I finally gave in and tried these storied skis in BC last winter. On about the third turn I was sold on the whole reverse camber idea. The Pontoon is a powder machine, and the BC.com description above is not hype. I did not ski the Pontoon in anything but untracked powder, so pay attention to the other reviews that talk about crud, groomers etc. But, if you have the luxury of owning a pair of pure powder skis, this, or the Volkl Kuro, is clearly a great choice.

The pontoons have been my powder day since last Feb. I've got about 25 Utah powder days on them. Bottom line is that if you are considering getting a pair do it. I've tried a lot of other rocker skis but if you want a pure powder weapon this is the one. They float like no other. They will instantly make you a better powder skier. They blast over the crud. Also they aren't that bad on the groomers. With a little effort you can arc carved turns back to the lift.

I rode a pair of these in a 179 just last week up at Bachelor in Oregon. The conditions were just right to let them rip so with 16 inches of new on top of the 100+ inches of blower light snow they received in a week I gave them a try. These things rip powder like it's nothing. I rode the Cone, 500 ft of hike to ski glory, 5 times and they laid down fresh tracks each run. They do bog down a little in crud and become a less manageable in bumps down to the lift. I also found that you can carve these things they just require a wider stance and more balance but you can rip them under the chair and make everybody feel bad about riding skinny skis. All in all if I had $600 to drop on them and another $450 or so for a pair of Marker Dukes they would be mine. Maybe next year.

Well,

Everything I read on this site is true about the K2 Pontoon. I bought a set with Marker Baron bindings. I had chance to try them in deep firm Eastern Canada powder. Wow! I felt like I was in control. No pitch, drift or depression could dump me. I only bailed when I plowed in to a large buried rock but, no damage so they are tough. An unbelievable ski and so much fun to boot. It even works on groomed runs. These babies make powder skiing less about technique and more about choosing a line. You can turn them at any speed even when you are almost stopped. You can push them down for added fun and they will pop back up like a cork. It took me a couple of runs down the groomers to get use to them. It feels a little weird at first but, you quickly sense how to ski them. You can turn these many ways. I even Giant Slalomed the hill with them. I then ventured into the powder. I would say if you have skied fats in powder before they aren't that different in stance, just performance. No special movements. The only comment I have is try not to sit back during panic mode there is no need. You can ski these in a normal centered stance most of the time.

Good for meeting people too as many inquire or make comments.

I can't wait to take them back country in Western Canada at Revelstoke. Thank you K2!

Marker Baron's are great too! Feel like a normal alpine robust binding. Keeps you in the ski and releases when it should. Haven't tried touring with them yet. Might be a bit heavy with the K2 Pontoon's if you are going all day up and down touring. My intention to use them for side country touring for 20 min. short hops away from the lift.

I should add the Pontoons were 179cm more like a 184cm in total length but skis short due to the Rocker.

If you tend to spend a good deal of time on groomers (either getting to/from backcountry runs, or because some of your buddies ski groomers, whatever), but you love to ski deep powder 12"+, you may want to consider a superfat but conventionally-shaped ski like the Line Prophet 130. I am a tele skier and had a blast on the Prophets skiing in the Canadian Rockies (pics of me armpit deep are on youtube). They are quick in trees and provide incredible float, enabling you to turn when and wherever you want.

Most notably, most of the guides at the cat ski lodge where we stayed ski on Pontoons. But the only "groomers" they ski are short runs down cat tracks.

I also skied the Prophets at Mt Baker, WA on a combo of powder, groomed and chop. They are a great ski for Mt Baker (world record snowfall), where on some days you need a beacon and buddy in-bounds on some chairs. The Prophets absolutely railed the groomers (18m turning radius), but, as others have said about the Pontoons, they can be hell in chop. My shins took a beating in the heavy Pacific NW snow.

So, bottom line, if you spend a lot of time skiing deep powder, the Pontoons are great. If you mix your time between groomers and powder, the Prophets might be a more practical ski for you. If you tele ski, set the toe piece so you are about even with chord center. Most tele'ers nowadays set their bindings ~3 cm ahead (some even more), but I found it to be too front-heavy, even on the 130's.

BTW, the main skis in my quiver are the Line Prophet 100 and K2 Work Stinx, the Prophet being better in crud and deeper snow, and the Stinx better in bumps and groomers.

This is an amazing powder ski. I used the 189 length several times and it was way more maneuverable than I expected. You can really pivot a turn quickly with the rocker instead of carving. They blow over crud and choppy stuff really well. They are heavy, but I never feel like that takes away from their performance. Surprisingly, they are manageable on the groomer's, fun even. The huge rockered tip floats amazing in powder and allows you to stay more forward through your turns. They are not an everyday ski, when then it gets deep, strap these babies on and let 'er rip!

Sick skis. You can ski them in anything except for ice and hard pack. Great in the steeps, great for hauling, and great in deep pow.

I own a pair of Pontoons in size 189...they rip in POW though they are a bit scary in the firm stuff!! I have lived in Vail, Colorado for the last 5 years and skied these skis in all but the tightest trees with ample pow and they rule!! They require a bit different of technique to ski on then a normal ski, more of a pivoting motion versus edge to edge. I now live in Utah and they shred pow lines like no tomorrow!! This ski will make a great skier better in Pow, and an Average skier good in Pow. No leg burn when skiing the deep stuff!! Get a longer size...skis a bit shorter because of the reverse camber!!

The sickest fat ski on the planet is the Kingswood Megafat out of New Zealand, check them out at www.kingswoodskis.com! Dimensions are 185cm 176/146/159!!! Super light bamboo core and regular camber would be perfect for a touring setup, can be made 30% stiffer for aggressive or heavier skiers. Mt. Baker, WA is home (with a world record 1,100+ in a single season), so bottomless pow is a staple. I ordered these ski's and they have taken powder skiing to a whole new level. I have run on Dynastar Pro XXL 194CM for two years, and the Kingswood floats right to the top for a poppy, flowy ride in comparison to the need for speed GS turns of the Dynastar. Groomers are a piece of cake. May be my new everyday boards for winter. Remember to convert New Zealand dollars to US dollars if you check out the site.