The most frustrating thing for us in regard to the 2024 K2 Mindbender 116C is that we just don’t have enough snow here in Vermont to take full advantage of this thing. Mainly, we’re jealous of those that get to use this ski in its intended zones more often than not, because the few times we’ve skied it in soft snow, it’s been insanely awesome. It’s wide and surfy and relatively one-dimensional, so don’t expect this thing to carve clean turns on firm snow—the 116 is definitely built for powder. Mindbender skis are all about freeride fun, and this one is no different. The main thing that sets these skis apart, though, is that it falls on more of the directional side. Reckoner skis take that width and make it more multi-directional, but the Mindbender skis, even this 116, is still better suited for aggressive fall line skiing.

The mix of maple and aspen in the core makes a lot of sense. The aspen keeps things light and poppy while the maple quiets it down. One of the cool things about maple is that since it’s so strong and flexible, you can use it in thinner laminates to keep the weight down and the strength up. This allows for aggressive skiing with confidence. On top of the core, we get K2’s Carbon Spectral Braiding that creates more torsional stiffness in the front of the ski and underfoot, while the tail’s longitudinal stiffness creates a rudder-like feel that contributes to the maneuverability in deep snow. Adding to the energy, we also get uni-directional flax fibers that keep the ski poppy and fun-loving. The weight comes out to 2325 grams in the 187, and while this is on the heavy side, especially for a ski without metal, the shape and profile allow it to remain agile enough.

There’s a lot of rocker in this ski. In the tips, there’s a ton of splay, so it’s going to stay afloat in pretty much any depth of snow. At 116 mm underfoot, there’s not too much out there that’s going to make this ski sink, and that’s just how K2 wants it. We also get a relatively long turn radius, registering 22.5-meters in the 187. This gives the skier a lot of room to work with, and while it may not be quite as amenable to shorter turns, it’s easy to make it go longer, especially in crud and chop. The taper is appropriate for a ski of this width, as the whole setup feels smooth and confident from tip to tail.

Skis like the 2024 K2 Mindbender 116C do a great job at mixing the build and the shape to be well-paired for the intended conditions and terrain. It’s all about balance, so with a ski that has some flex, it’s nice to have some torsional stiffness to counteract. When a ski has a long turn radius, it’s nice to have some heft to help it stand up to higher speeds and more aggressive skiing. With that in mind, advanced and expert skiers who spend most of their time in deep snow will love the balanced attack that the Mindbender 116C provides.