They have definitely made a comeback! I think they're really trying to claw back some market share, because between the Mindbender and the Reckoner it seems like they're really putting ski design ahead of everything else!
I have been skiing for 50+ years and working in the ski industry 40 years. I have noticed there has been a definite popularity trend in ski brands and models throughout the decades. Like in the 70’s Rossignol was dominant and K2 was gaining popularity with the mogul skiing trend. Then in the 80’s we all wanted to ski K2 race skis like Steve and Phill Maher. You had to have those VO Slalom ski they used. In the 90 ‘s Salomon skis became popular. Lots of skiers loved the K2 Extreme that Glen Plake helped make famous in all those Greg Stump ski movies. By the end of the 90’s into the new century shaped skis like the K2 IV and Salomon X Scream were the iconic models dominating the market. My last K2 model was a 2015 Pinnacle 105 which was not one of my favorites Sold it after one season and have not owned a K2 since. I skied the Mindbender 89 Ti at a dealer demo last February and loved it. Plan on skiing it as my everyday driver in NH this season 🙏⛷👍
Right on! I have not skied K2 in a really long time (partially because they left the race scene for a while) and I was really impressed with these. Glad you love your 89's, cheers!
LOVE this ski. I've had my pair for 2 years. Grew up skiing the ice coast, 40 y.o. 225 lb former football player and marine that still hits the park with the kids now and then. Live mid-atlantic, but still make it up to ski NE about 10 days/ year and another 10-15 in the slushfest that is mid-Atlantic skiing. If you like to drive a ski, rail turns, but also bomb through chopped up bumps this is it. For me and my style of skiing, it's the perfect ski for all conditions on the east coast. I ride a 198.
Skied these a few days now and they are the best all mtn skis I had yet. Got em 99 underfoot. A lot of people say that they are super demanding and hard going, and yes that is partly true, but I’m coming from a freestyle jump all over the mtn kind of view, and I cannot be more happy with these. I ski park skis for all mtns, and these work so nice for me. I can carve any kind of snow, hit moguls really fast, drop cliffs (these are amazing for dropping cliffs) and tech terrain. Only thing they are a bit weird on is that loose granular kind of snow that is really icy and small. Amazing ski
Would you say this is good for someone who's looking to venture out into powder but still skis a lot of groomers (I live in Europe) and wants to make the most of side hits and playful jumps? I'm still learning to carve properly so I'm worried about getting a pair of say Armada ARVs or Bents as they might prevent me from getting better in that sense
@@NormanWasHere452 These things slay the groomers like nothing. Hard or slush snow. I’m the kind of skier who likes hitting jumps and butters and 360s, and these do it properly. For what your describing, they are also nice in pow with the new “freeridy” specs that added on this model. If your scared of getting worse carved on Arvs, I honestly think park skis carve AMAZINGLY in softer snow, the harder it is the more I slip because I detune my edges. And for the bent chentlers, I never skied em, but people tell me that they can literally do it all. Hit groomers, park, send cliffs, whatever. That’s what the 99ti mindbenders can do: hit groomers like a king, send cliffs and tight chutes, whatever u want
@@NormanWasHere452 Getting ARVs would be a more park oriented option, and the bent chentlers would be a more similar ski to the mindbender 99tis, probably a little less demanding/charging imo. The mindbenders are so playful yet so charging, that’s how I can describe jt
@@greasyrails2571 well I was planning on getting the 90Cs actually so they'd be a bit softer and lighter which I think works for me as I like shorter more manoeuvrable skis vs charging. How do they do with trees?
@@NormanWasHere452 these skis do it really well in the trees. Don’t let charging trip you up. These things are meant to exell in tight trees and sending tight chutes, the carbon ones might do it just a little better because they’re lighter. It’s a ski you can really do it all with. I live in the east coast so you can imagine the crazy weird terrain and snow conditions we have
Ok I skied the mindbender 99 really enjoyed it. It was mild powder mostly groomed day and was great. The next day I tried the line sick day 104 worst ski ever charter bounce awful experience. I then saw your Atomic 88 and really thinking about them. It would be my west ski western Canada
I liked your comments. I enjoy all of the SkiEssentials content, but you’re right about their need to focus on the positive. I demoed the original Mindbender 99Ti but didn’t buy it. My understanding is that the ‘23 and ‘24 models are more ‘refined’ after the update. It’s important to demo skis if you can because skis can feel different to each of us based on size, weight, skiing style, ability, preferences, location, etc…. But your honest commentary is helpful. I’ll have to check out more of your content. 👍
Right on! I agree 100% if you get the chance, demo skis. The reality is that there are SO MANY different skis to try, and some mountains don't do demo days anymore, so it gets very expensive testing skis for people. So I hope if nothing else I'm helping people narrow down their choices, or helping people that can't test the skis or just want affirmation before making a purchase. Really appreciate your kind words! Thanks for watching, should have a new video up in 7 hours. Cheers!
