2023 K2 Mindbender 106C W

With a graphics refresh and a slight name change for 2023, the K2 Mindbender 106C W is a fantastic directional choice for skiers looking for a wider ski that will handle a variety of soft snow surfaces and terrain. Built with an aspen veneer wood core, the skis have some good energy and poppiness built in. K2 then adds their carbon spectral braiding and their carbon boost stringers to the mix in order to fine-tune the stiffness and add some energy to the package. The boost stringers run end to end and keep the ski’s vibrations down and the energy up. Carbon spectral braid allows the engineers to stiffen the ski torsionally in the shovel and underfoot while allowing for more playfulness in the tail. Like most modern and progressive freeride skis, there’s a good amount of rocker to the ski as well, allowing for fantastic flotation and a good-old fashioned good time out there in the fluff. In the 167, these skis generate a 15-meter turn radius, so it is on the poppy side when it comes to turn shape and style. This ski would be a great choice for someone who skis in a lower snow zone and is looking for a pow day ski, or if you ski mainly in snowy areas, this could be a daily ski, albeit likely on the wide side.

Allison Kozar skied 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.

With a friendly shape for soft snow, and a sophisticated build including tailored carbon stringers, the K2 Mindbender 106C W is a fantastic choice for modern and progressive freeride skiers who are looking for something to handle a variety of snow conditions and terrain. Perhaps a bit wide for one ski, this will make an excellent complement to most skiers’ quivers.