It was a perfect storm of all things good in the sport of skiing, and while I cannot attribute those facts to the skis, I also cannot un-remember the quality of the time I spent on them. For that, I will be eternally grateful to the K2 Pinnacle 105. Enough about me and my silly ski experiences, what did the other testers think?
Marcus Shakun skied the 177, and it was a bit short for him. He still scored it 5 out of 5 for flotation, and 4 out of 5 for all other categories. Again, these K2’s really sneak up on the testers. They seem to look past the K2’s, then they get on them, and they all really like them. He calls the 105 “light and lively. They ski so well through soft chopped up snow. The shovel is soft, so it smoothly blows up the chop. The Pinnacle 105 is quick edge to edge even for a wide platform. In terms of snappiness, they have snap in and out of turns. The stiffer tail holds well through the turn.” In terms of overall stability, Marcus was impressed with how they handled velocity: “They are stable at speed through the mashed potato snow—they do not get deflected.”
Mike Thomas called the skis “Just plain fun.” He skied the 184 and gave 5’s for flotation, quickness, maneuverability, and overall impression. It’s a nice combination when a ski gets top marks for flotation and maneuverability. That means K2 is doing something right. “They felt great skiing bumps as well as trenching GS turns in manky snow. They are very versatile and accessible. You do not have to be a particularly good skier to enjoy them, but a skilled skier can make them rip.” He continues with a very perceptive simile: “Like an old favorite pair of jeans: comfortable and easy to wear.”
Mike Aidala is a big K2 fan, and his experience on the Pinnacle 105 was not surprising. He skied the 177 cm length and scored it 5 out of 5 for flotation and torsional stiffness. His overall impression of 4 is an expected result. “The 105 Ti has a very playful and fairly forgiving performance. The skis are great in the soft spring snow. In the freeride category, the Pinnacle 105 is a great ski option to consider. For a ski at 105 mm underfoot, the performance is surprising.”
For all freeride enthusiasts looking for a high performing snowy day ski, click into the K2 Pinnacle 105 and take it for a ride.
