2027 K2 Reckoner KF

tester:

Jeff Neagle

Ability: Expert
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 165
Days / Year: 120-140
Age: 40
Years Skiing: 38

Flowing and Kind of Fast with Freestyle/Freeski Influence

Ski:

2027 K2 Reckoner KF Skis

Size Tested:

184 CM

Location, Terrain, Snow Conditions Notes

Stowe, a mix of terrain with some decent snow in off-piste situations.

Did this length feel short, long, or just right? Would you recommend sizing up or down, or does it ski "true to size?" Would you choose this length for yourself?

Skis true to size for a big rockered powder twin tip

Scores

Floatation:9/10

Stability:7/10

Quickness:8/10

Playfulness:8/10

Forgiveness:6/10

Edge Grip:7/10

Versatility:7/10

Overall:8/10

What's your first impression of this ski? How did it feel?

The Reckoner KF is a pretty specialized tool, but for what it's designed to do, it does quite well. It has a really interesting blend of feeling playful, slashy, and smeary, but also pretty gosh darn strong, especially this new version. It's still not a crazy stiff ski, but it has really good vibration damping which kind of feels like it acts like suspension with the flex pattern of the ski. If you like being super creative, but like to ski really, really fast while you're super creative, it's a fantastic ski. Just remember that it's a twin tip with a relatively forward mount point compared to most skis this wide. Directional skiers probably won't like it.

For what type of terrain would you recommend this ski? Why does it perform well in that terrain?

It's really best for open terrain with soft snow. There doesn't feel like much of an east coast application for this ski, even though every time I've skied it on the east, I've enjoyed it. Just overkill for the terrain and snow we have. Open terrain with natural hits and steep lines is the sweet spot here. And backcountry jumps.

What's the appropriate ability level and/or style for this ski? Why is it appropriate for that type of skier?

It's definitely an expert only ski. It's big and it's not light and it's fairly demanding, especially if you're not used to a ski like this.

Anything else you want to tell us about your experience on these skis?

Love the new graphics!

tester:

Philip McGrory

Ability: Expert
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 190
Days / Year: 50
Age: 37
Years Skiing: 16

Slashy and playful

Ski:

2027 K2 Reckoner KF Skis

Size Tested:

184 CM

Location, Terrain, Snow Conditions Notes

Gondolier. Spring corn

Did this length feel short, long, or just right? Would you recommend sizing up or down, or does it ski "true to size?" Would you choose this length for yourself?

Just right

Scores

Floatation:10/10

Stability:8/10

Quickness:8/10

Playfulness:9/10

Forgiveness:6/10

Edge Grip:7/10

Versatility:7/10

Overall:10/10

What's your first impression of this ski? How did it feel?

This ski looks fun! It was! Very playful and snappy.

For what type of terrain would you recommend this ski? Why does it perform well in that terrain?

Deep snow or spring corn. Ski is 114 underfoot so it floats great in deep snow but needs to be steered rather than carved. When the ski does get on edge it can hold but take a little more effort to get it there.

What's the appropriate ability level and/or style for this ski? Why is it appropriate for that type of skier?

Advanced to expert. This ski has a layer of carbon in it giving the ski great rebound and playfulness but takes more effort to get it on edge because of its width.

If you could change anything about these skis, what would you change and why?

Maybe the tail could be slightly narrower so it doesn't get stuck in the gondola.

tester:

Matt McGinnis

Ability: Expert
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 180
Days / Year: 65
Age: 35
Years Skiing: 23. Also insane.

Chargey, sendy, and seeking transitions. But now that I'm 35...also calculated. I'm not saying yes to every hit anymore, but if the snow is soft and the landing is good, I'll send it.

Ski:

2027 K2 Reckoner KF Skis

Size Tested:

184 CM

Location, Terrain, Snow Conditions Notes

Cliff trail to nose dive

Did this length feel short, long, or just right? Would you recommend sizing up or down, or does it ski "true to size?" Would you choose this length for yourself?

Just right

Scores

Floatation:9/10

Stability:9/10

Quickness:9/10

Playfulness:10/10

Forgiveness:8/10

Edge Grip:9/10

Versatility:9/10

Overall:10/10

What's your first impression of this ski? How did it feel?

A quick preface here: I’m a long time Reckoner 112 skier, owning them in both the 184 and 177 lengths - allowing me to choose between the two based on whether I’m skiing them in tight trees or bowls. For me, I’ve always loved how playful and surfy the skis are. In the 184, they’re stable, but not exactly a charger. At top speeds, I get unsure of the tips at times. I say all of that in order to make this point: the Reckoner KF takes everything I love about the Reckoner 112, and makes it even better. When skiing these skis, it was hard not to imagine myself skiing them as Karl would. In other words, fast and energetically, while imagining myself on steep backcountry pitches. With those images in mind, I fell in love with this ski. It’s lively, poppy, fast, stable, but perhaps most impressively, highly maneuverable and surfy. While I didn’t have the opportunity to take these onto any ridiculously steep terrain, I did get them going pretty quickly through the loose moguls on nosedive. There, they were able to easily show off their ability to pop off nuggets, get up to speed quickly - but most importantly - drop speed just as quickly with a quick slash to the side. In another review, I talked about how the Line Optic 104 was most at home at high speeds. The Reckoner KF also loved ripping down the mountain, but the difference was that they were incredibly willing to shut it down in a moments notice. For me, that’s what I loved most about this ski. It maintains some of the playfulness of the earlier Reckoner 112’s but it brings in an added capability to handle fast speeds and aggressive speed reductions. All in all, it’s a sick ski, and one I could definitely see myself on.

