2023 K2 Passport

In the all-mountain/freeride division, the K2 Passport is your ticket to fun-loving riding no matter the conditions or terrain. This board is built for true versatility, and it excels in its well-roundedness just as much as its playful personality. Ideally suited for powder, groomers, and resort riding, the Passport is aimed at intermediate through advanced riders. Built with K2’s A1 core consisting of aspen, paulownia, and bamboo, the Passport has a sophisticated start. They use the bamboo in an angulated format underfoot to give the board a good amount of torsional rigidity and response while the paulownia in the tips and tails make the swing weight a lot lighter and the board quicker overall. Aspen fills out the core the rest of the way, giving the Passport a quiet, sturdy, and damp feel. K2 then integrates 10 carbon fiber stringers into the fiberglass layup, making the Passport stiff and responsive from tip to tail. Excellent snap and pop are the results of this technology, making this ride stand out due to its energy and ability to articulate to the turns.

John Gernt rode both the 157 and the 149, noting that the “157 felt like a 157 and was too long for me. the next size down is a 151 and would have been way better for me to ride.” Conversely, when he was on the 149, he notes that this “might have been on the short side for me, the next size up would be better.” Sounds like JG will land on the 151 in this board. For the 149, JG states: “I have ridden this model and size before, nice to get out on some different conditions. This is a nice all mountain style shape with some taper which helps the turns on-trail and when there is some new snow. Easy to ride, not too serious of a board, so you can relax some and have fun, and then push it when you want too. I could see this as my everyday board.” For the 157: “Solid board on the stiff side. Some taper to it, which helps in the turns and also in new snow. Nice narrow waist width, good for size 9-10 boot riders. I could see this being a fun board in the right size and could be a daily board or almost a quiver board for better new snow days.” It sounds like the sizing has a lot to do with the overall success and impression of the Passport.

Eric McDonough rode the 154 and notes that it is true to size. He scored it 4’s out of 5 for overall impression, versatility, quickness, and maneuverability with 3’s lining the rest of the card. Eric found the Passport to be a “Fun and playful board, maneuverable and quick edge to edge. The large rocker nose plowed through the slush and it held an edge well on the harder packed snow. Good board for intermediate to advanced riders.” Jarrod Ogden points out that there are some limitations in terms of width: “This is a new unisex board for 23. It likes all snow types and everything the mountain can throw at it. The only complaint would be for riders with larger feet. It’s narrow waisted and makes it difficult for rider set up to not have toe and heel drag.” The width doesn’t change a whole lot between sizes, and the only wide version is available at the 162 cm length. Jarrod nevertheless scored it 5’s out of 5 for overall impression, versatility, torsional stiffness, edge hold, quickness, maneuverability, and flotation, so it’s pretty clear that there’s still a lot to like.

Riders looking for something on the slightly narrower and more maneuverable side will love the energy and well-rounded nature of the K2 Passport. This board has all you’ll ever need for a great day on the hill, and the fact that it crosses over so many lines is a testament to the construction and technology of K2’s board-building ability.