72 year old 60 to 70 day a year skier. In past always more backcountry than lift served. Last year ratio switched. Have been skiing 172 Rossignol Black Ops Holyshred. A really forgiving, fun and versatile ski IMO. Picked up a pair mindbender 99Ti this summer. Could not be a more different ski than the Holyshred. Would say yes to plowing through chunder but no relaxing for me with this ski. May hand off to my son.
My wife's a high level beginner and we were looking at the 2023 version of this ski in the 156. She's 5'6, about 145 lbs. First of all, is this ski a little bit too advanced for her? And if not, are we in the right ball park for size?
Hi Elliot would be interested in a review in the Mindbender 89 ti from you as I’m an eastern skier which I think would be more versatile in my region . The 99 sounds like fun in the powder but would love to hear your comparison of the 89 ti as you seem to like this length ( Atomic Maverick ) as a versatile length for eastern skiers. thanks appreciate all your videos !!
Blizzard popularized partial metal laminate with the very similar Rustler 9. They sold a bajillion of them so it makes sense that K2 wanted a piece of that success. The 99ti definitely improves on that theme with a more engineered laminate shape.
Missed the cheap 2023 99s. What about 89s? Ski in PNW in some heavy crud bowls concrete and in trees. Expert skier coming from Volkl Gotama’s 189. They make me cry sometimes. 6’1” 175. Ex racer.
Have only skied the 99's so I can't tell you honestly my opinion on them, but I think given how much I liked the 99's that they would probably be fine. But I have not skied the 89's so proceed carefully.
I have been following the K2 brand since I was a kid and they first put skis on the snow. I was a big fan back then but somewhere when they introduced the Cheeseburger” , I turned away. Until last year when I needed new boots and picked the Mindbender 120….loved them! Then my friend sold me his 2016 K2 Rictor 90’s and I skied these all last season and …loved them! For this coming year I just bought the Mindbender 89TI for my east coast ripper. As a retired PSIA instructor I have skied all the big brand top turners through the years but never lost my love of the K2 rebel-ish American attitude….glad to back on “team K2”, too bad they have shipped the manufacturing to China, it would be great to selfishly keep K2 an all American all star like they once were. American skiers are some of the worlds best, why can’t K2 build here? I’d pay more, we pay more for all the other Euro brands …. But Peak Skis aren’t manufactured here either, thanks Bodie, giving away the gold.
Woah, are Peak Skis made in china as well? Yeah, I only recently found out about K2 moving to china and it was really disappointing, I remember them as an American Brand, but I guess no more. Great pick on the mindbender 89! Like I said in my video, the 99ti was my biggest surprise at Mt. Hood, and I think the 89 width makes sense on the east. My Dad is also a PSIAA Instructor! Thanks for commenting!
@@RicketySkiReviewsI just googled it and found an article from 2001 about K2 moving its ski manufacturing to China and cooperate off to Seattle. So it’s been 22 years since K2’s were made in the USA. I have worked in the ski industry for 40 + years so I remember they moved production to China I just couldn’t remember exactly when that happened.
Maybe it’s because I haven’t tried tons of skis, but I always have trouble when you describe a ski as not wanting to release from a turn. It seems like that would be mostly determined by skier ability to move into the next turn and establish their new outside ski. I guess what I would ask is can you describe that feeling more clearly and what about the ski might be causing that? As for initiating the turn… maybe you are experiencing a long turn radius, and the Mindbender 99 ti feels less turny than you want? I personally wish more all mountain skis would be designed with a shorter turn radius. I ski as a fairly small mountain and we don’t have huge open runs, so I like to make every turn count. I’m so sick of seeing all these skis with nearly a 20m turn radius!
You should check out the Black Crows Mirus Cor. It’s what I spent the majority of my time on last year. 13M turn radius, and carves rather well for having metal only under foot. Plus it’s super fun in the trees and popping off side hits. Not great in deep snow, but the wide shovel helps a bit. Check it out.
