2022 K2 Mindbender 106C Alliance

On the wider and more playful side of the realm is the K2 Mindbender 106 C Alliance. As a ski that’s supposed to blur the line between an all-mountain and a freeride ski, the 106 has the shape to do it all, with the build that loves to be used in softer and fresher snow. Built with an aspen veneer wood core and two carbon stringers, they add their carbon spectral braid to the mix in order to fine tune and dial in the longitudinal as well as torsional stiffness to the ski. This allows the engineers to make this more directional wide ski stiffer in the forebody and underfoot while being more flexible and playful in the tail. As a result, this ski floats really well, but if you need or want a bit more stiffness in the ski, it’s definitely in the right places. Width-appropriate rocker and taper round out this light-weight and fun-loving setup. Advanced and expert skiers will glean the best results out of the ski, making it a great choice for a powder-only ski for eastern skiers or something of a daily driver for western skiers who spend most of their time searching for fresh and deep snow.

Allison Kozar was on the 159, noting that it was “maybe the right size—could have been taller.” Skis this wide can feel a bit short, and when you’re in the intended snow conditions, longer is oftentimes better. She gave the ski top scores of 5 out of 5 for flotation, torsional stiffness, and edge hold, showing that the carbon spectral braid as well as the overall profile and shape add up to a solid product. 4’s dotted the rest of her scorecard, with the exception of a lone 3 for versatility. We will see these skis drop off in usefulness the harder the snow gets, and that’s okay—certainly not designed for pure all-mountain performance. Allison notes as such: “Felt like a water ski slaying through the slush. Super fun in soft, probably not on firm.” For our testing conditions, these were probably some of the better options out there—wide but not too wide, and stiff but still playful. Also on the 159, Lexi Hildreth states it skis true to length and she also had a top mark of 5 out of 5 for flotation, with a 4 right on its heels for playfulness. All other scores were 3’s which is a pretty good spread for such a wide and floaty ski. A bit more specific of a ski in Lexi’s mind, she notes that it’s “Not a ski for me, I felt it a bit hard to maneuver and get on edge. Would be great in a powder storm or for West Coast skiers!”

The 167 presented itself to Catherine Ferguson, who noted that she liked the length and found it to ski true. She gave the ski 4’s out of 5 for flotation, torsional stiffness, edge hold, playfulness, and overall impression. Something like this is right up Catherine’s alley for sure, perhaps more on the directional side, but nonetheless a wider and more playful ski. Again, the spring conditions are to be noted here, as she experienced flotation in a slightly different manner than dry and deep powder. “Super-fun in the slush!” she notes. Skis should be able to handle spring mush equally as well as deep snow, and these three test days were definitely proof of that.

Fun to the nth degree with the K2 Mindbender 106 C Alliance. An incredibly playful ski, these 106’s also have that directional flair to them that keeps the energy high and keeps the skier in control of the shape and duration of the turn. If you’re looking for more than a one-ski quiver and are in search of a wider ski for the deeper days, take a square look at the K2 Mindbender 106 C Alliance. Great for advanced and expert skiers, this is one of the more agile and fun-loving soft snow skis we’ve seen around.