Those in charge of developing touring skis have been on a bit of a bender lately. They’ve tried all sorts of new things, especially in the world of hybrid touring or free touring. This category is all about trying to create something new and interesting, and in K2’s case, both of those attempts were successful with the 2024 Dispatch 110. As a returning model with a different graphic for this year, the Dispatch 110 brings forward its innovative shaping and construction to a new group of skiers who either know exactly what they’re looking for or are just looking for something unique and different. Dispatch is ideally suited for one or two laps up big mountains as opposed to hut to hut or days-long tours, and they work great with hybrid boots and bindings for greater downhill performance.

Built with a paulownia wood core, the skis get a snappy and energetic start with a pittance of weight. They really feel a lot lighter than they look, and that’s great news for skiers who value uphill efficiency. On top of that core, we get something unusual in a touring ski—a relatively encompassing metal laminate. K2’s Hex-beam titanal laminate uses bulbous hexagonal shapes in the forebody and in the tail which are connected through a central spine. Underfoot, the hex shape is an outline, and that outline is filled with vibradet material to dampen vibrations. It’s a weird-looking laminate, and we’re not saying it doesn’t work, but it definitely falls on the innovative side of the spectrum rather than the mainstream. Additionally, we’re getting uni-directional flax in the ski to provide energy and pop without adding much weight. For the shape of the ski and the build, it’s surprising that they’re able to pull off a weight of 1750 grams in the 184 cm length.

Another non-traditional way in which this ski separates itself is through the shape. With a super linear 27.3-meter turn radius in the 184, we’re looking at a direct fall line ski that likes to either go straight or sideways. The first time we skied on them, we had to remember that you can’t just tip the ski over and have it hook up—you will tip over instead. It’s a unique way to build a ski for sure, and it makes sense given the freetouring techniques that skiers are supposed to be using these days. There’s quite a bit of rocker in these skis as well, with a ton of splay and a lot of float to go along with it. While most touring skis keep at least the tail rocker to somewhat of a minimum for added grip on the climb, the Dispatch 110 goes slightly against that. Additionally, the taper shape is pointy as opposed to spoony, so they’re able to have a tapered ski without eating into the sidecut.

If you’re in the market for a unique touring ski that is built by engineers who were clearly thinking outside the box, then make sure you check out the 2024 K2 Dispatch 110. By blending a different style of construction with more of a dramatic rocker profile and sidecut shape, the Dispatch 110 is unlike anything out there. As such, this stiffer and straighter ski is likely best served by advanced and expert skiers who know what they are looking for or are able to manipulate a very different ski. Either way, the Dispatch 110 will float you along the deep and distant mountains without batting an eye.