Totally, It's basically a race ski, but it doesn't have to follow FIS or Race Standards, It has that aggressive build, but they can make it more responsive and with more fun turn radiuses.
Good ski! I bought as a true beginner binge watched ski tutorials and practiced. Parallel turns day 1, second day hit the small jump line at Cannon then skied after 2 big snowstorms so a lot of soft snow bumps and powder. Honestly it was a blast I give a lot of credit to the ski and binding (attack 14). Btw I’m 6 feet 230 lbs and went with 166cm which hit right at the bottom of my nose. during the snowstorms I was wishing I had more length. But overall it was awesome! Planning on getting the 96c in 178 next
Hey actually tried the 2023 version last year ! And if had to choose between that and Enforcer 94 ? well I'd go for the heavy Enforcer hahaha. But this 2024 more tail rocker would definitely make it a better floater. Still, I agree with you, this aint a powder ski. Also, the one I tried was mounted much much in the back than the line we see on this video. It would probably feel much better.
I honestly would like to try the enforcer's in a thinner width, because I tried the 100's and I kind of wonder how much that affected them. Great comment!
K2 skis have been made in China for years. But why should that matter? If the QC is there then does it matter? All smart phones are made in China, maybe we should boycott all iPhones.
![ชวนน้องลงทุ่ง - เงาะน้อยเพชรบ้านแพง X น้องมายด์ [ Music Video ] Official Saman Music](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Bq7Hw9culjE/mqdefault.jpg)
You can see my review on snow of the Mindbender 99ti Here: th-cam.com/video/85dRP7FtgWA/w-d-xo.htmlsi=cKzEg2UUiwrhWlYw
Thanks for watching everyone!
This is new....a nighttime shoot WITH facial wound. i've always wanted to demo the K2....it was my ski brand of choice in the 70s and 80s 🙂
They have definitely made a comeback! I think they're really trying to claw back some market share, because between the Mindbender and the Reckoner it seems like they're really putting ski design ahead of everything else!
I have been skiing for 50+ years and working in the ski industry 40 years. I have noticed there has been a definite popularity trend in ski brands and models throughout the decades. Like in the 70’s Rossignol was dominant and K2 was gaining popularity with the mogul skiing trend. Then in the 80’s we all wanted to ski K2 race skis like Steve and Phill Maher. You had to have those VO Slalom ski they used. In the 90 ‘s Salomon skis became popular. Lots of skiers loved the K2 Extreme that Glen Plake helped make famous in all those Greg Stump ski movies. By the end of the 90’s into the new century shaped skis like the K2 IV and Salomon X Scream were the iconic models dominating the market. My last K2 model was a 2015 Pinnacle 105 which was not one of my favorites Sold it after one season and have not owned a K2 since. I skied the Mindbender 89 Ti at a dealer demo last February and loved it. Plan on skiing it as my everyday driver in NH this season 🙏⛷👍
Right on! I have not skied K2 in a really long time (partially because they left the race scene for a while) and I was really impressed with these. Glad you love your 89's, cheers!
LOVE this ski. I've had my pair for 2 years. Grew up skiing the ice coast, 40 y.o. 225 lb former football player and marine that still hits the park with the kids now and then. Live mid-atlantic, but still make it up to ski NE about 10 days/ year and another 10-15 in the slushfest that is mid-Atlantic skiing. If you like to drive a ski, rail turns, but also bomb through chopped up bumps this is it. For me and my style of skiing, it's the perfect ski for all conditions on the east coast. I ride a 198.
Oh man that's great! Thanks for sharing and glad you love your skis. 198 that's no Joke!