For what type of terrain would you recommend this ski? Why does it perform well in that terrain?

You can actually ski this on all types of variable terrain and powder - it doesn’t have to be overly pitchy. That said, I think these things would love a place like Tuckerman’s Ravine, regardless of snow quality. If there’s powder, great. If you’re on chalk though? Almost even better.

What's the appropriate ability level and/or style for this ski? Why is it appropriate for that type of skier?

I would say upper intermediates and advanced skiers, mostly because it takes some skill and comfort with speed to get the most out of them. I haven’t tried the Reckoner 110 yet, but my guess is that’s a bit more appropriate for more intermediate type skiers looking for a powder ski from K2.

If you could change anything about these skis, what would you change and why?

Nothing? I’m going to go with nothing. If it’s good enough for Karl Fostvedt, its good enough for me.

tester:

Noah Novotny

Ability: Expert
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 165
Days / Year: 60
Age: 38
Years Skiing: 33

Freerider

Ski:

2027 K2 Reckoner KF Skis

Size Tested:

184 CM

Sizing Impression

The ski felt true to length in powder and crud. It might feel short in firmer snow with substantial tip and tail rocker. I would definitely ski this length

Scores

Floatation:8/10

Stability:7/10

Quickness:9/10

Playfulness:9/10

Forgiveness:8/10

Edge Grip:7/10

Versatility:6/10

Overall:8/10

Overall Impression

Very playful and more stable than I would expect. It was stiff enough under foot to ski crud at speed and other freeride terrain.

Appropriate Terrain

Powder snow and other freeride terrain. A great ski for catching air and doing tricks. The more progressive mount point and 114 width mean it wants to do tricks into powder.

Appropriate Skier

Intermediate to expert. This ski would please a wide range of abilities. An expert would have fun on this ski and an intermediate would be able to turn this ski no problem and still have fun on it in deep snow.

Other Thoughts

I wouldn’t change anything personally.

tester:

Steve McKenzie

Ability: Expert
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 225
Days / Year: 30+/-
Age: 32
Years Skiing: 30

I’ve been called a lot of things but slow and steady is not one of them

Ski:

2027 K2 Reckoner KF Skis

Size Tested:

184 CM

Sizing Impression

Short but in a good way

Scores

Floatation:9/10

Stability:8/10

Quickness:9/10

Playfulness:10/10

Forgiveness:7/10

Edge Grip:9/10

Versatility:8/10

Overall:10/10

Overall Impression

Pick of the week so far! As a skier with a long history with K2 skis, the KF really outshines its predecessors. The tech gave me the run down on “Crazy Karl” and I felt these skis embodied that style and charge perfectly. The bounce and playfulness to them is exactly what I look for in a ski- something that wants to jump and jump HIGH. It did take me an extra run to figure out the true potential of these skis, this is a ski that truly requires a rider who knows what, where, when, and how they want to ski. 10/10 would recommend to a friend.

Appropriate Terrain

Anywhere your mom would hate to see you skiing! The gnarlier the better. Something in the bounce and playfulness of these skis really asks you to go a little faster, a bit steeper, and when the time comes: a whole lot higher.

Appropriate Skier

Intermediate and upwards. I feel like they handle decently enough on piste but it’s really when you start taking them elsewhere these skis show their true strength.

Other Thoughts

“Bull Mountain, don’t go changing!”

tester:

Dana Allen

Ability: Advanced
Height: 5' 10
Weight: 165
Days / Year: 50? 75?
Age: 41
Years Skiing: 15 (+7 snowboarding)

On the cusp of being pretty friggin' good sometimes - other times, mostly an aggressive gorilla on planks. Pretty good at not hitting trees, though!

Ski:

2027 K2 Reckoner KF Skis

Size Tested:

184 CM

Sizing Impression

Goldilocks, baby. Just right length-wise. I definitely wouldn't size up and, given the rocker, would not size down.

Scores

Floatation:9/10

Stability:9/10

Quickness:10/10

Playfulness:10/10

Forgiveness:9/10

Edge Grip:7/10

Versatility:9/10

Overall:10/10

Overall Impression

Amazing Ski. Super nimble and intuitive. Skied true to length. Really quick and carved through the trees. So easy to get on edge. Not the most stable at speed but stable enough. Could definitely see this as a daily driver for someone out West. Overall, I didn’t want to give the ski back. It was super fun.

Appropriate Terrain

Pretty much anywhere, provided the snow is soft. Probably not stiff enough to ski on hardpack/groomers on the regular, but it seemed adequate to that task. Basically, on soft snow in tighter, steep terrain the ski will hold an edge where needed but still let you break it loose given the aggressive tail taper and rocker. Don't wanna finish the turn? Don't worry about it. Just sink your heels and they pivot - real quick. Tight trees were a blast.

Appropriate Skier

This could be the gateway drug of pow skis for pretty much anyone (though beginners would probably want to size down). It's so easy to ski that anyone could do it. Advanced skiers might not love its performance at higher speeds, but they'll get over it.

Other Thoughts

I wouldn't change a thing, really. It's well designed and seems to tick a lot of boxes, performance-wise.

2027 SkiEssentials Ski TestKarl Fostvedt's signature powder twin, returning with a stiffer flex and new graphics, built for advanced freestyle skiers who want a trampoline-like ski for big airs and deep landings.

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