2027 Ski Test Behind the Scenes: 2027 K2 Mindbender 88
K2’s new Mindbender collection is all about blending power and fun. At the 88 level, this means that they are stepping into new territory and attracting new competition. While the outgoing 89 was a precise and crisp carver, it wasn’t terribly versatile. This new 88 has more of a freeride influenced shape, so while it may not have the same pull across the fall line or devastating finish to a carved turn, it’s a lot more at home in multiple turn shapes and styles, not to mention various terrain and snow conditions. Built with a blend of aspen and paulownia in the wood core, the ski also gets dual I-Beam titanal laminates. This is a difference from the Y-Beam of last year, and provides a bit more continuity in the flex and response of the ski. The other construction tech worthy of note are the Dark Matter inserts in the forebody and through the tail along the edges. This material basically functions as damping zones, keeping the ski relatively quiet and controlled. We’ve seen the Dark Matter on the Disruption series over the years, and now it’s filtered into Mindbender.
On snow, these skis have a surprising amount of grip, but don’t let that fool you, they can also be free to swerve and smear, which is something that not a lot of dual-metal 88’s can do. We’ve also found that in terms of shape, they have a lot more Mindbender 101 DNA to them than the 96. If you’re expecting the 88 to simply be a narrower 96, it doesn’t quite feel that way to us. The 96 lives more on its own while the 88, 101, and even 111 all have more similar cuts and attitudes. Again, though, this ski rips carved turns of any shape and style, and whether you’re spending most of your time on trail or off, the Mindbender 88 will be right there with you. These skis are quick in the bumps, make great short swing turns, and then can be ratcheted up a few notches to handle aggressive high speed carves on pure ice. The Dark Matter combines with the metal to make a very quiet and damp ski, but the
