Powder Delight!

By Seth Morrison Ranked #8 - Big Mountain Freeride Skis October 14, 2009

This ski is part of my quiver, small quiv of 2. Besides the performance of these skis in Powder I like the graphics from year to year. When riding the lifts as a single I find people either talk about them or are to scared to say a word to you when they see them on your feet. Schmies once again came up with a great graphic.

Now for the action, Mount mine with the boot center at +6, you may want to move back a cm or so if you have a larger foot, I'm a 25. You need to be more forward on these to be more centered in the rocker and the fact that the tail is slightly softer than the tip. The reason behind this is that The Hellbent is designed to land or ride switch in powder. The ski is forgiving and the amount of rocker is the most in the k2 line up. Seeing that this ski has a standard side cut and camber underfoot it still turns and holds an edge on the groomers or firm snow heading back to the lift after your face shot adventure. I like to use this ski when its very deep, but you still can enjoy it with just a few inches of powder. The width and rocker help flotation so much that at speed you will be skimming the surface, unless you weigh alot obviously. The skis measure much longer, (5cm's) than what the side wall states, don't let this discourage you, they ski more like the stated size. Rocker makes them feel shorter thats why they are longer so as to be true to size. In tree pow they are quick and nimble. You'll be surprised how lively they are when you want to pop off a little roll or bump on the way down in powder. I ride the 189 and weigh 155, more like 175 with pack and all the ski gear on.

I tell people skis like this will take 10 years off your life. After a powder day or your first pow run on them you'll know what I mean. Its like being a little kid, you will have the feeling of getting on fat skis for the first time all over again.

View Details: K2 Hellbent Alpine Ski

Helpful Votes: 3 Yes | 0 No