K2 SkisI WANNA ROCK - Think rockered skis is a fad? K2 doesn’t, and every ski in their 2012 line has some form of rocker built into their construction. K2 is not just embracing the rocker concept, it is living it. They continue to better their product, innovating ava-lanche shovels and ski poles, as well as making some modifications to existing models.

K2 Skis

The Pon2oon has a more squared off, flatter tail in 2012, with what is proba-bly the best graphic this ski has seen in our opinion. The Darkside returns with no metal, powder rocker, and a flat tail. 108 in the waist, the Sidestash has a flat tail and the rocker has been moved back, giving a little more early rise. K2 is also releasing a carbon-carbon two piece pole with a bubble inclinometer built in taht you can lay on the hill and determine what degree the pitch is. Also on the backcountry side of things, the new Rescue Plus Shovel has been de-signed by Mike Hattrup to be the most versatile shovel in the business. With eyelets built in and hardware included, remove the rivets on your k2 skis and connect the shovel directly (along with rope and a pair of poles) to them and you have an extremely stable rescue sled.

2012 Hellbent has been nicknamed the Jeffery, and is reportedly 10% angrier than years prior. 132 underfoot, this ski is virtually unchanged, and has pre-cut climb-ing skins available. Seth gets a graphic facelift for next year, while the con-struction is the same. Pep’s ski, the Kung Fujas is available with- or with-out-schitzo, is 102 in the waist, and has all-terrain rocker. On the Recoil we find urethane sidewalls, helping reduce edge dam-age from rails or rocks you may land on. The Sight blends all-mountain and park with its 85mm waist. The Domain is again sym-metrical, weighing in at 115-90-115. On the left is one of K2’s new poles, with a tip that fits the schizo adjustment screw.