2021 K2 Reckoner 122

There's just something so satisfying about a big fat twin tip that's built for the deepest snow on earth. K2's all-new Reckoner 122 is just that ski. As the widest in the new Reckoner line, the 122 has width-appropriate taper and rocker, enabling the skier to stay on top and make smeary, surfy turns all day long. That is, if you're fortunate enough to ski in a place that has enough snow to justify a 122. If you do, then you've done something right in your life. Much like the wider of the Mindbender skis, the Reckoner 122 employs a carbon spectral braid technology. This allowed the designers to adjust the stiffness of the ski in a very specific way. They need to keep it a bit stiffer in front of and behind the mount zone, so they tighten their braid in those zones. It's a pretty cool way to be able to fine-tune both the torsional and longitudinal stiffness and response, and K2 has found a simple and effective way to do so. Unlike the Mindbenders though, which have tighter braids in the forebody and looser in the tail, the Reckoner is more elliptical in nature. This gives the ski a rounder, more playful personality versus the more directional MB 116. While we weren't able to get our on-staff testers on the ski, Bryan Finocchiaro was more than happy to lend his thoughts. There are a few videos of him out there doing some pretty insane stuff on skis, so I'm happy to take his advice.

"From the start you know that this ski's strength is powder-hands down! This is the most fun powder ski that I have used in years! Take the K2 Mindbender 116C and add a touch of reverse camber and a touch of playfulness and this to me is the ultimate powder ski. Any conditions, from a couple of inches of fresh, to soft, deep conditions, this is the ski. Easy to maneuver, and crushes the crud at high speeds. Smooth ride when the snow is soft. You will get tossed around in hard pack or groomed conditions. With the latter it definitely is harder to hold an edge but add a little bit of fresh and that ski will come to life." Certainly, that bit of soft snow allows the flex and camber of the ski to open up, at which point you're able to access the energy of the ski more efficiently and effectively.

He continues: "I believe this ski is for the playful skier-someone who is experienced in powder skiing. Someone who may have a park background would love this ski. I call these skis 'Butter Machines' because of the ease to lace butters in any snow conditions. When it comes down to it, this is the perfect ski for someone who travels out west to ski, skis powder, or the park rat what wants to have some fun with a big width." I'd like to have a butter machine, too, like a real one.

Taking the carbon spectral braiding one step further than the Mindbender skis, the Reckoner 122 has a totally different and unique blend of style and substance, and a skier who finds themselves in waist-deep powder more often than not should definitely hop on a pair of these skis. Get them on the right day, and you've done a good thing.