Correction- *191
Skied these a few days now and they are the best all mtn skis I had yet. Got em 99 underfoot. A lot of people say that they are super demanding and hard going, and yes that is partly true, but I’m coming from a freestyle jump all over the mtn kind of view, and I cannot be more happy with these. I ski park skis for all mtns, and these work so nice for me. I can carve any kind of snow, hit moguls really fast, drop cliffs (these are amazing for dropping cliffs) and tech terrain. Only thing they are a bit weird on is that loose granular kind of snow that is really icy and small. Amazing ski
Would you say this is good for someone who's looking to venture out into powder but still skis a lot of groomers (I live in Europe) and wants to make the most of side hits and playful jumps? I'm still learning to carve properly so I'm worried about getting a pair of say Armada ARVs or Bents as they might prevent me from getting better in that sense
@@NormanWasHere452 These things slay the groomers like nothing. Hard or slush snow. I’m the kind of skier who likes hitting jumps and butters and 360s, and these do it properly. For what your describing, they are also nice in pow with the new “freeridy” specs that added on this model. If your scared of getting worse carved on Arvs, I honestly think park skis carve AMAZINGLY in softer snow, the harder it is the more I slip because I detune my edges. And for the bent chentlers, I never skied em, but people tell me that they can literally do it all. Hit groomers, park, send cliffs, whatever. That’s what the 99ti mindbenders can do: hit groomers like a king, send cliffs and tight chutes, whatever u want
@@NormanWasHere452 Getting ARVs would be a more park oriented option, and the bent chentlers would be a more similar ski to the mindbender 99tis, probably a little less demanding/charging imo. The mindbenders are so playful yet so charging, that’s how I can describe jt
@@greasyrails2571 well I was planning on getting the 90Cs actually so they'd be a bit softer and lighter which I think works for me as I like shorter more manoeuvrable skis vs charging. How do they do with trees?
@@NormanWasHere452 these skis do it really well in the trees. Don’t let charging trip you up. These things are meant to exell in tight trees and sending tight chutes, the carbon ones might do it just a little better because they’re lighter. It’s a ski you can really do it all with. I live in the east coast so you can imagine the crazy weird terrain and snow conditions we have
Ok I skied the mindbender 99 really enjoyed it. It was mild powder mostly groomed day and was great. The next day I tried the line sick day 104 worst ski ever charter bounce awful experience. I then saw your Atomic 88 and really thinking about them. It would be my west ski western Canada
I liked your comments. I enjoy all of the SkiEssentials content, but you’re right about their need to focus on the positive. I demoed the original Mindbender 99Ti but didn’t buy it. My understanding is that the ‘23 and ‘24 models are more ‘refined’ after the update. It’s important to demo skis if you can because skis can feel different to each of us based on size, weight, skiing style, ability, preferences, location, etc…. But your honest commentary is helpful. I’ll have to check out more of your content. 👍
Right on! I agree 100% if you get the chance, demo skis. The reality is that there are SO MANY different skis to try, and some mountains don't do demo days anymore, so it gets very expensive testing skis for people. So I hope if nothing else I'm helping people narrow down their choices, or helping people that can't test the skis or just want affirmation before making a purchase.
Really appreciate your kind words! Thanks for watching, should have a new video up in 7 hours.
Cheers!
👍
72 year old 60 to 70 day a year skier. In past always more backcountry than lift served. Last year ratio switched. Have been skiing 172 Rossignol Black Ops Holyshred. A really forgiving, fun and versatile ski IMO. Picked up a pair mindbender 99Ti this summer. Could not be a more different ski than the Holyshred. Would say yes to plowing through chunder but no relaxing for me with this ski. May hand off to my son.
Haha, yeah I felt the same way!
My wife's a high level beginner and we were looking at the 2023 version of this ski in the 156. She's 5'6, about 145 lbs. First of all, is this ski a little bit too advanced for her? And if not, are we in the right ball park for size?
Hi Elliot would be interested in a review in the Mindbender 89 ti from you as I’m an eastern skier which I think would be more versatile in my region . The 99 sounds like fun in the powder but would love to hear your comparison of the 89 ti as you seem to like this length ( Atomic Maverick ) as a versatile length for eastern skiers. thanks appreciate all your videos !!
would love to if I get the chance
Blizzard popularized partial metal laminate with the very similar Rustler 9. They sold a bajillion of them so it makes sense that K2 wanted a piece of that success. The 99ti definitely improves on that theme with a more engineered laminate shape.
Makes sense! I'm glad to see Ti skis that aren't just mega heavy like they were 10 years ago.
Missed the cheap 2023 99s. What about 89s? Ski in PNW in some heavy crud bowls concrete and in trees. Expert skier coming from Volkl Gotama’s 189. They make me cry sometimes. 6’1” 175. Ex racer.
Have only skied the 99's so I can't tell you honestly my opinion on them, but I think given how much I liked the 99's that they would probably be fine. But I have not skied the 89's so proceed carefully.
I have been following the K2 brand since I was a kid and they first put skis on the snow. I was a big fan back then but somewhere when they introduced the Cheeseburger” , I turned away. Until last year when I needed new boots and picked the Mindbender 120….loved them! Then my friend sold me his 2016 K2 Rictor 90’s and I skied these all last season and …loved them! For this coming year I just bought the Mindbender 89TI for my east coast ripper.
