2021 K2 Mindbender 106C Alliance

Surfy, fun, and playful, the K2 Mindbender 106 C Alliance is a fantastic ski for female powderhounds and freeriders. This shape for a soft snow ski is very effective for most resort conditions. While a bit narrow for the deepest snow on the planet, it should do just fine for pretty much everything else. K2 did a really nice job last year developing this ski and its build, making sure that the flex pattern matched the conditions that the ski would be found in. Starting with an Aspen wood core, K2 adds its carbon spectral braiding system which stiffens the ski in the forebody and through the waist, but tapers to the tail. This creates a more playful ski in the back end while retaining some of the more business-like qualities that are needed up front. By using these carbon stringers in a braiding style, K2 was really able to fine-tune the flex not only in the fore/aft orientation, but also torsionally. When you're skiing powder, you want the ski to flex naturally and not push back against you, and K2 did a great job in making this ski flex appropriately for the intended conditions. The lighter weight of the ski also makes it a good choice for a 50/50 touring/resort ski. A nice graphics refresh for 2021 is the only change, so skiers can expect the same great performance with an upgraded cosmetic.

In addition to our testers on staff, we were able to get some quality feedback from K2 athlete McKenna Peterson. She calls the 106 C "a playful yet solid ski for all conditions. This is my favorite ski for chopped up snow and 'crud', I grab this ski a few days after a storm when the off-piste is still skiing great but is a bit tracked out. The 106C has a more soft, playful feel than its sisters (the Mindbender Alliance 98Ti and 115c). Although the 106c is not technically a 'touring' ski it has the perfect combination of light weight and float-ability. Because it skis so well both in the resort and in the backcountry, it's a great candidate for a resort/backcountry combo binding (like the Shift). Many of the girls of the K2 Alliance choose the 106c for just that... a resort ski with uphill capability." Nice to point out the dual-nature of the ski for sure.

In addition to that floaty feeling that McKenna described, Caroline Kessler noted that the ski was "Powerful!" She skied the 175, the longest length available, and loved how it handled our softer snow here in VT. The 106 C "ripped big turns, cut through crud, was stable at high speeds, and floated through pow. This is a great big-mountain ski or an east coast all-mountain ski for an aggressive and strong skier." Allison Ruschp agrees, also skiing that 175. She had lots of 5's on her scorecard, including one for overall impression. Alli notes that she "would love to add this ski to my quiver-such a fun ski! Very skiable in mixed conditions, light and playful in bumps and woods, and easily maneuverable in trees." And in terms of the power that Caroline touched on, Alli notes that "this ski can handle it all. Even with the wide waist I was able to get a good carve." Good to note, as that 106 mm shape tends to scare some people off when it comes to on-trail performance. Looks like there's no issue here!

Bridging the gap between all-mountain and freeride skiing, the K2 Mindbender 106C Alliance is a fantastic choice for skiers looking for the ultimate in light weight powder skiing with some power to boot. Whether you're using it as a resort, touring, or a blend of the two, the 106C will be there for you every turn of the way.