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Dimensions: 125-88-112
Radius: [email protected]
Sizes: 149, 156, 163, 170
Size tested: 170
Design: All New
I am one of the women fortunate enough to get an early look at a K2 Mindbender Alliance ski. First, let's talk about the name "Alliance." The K2 Alliance program was started more than 20 years ago with a group of progressive women who worked with the K2 R&D team to build product that women needed, and the Alliance Team is a part of the formula to this day.
Now about the ski: the Mindbender 88Ti Alliance is a combination of a few things for me. It is comfortable -- I feel like I am at home, yet playing with a brand new toy that boasts the most current technology and design. At 88 mm underfoot, it has a surprising 14.7m turn radius that gives you confidence that you can turn when you want to. However, the shape and flex allow you to ski on a cat track without the tip trying to make you turn when you don't want to. There are a few skis that have inspired me to pop off rollers and catch a little air (and I do mean little); the 88Ti is most definitely one of them. Heck, when I followed Phil over a rollover and caught some surprise air, I knew this ski was solid enough to land and carry me into my next turn.
It is clear that the team at K2 designed this ski from scratch because it doesn't ski like anything I've experienced in a very long time. The 88Ti Alliance is not only a Mindbender, it's a mind blower and quite possibly a pearl killer.
- Who is it for? A woman who wants a responsive all-mountain ski that reacts when you react.
- Who is it not for? A woman who would rather clean house than ski.
- Insider tip: If you need a ski longer than 170, look at the unisex side of the wall.
Featured Individual Review Long-Term Review: K2 Mindbender 88Ti Alliance
Discussion in 'Gear Reviews and Comparisons' started by Tricia, Jan 31, 2019.
Tags:
- k2 mindbender 88ti alliance skis - women's 2020
- k2 mindbender alliance ski
- k2 r&d team to build product that women need
- k2 skis
- most current ski technology and design
- pearlkiller
- responsive all-mountain ski
- ski compare and contrast
- ski designed from scratch
- ski reviews
- skiessentials
- the k2 alliance program
- tricia pugliese
- y beam construction
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I'd like to try these. I would most definitely not prefer to clean house!
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luliski likes this.
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surfsnowgirl Instructor, Subaru driver and winter lover Skier
What she said!!!
Last edited: Jan 31, 2019 -
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I hope to demo this at my Home Mt Demo Day in Feb..they sound really fun!
luliski, surfsnowgirl and Philpug like this. -
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!
Tricia and surfsnowgirl like this. -
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@Tricia, do you know anything about when the Alliances are likely to be hitting demo shops?
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Also, if you're around I'll let you get on mine, they are 170'sLuliTheYounger likes this. -
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Nice review. How do they ski for length in comparison with some of their direct competitors in that width?
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They ski the full length.
The K2 Fulluvit skied a little short,
The Black Pearl comes in a 166, which I always felt was a little short for me, but a 169 Santa Ana skis well for me.
The 170 Mindbender is fantastic!Mendieta likes this. -
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For someone who's happy on a 166 Black Pearl (in fact the old Bushwacker, to be accurate) would you recommend they first demo the 163 or the 170?
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But why demo, just buy it! -
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Mmm. I've done that to her in the past (163 Volkl Kenja) without much success. The Bushwackers were a hit when demoed in Whistler (2013) so I bought her a pair of those. Demoing is a much safer option.
I wonder if K2 will set up a tent at our demo down here in July; I don't recall them turning up in the past.
I've read most of the other Mindbender reviews. Has the women's line also skipped the option of 'adding lightness'? Not that that's a bad thing. -
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How are they on ungroomed terrain? In particular powder and soft chop. Missus wants new wider skis for next season these have titanal in them, she probably does not need that so looking at website probably 85 or the 90c(does that mean carbon? and 85 are plane wood core?). Skiing in Japan so a slot of soft snow, performance on ice not important but if they are nice in refrozen next day chop that is a bonus.
I have to say I love the 108ti top sheet beautiful skis. -
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"Pearl killer" eh? Still haven't replaced my "wider" skis from 2011. But I am keeping a list (somewhere) and I'll put the K2 88Ti Alliance on it.
Tricia likes this. -