Review: 2027 K2 Mindbender 96 & 96W Skis
New tech, at least when it comes to skis, is often met with criticism and scrutiny. We’ve all been duped by the latest and greatest advancements in ski technology, only to realize it was just a marketing stunt that didn’t provide any real value.
K2’s “Dark Matter” technology, which is implemented on its newly-refined line of Mindbender skis, isn’t that, thankfully. I was skeptical at first of the little blocks of TPU surrounded by powdered stainless steel, but after skiing the K2 Mindbender 96 across challenging, refrozen spring conditions, I consider myself a believer.
Whether Dark Matter tech provides marginal or significant gains over other brands’ dampening advancements, I’m not sure, but I found myself wishing I could ski the Mindbender 96 for longer to really put it to the test. Could it have just been a placebo effect? Sure, but after skiing over a dozen different pairs of skis across a week at Grand Targhee, I think there could really be something to these weird blocks of plastic and metal adhered near the edges of the Mindbender 96.
The new Mindbender series, now void of confusing “C” and “Ti” variants, is one of the most exciting releases of Winter 26/27, and the new Mindbender 96 might just steal the show as one of the best sub-100mm freeride skis out there.
*Editor’s Note: The K2 Mindbender 96 and Mindbender 96w are the same ski with different topsheets. This review is for both models.
POWDER
2027 K2 Mindbender 96 Specs
- Size skied: 183cm
- Lengths available: 168cm, 173cm, 178cm, 183cm
- Sidecut: 135mm – 96mm – 123mm
- Radius: 20m at 183cm length
- Profile: Rocker/Camber/Rocker
- Weight: 1900g (183cm)
POWDER
2027 K2 Mindbender 96w Specs
- Size skied: 168cm
- Lengths available: 153cm, 158cm, 163cm, 168cm, 173cm
- Sidecut: 135mm – 96mm – 123mm
- Radius: 16m at 168cm length
- Profile: Rocker/Camber/Rocker
- Weight: 1630g (168cm)
Shape, Flex, and Construction
The K2 Mindbender 96 is what you want in a groomer-focused ski with an off-piste itch to scratch. With its aspen and paulownia wood core and K2’s proprietary “Dark Matter” technology, the Mindbender 96 is incredibly damp at speeds, yet snappy enough to slash and burn between trees.
Our testers noted the Mindbender 96’s early rocker rise as an advantage when transitioning from groomer to off-piste terrain: “For a 183cm ski, it felt shorter due to the amount of early rise, but it didn’t feel lacking in grip. The carving performance held up on the steeper groomers as well.”
When it comes to venturing off the corduroy, the Mindbender 96’s mid-narrow waist width floated decently, but it was the firmness of the tail that kept our skiers coming back for more: “They weren’t necessarily forgiving in the pre-thawed bumps due to its stiffer tail, but as the bumps softened up, the skis became a blast as long as you picked the right lines. When you didn’t, it was nice that they skied a little shorter than their length, so you could pivot easily. Once you got into more 3D snow, the sidecut made them a bit more sensitive and required more user input to keep them on line.”
It’s hard to say how much dampening K2’s “Dark Matter” technology actually provides, but I noticed a slight difference when changing from the Mindbender 96 back to my daily driver, the Moment Countach 98. This difference was most notable when I skied through a patch of refrozen crud. The Countach 98s wavered slightly while the Mindbender 96 kept its course.
Chris Segal
On-Snow Performance
Conditions were a bit challenging during our testing days on the K2 Mindbender 96, but the skis held up exceptionally well across ice, refrozen crud, and pure spring slush in the afternoon.
Fans of groomer skis will find the K2 Mindbender 96 surprisingly easy to get on edge, but may find themselves wanting more in terms of stiffness. With that said, the Mindbender 96 isn’t meant to be refined to the piste, and the early-rise rocker and Dark Matter tech help absorb the chop and keep the skier balanced.
Unlike other skis in our test, the K2 Mindbender 96 has shirked the “autopilot” moniker. It’s easy to turn, but advanced skiers will get more from the ski in off-piste scenarios.
Chris Segal
Comparisons
It’s hard to draw a direct comparison for the Mindbender 96 due to K2’s proprietary Dark Matter technology, but it does fall into a general bucket of sub-100mm underfoot skis designed for the masses.
The Stockli Stormrider 95 is significantly stiffer and more groomer-focused, while the Dynastar M-Free 94 feels like the other end of the spectrum—more flexible, poppy, and playful.
If you’re looking for a ski that finds a happy medium between stiffness, the K2 Mindbender 96 would be a great selection.
Chris Segal
What Type of Skier Is the K2 Mindbender 96 Best for?
The K2 Mindbender 96 will be appreciated by former ski racers turned freeriders, and freeriders looking for a narrow underfoot ski during high-pressure cycles.
Last season was a dud for many ski resorts out West, but having a ski like the K2 Mindbender 96 in your quiver could make all the difference. For our friends out East, don’t be surprised if the K2 Mindbender 96 quickly becomes your daily driver.
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