2022 K2 Disruption STI

If you're a fan of a wide-open groomer, you're likely to love the 2022 K2 Disruption STi. This series from K2 is all about speed, precision, and smoothness on the trail. At 72 mm underfoot, the STi is the narrowest of the line and requires the utmost in balance and skill. If you haven't been on such a narrow ski in a while, and with this shape, it does take a quick second to adjust, but when you do find that balance point, these things really start to light it up. In the 165 cm length, the skis generate a 13.6-meter turn radius, and this is on the short side (hence STi) for a carving ski. So, be prepared to be on edge-not the best skis for straight lining, but a fantastic choice for skiers who are looking for lightweight precision and high-end smoothness. Built with an aspen veneer wood core and K2's titanal I-Beam, the skis have a fair amount of strength to them for sure. Our testers were pretty stoked on the light weight and smooth-turning nature of the K2 Disruption STi.

Warner Nickerson has an extensive racing background, so it's awesome to get someone of his level and capacity to share his thoughts and experience on the skis. "So just to explain the numbers... Float - Not relevant. Stability - They are extremely stable for a 165, but true stability comes with length so I can't call it a 5. Quickness - They are very quick from edge to edge, which makes it a super-fun ski for making tight radius turns with a 13m radius. I skied these on an icy morning in eastern conditions they were super fun and great on soft groomed snow too. Playfulness - This is my favorite part of these skis. They have a very large sweet spot through lots of terrain; you can shred forward, back, or in the middle of the ski. Also, in playfulness, they aren't twitchy skis so you can be playful with turn shape. Forgiveness - The very big sweet spot makes it a very forgiving ski. Torsional Stiffness/Edge Hold - These skis rip. They have great torsional stiffness and very very impressive edge grip, but they do not have the torsional stiffness of thick and heavy race skis. Versatility - Between the huge sweet spot, very good stability, and ability to be playful with turn shape they get a 5. Overall Impression they are great skis by all level of testers. I'd say they are best for intermediate to very good skiers looking to push it that doesn't want a heavy, stiff race ski." Good stuff to note there, that while for most skiers, these will feel like high-end race skis, racers and ex-racers who are super-powerful might get the advantage over the STi.

Jeff Neagle asks: "How many turns do you want to make? Lots? That's good. Short radius carving enthusiasts will love these. I really enjoy skiing them myself, but they do take a lot of work. Around a 13m turn radius in the length I tested. Plenty of torsional stiffness and a good amount of energy coming out of a turn too, so you need to be on it. Not the type of ski you can relax on and just cruise, it needs to be skied, and awards an active, aggressive skier. That said, I do think they are just a little bit easier to ski than something like a World Cup slalom ski. The way K2 uses metal in the Disruption skis is really cool, and actually allows the ski to flex a little bit more in a torsional manner, which makes it easier to enter a turn. Once you're in that turn, the grip is fantastic, but it's easier to get there, which is nice. Still, this level of torsional stiffness with this turn radius is pretty demanding, so realistically it's not a great choice for a beginner/intermediate level skiers. Even less aggressive advanced skiers might find it a bit much. Thankfully, with a ski like this, chances are you know what you're getting into if you're considering buying a pair." Fair warning, Jeff!

Skiers who are looking to make a slalom-style turn without a true slalom ski will love the forgiveness and playfulness of the Disruption STi. They are light, easy to turn, and incredibly fun. Skiers looking for precision and edge grip will be huge fans of these new skis from K2.