Message #11451

[jbotti]

I have now skied on K2 Hardsides an additonal 5-6 days with conditions ranging from 12" of fresh to an inch or two on top of crud and chop. Based on my additional demoing I now own a pair in a 181 length (which actually measures 186cm from tip to tail). I think this is an excellent combo of new tech with old. The tips on this ski really only have what they are now calling early rise. It's really very modest rocker. The rest of the ski is traditional with a hard tail. It's reasonably stout under foot. Great combo!!

I will also say that I skied my IM 78's yesterday (177cm length). Wow, these may be the best midfats ever made. I may have carved my best turns ever yesterday on these. They were just rocking on grooomers. Off piste they held up amazingly well, and with only a trace of fresh snow they were better and easier to ski than the K2 hardsides. When I found pockets of pow, they were still excellent and when i wanted to be agressive and straightline some stuff, they were incredibly solid. Great skis!! Terrible news that Head is dumbing down their peak series and taking metal out. Truly a shame!!