2023 K2 Mindbender 89Ti

Altered, but not completely new, the 2023 K2 Mindbender 89Ti is a fantastic choice for skiers looking for a sharp-turning ski that has some versatility built in as well. We get some good tweaks to the ski, rather than a wholesale change, so if you were in love with the outgoing 90Ti, fear not, the new 89Ti is just as awesome, just somewhat grippier and turnier without losing off-trail character. Built with an aspen veneer wood core, the skis ditch the powerwall sidewall from builds past and incorporate a full sidewall to the construction. This makes for a more consistent flex and grip and a more upscale feel. Additionally, the titanal Y-Beam gets more sophisticated in that it widens in the back portion and is sculpted in the front end for better maneuverability without sacrificing grip or stability. Tip and tail rocker remain mostly the same, but a different shape leads to a 16.6-meter turn radius in the 182 cm length. This is on the short side for sure, so if you’re looking for a shorter-turning ~90 mm ski, this should be on the list for sure.

Dave Hatoff skied the 176 and noted it skis just right. He gave it top marks of 4 out of 5 for stability, torsional stiffness, and edge hold. The rest of his scores were 3’s and while that doesn’t sound necessarily high, at least it’s consistent. He calls it “A stiff and hefty ski, you need to be on this ski for it to come alive. Damp, precise and great edge grip, it is ideal for firm snow and groomers but certainly has the ability to be skied in a variety of front side conditions from bumps, steeps to trees. Not for the timid, needs a skilled driver to make the ski come alive at speed.” Connor Gorham was also on the 176, noting that this size “hit the spot.” He was all 4’s and 5’s for the ski, with the 5’s going for overall impression, torsional stiffness, edge hold, playfulness, quickness, maneuverability, and stability. Connor notes that he was “Mind-bent! Cut ruts like you read about while giving me freedom to push, smush, and kush all the goods I could find. I was told of the upgraded wood core, and while I consider myself a connoisseur of trees, I dig the lumber limbo! I’m not sure if the radar could catch me on Tyro, so we’ll just say Mach speeds were met with ease.”

Brad Schauerman found his 176 to be true, giving the ski all 4’s out of 5 except for flotation. He states that “This ski rocks. Perfect one ski quiver holds an edge very well on hardpack, super playful and easy to initiate turns. Fun in soft snow easy to get through the crud. Very fun ski!” On the 182, Rick Randall notes that “The Mindbender seems like a great ski for the person that wants to ski variable terrain. It's not as great as laying down a carve on edge in firmer conditions, but you can vary the turn shape and style and it'll go where you want. Playful ski for sure, so makes it a great all mountain option for that person that wants to slash some turns or play in the bumps.” Bob St.Pierre got to ski the 182 a few times this year, each one equal to or better than the last. “I love the ski’s ability to turn. It pulls you in and pushes you out. All you have to do is stand there and give it a flick of input for it to come to life. I love the upgrades, and while I was a fan previously, this new version just seems so much more polished and precise to me, and I’m all about it. For front side performance in a wider-bodied shape, there’s a whole lot to like about this.”

Most/all of our testers are pretty stoked on the new Mindbender 89Ti. With a shorter radius, more sophisticated construction, and a well-rounded personality to it, these skis take all-mountain performance carving to the next level.