2022 K2 Mindbender 90Ti

The 2022 K2 MIndbender 90 Ti returns unchanged for this year with the exception of a graphics refresh, so this ski is still a versatile all-mountain ski that has virtually limitless potential and applications. As the narrowest of the Mindbender skis with the Titanal Y-Beam, the 90 is the best carver and most torsionally stiff of the bunch, as well as being the quickest one in the Ti lineup. Built with a blend of maple and aspen in the wood core, the skis get the best of the stiffness of the maple and the lightness of the aspen. The Y-Beam runs full-width underfoot and into the shovel, where it splits and remains over the edges, while leaving the central portion of the ski unencumbered by that metal. In the tail, the opposite happens, and the metal tapers to a central spine, leaving the edges metal-free. This makes the initiation phase and the underfoot grip incredibly powerful and precise, while the tail stays stable, but does benefit from a more playful personality. This works great in the groomers as well as the bumps and trees. In addition, the Powerwall sidewall boosts the underfoot grip and power by adding more material to that region, delivering amazing strength in the waist of the ski.

On the 177, David Carter noted that it is a good length for him, and that he’d likely get that size for him. On the scorecard, David gave the ski all 4’s out of 5 with the lone exception of a 3 for forgiveness, showing that he found the Mindbender 90 Ti to be on the stiffer side of the spectrum. There’s a lot to like about these skis, and the well-rounded nature really stands out with David’s scores. Regarding the Mindbender 90 Ti, David notes that it’s “Another good all mountain ski that is fairly playful, offers good edge hold, and is versatile enough to perform well in a variety of conditions.” That’s a great way to describe this ski in a nutshell for sure. There’s so many positive attributes to this ski, that it just makes great sense in terms of an all-around ski. For skiers who just don’t know what they’re going to be doing on a given day, or even within that day, a ski like this is just a smart way to go about it.

The 184 was a good size for Bob St.Pierre, “although I’d love for them to bring the 191 into the mix so I can give that one a shot.” With top marks of 5 out of 5 given for stability, quickness, maneuverability, versatility, and overall impression, this is a great start to the card. 4’s closely followed for torsional stiffness, edge grip, and playfulness. For a ski at 90 mm, these are the consistent scores that we’d expect, but the fact that they’re all 4’s and 5’s speaks volumes for this ski. Bob notes that this ski is great for “anywhere, anytime, any turn. What a wonderfully versatile ski that’s neither too stiff nor too soft. Very Goldilocks-esque in the way that they check a lot of boxes right down the middle. Great carvers with a ton of edge grip, and also quick enough to handle bumps and trees and other tight and technical spots. If you’re looking for one ski to do it all, especially here in Vermont, there aren’t too many better options out there. It’s more forgiving and approachable than a ski with two full sheets of metal, and is in no way, shape, or form considered soft as a result. Very powerful and stable, even with partial metal laminate. 10/10--would buy for a personal ski for sure.” Quite high praise from Bob here, as he can pretty much pick anything, but since he’s more of a one-ski quiver kind of person, it’s not surprising that something like the Mindbender 90 Ti would be at the top of the list.

Quicker and more stable than you may expect, these K2 Mindbender 90 Ti’s have a whole lot going for them. From steeps and trees to bumps and groomers, these skis have it all in their pocket. They love speed and longer GS turns, but are equally at home in a short-swing skidded turn. This type of compliant and poised versatility is rare in a ski at all, so when it comes along, we certainly like to highlight it as such.