As a retired PSIA instructor I have skied all the big brand top turners through the years but never lost my love of the K2 rebel-ish American attitude….glad to back on “team K2”, too bad they have shipped the manufacturing to China, it would be great to selfishly keep K2 an all American all star like they once were. American skiers are some of the worlds best, why can’t K2 build here? I’d pay more, we pay more for all the other Euro brands …. But Peak Skis aren’t manufactured here either, thanks Bodie, giving away the gold.
Woah, are Peak Skis made in china as well? Yeah, I only recently found out about K2 moving to china and it was really disappointing, I remember them as an American Brand, but I guess no more.
Great pick on the mindbender 89! Like I said in my video, the 99ti was my biggest surprise at Mt. Hood, and I think the 89 width makes sense on the east.
My Dad is also a PSIAA Instructor! Thanks for commenting!
@@RicketySkiReviews I believe Peak Ski are manufactured in Slovenia??
@@RicketySkiReviewsI just googled it and found an article from 2001 about K2 moving its ski manufacturing to China and cooperate off to Seattle. So it’s been 22 years since K2’s were made in the USA. I have worked in the ski industry for 40 + years so I remember they moved production to China I just couldn’t remember exactly when that happened.
Maybe it’s because I haven’t tried tons of skis, but I always have trouble when you describe a ski as not wanting to release from a turn. It seems like that would be mostly determined by skier ability to move into the next turn and establish their new outside ski. I guess what I would ask is can you describe that feeling more clearly and what about the ski might be causing that? As for initiating the turn… maybe you are experiencing a long turn radius, and the Mindbender 99 ti feels less turny than you want? I personally wish more all mountain skis would be designed with a shorter turn radius. I ski as a fairly small mountain and we don’t have huge open runs, so I like to make every turn count. I’m so sick of seeing all these skis with nearly a 20m turn radius!
You should check out the Black Crows Mirus Cor. It’s what I spent the majority of my time on last year. 13M turn radius, and carves rather well for having metal only under foot. Plus it’s super fun in the trees and popping off side hits. Not great in deep snow, but the wide shovel helps a bit. Check it out.
I'm talking about this in today's video!
@fighter_rex6857 I am going to double down on the Black Crow outreach, I have gotten so many comments about them.
When you say cheater ski What are you referring to? You should make a video about that subject
Totally, It's basically a race ski, but it doesn't have to follow FIS or Race Standards, It has that aggressive build, but they can make it more responsive and with more fun turn radiuses.
anyone got any experience with the Mindbender 90C 2020 or 90C 2022?
not yet, but will try this winter.
Good ski! I bought as a true beginner binge watched ski tutorials and practiced. Parallel turns day 1, second day hit the small jump line at Cannon then skied after 2 big snowstorms so a lot of soft snow bumps and powder. Honestly it was a blast I give a lot of credit to the ski and binding (attack 14). Btw I’m 6 feet 230 lbs and went with 166cm which hit right at the bottom of my nose. during the snowstorms I was wishing I had more length. But overall it was awesome! Planning on getting the 96c in 178 next
Hey actually tried the 2023 version last year ! And if had to choose between that and Enforcer 94 ? well I'd go for the heavy Enforcer hahaha. But this 2024 more tail rocker would definitely make it a better floater. Still, I agree with you, this aint a powder ski. Also, the one I tried was mounted much much in the back than the line we see on this video. It would probably feel much better.
I honestly would like to try the enforcer's in a thinner width, because I tried the 100's and I kind of wonder how much that affected them.
Great comment!
1975 k2 réd white and blue!
The classic!
He said, “one of the smoothest . . .”, not THE smoothest.
Lol, fair enough! haha, good catch.
Made in China. Enough to disregard any potential purchase.
Woah! I had no Idea, Has K2 ever addressed this? I will have to look into this and adjust my recommendation accordingly, thanks for letting me know!
K2 skis have been made in China for years. But why should that matter? If the QC is there then does it matter? All smart phones are made in China, maybe we should boycott all iPhones.
Where are the phones we are using to comment on this made?
Did you type that critique on your China-made mobile device?
Sadly made in China
Woah! I had no Idea, Has K2 ever addressed this? I will have to look into this and adjust my recommendation accordingly, thanks for letting me know!
Just like the device most are using to comment on this post with.
“Sent from a iPhone 11” 🤣🤣