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Powder Rocker
ROCKER: Easy initiation, versatility, agility
CAMBER: Control, edge hold, rebound
This tip has the most elevation and longest measurement of Rocker and offers skiers a “surfy” feel with enhanced soft-snow performance. The camber region still exists to ensure edge-hold on firmer conditions.
Simply put, Powder Rocker provides unmatched flotation in deep snow.
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Powder-Specific Tip Design
The widest point of a powder tip is 7cm back from the standard contact point. The design adds stability and predictability while skiing and is less likely to hook or grab in light crusts or variable conditions. -
Progressive Sidecut
Progressive sidecut is a combination of two different radii, or sidecuts, that enhance the versatility of wider-waist skis. Standard sidecut theory is based on using a single radius. This works well on narrower skis, but becomes overpowering on wider skis, especially in variable conditions. The use of progressive sidecut on wider-waist skis guarantees improved turn initiation and hard-snow performance. -
BIO Core Tech
For backcountry skiers conscious of their caloric and environmental output, our Adventure skis use a blended core of aspen, bamboo, and Paulownia, (a reforestation plantation tree similar to bamboo) that has consistent density, great strength-to-weight ratio, and fast-growth carbon-sequestration. The core is just one component of the ski, but the result is 15% weight savings over our traditional fir/aspen cores and a lessened footprint, reducing the impact of the ski on you and the winter world. -
Tip and Tail Holes
Holes in the tip and tail are not only the attachments points for K2 skins, but they also fit the functional needs of a backcountry skier including the ability to build a rescue sled or construct various ski anchors. The holes are equipped with removable plugs. -
Flat Tails
All Adventure skis come with flat tails, providing backcountry utility by allowing you to plunge the tails easily into firm snow. -
Skin Clip Arc
The tails of our Adventure skis are designed with a concave notch to ensure that the skin clip, regardless of size or skin brand, stays securely centered on the tail. -
Climbing Skins
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Hybritech Sidewalls
Hybritech is a unique blend of sidewall and cap constructions. The construction combines the accuracy, power and performance of sidewall underfoot with the lightweight characteristics and smooth turn initiation of cap construction. -
Triaxial Braiding
Triaxial braiding consists of braiding fiberglass around a wood core to provide torsional rigidity for added control. Developed in 1988 by K2 engineers, the patented triaxial braiding machine interlocks strands of fiberglass around a milled wood core. While flex and torsion vary depending on the wood, Triaxially braided skis share the common traits of ease, forgiveness, responsiveness, and energy in both expert and entry level skis.
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
- Great flotation (6)
- Durable (5)
- Good grip (5)
- Good carving ability (4)
Cons
Best Uses
- Downhill (4)
- Powder (4)
- Powder skiing (3)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Advanced (3)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (5)
Reviews
Reviewed by 9 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-9
Pros
- Perfect
Cons
- None
Best Uses
- Powder Skiing
- Telemarking
Comments about K2 Skis DarkSide:
The greatest skis ever made. Bravo to the design team. Please don't change a thing or discontinue the model. Far superior to twin-tips for technical & big mountain skiing.
However, I can't find the matching skins anywhere. Suggestions?
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
- Powder Skiing
Comments about K2 Skis DarkSide:
Used these ALL season heliskiing- in the steep trees of the Monashees--
They are fast- float well even when it is a bit upside down, eat sun and wind effect, and let you turn on a dime - if you are confident enough to stand up on them-- I had a chance to ride them at the ski hill and had a blast on corduroy too-- Could not put these away -- a definite weapon of choice
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Good Grip
- Great Flotation
- Smooth Ride
Cons
Best Uses
- Powder Skiing
- Telemarking
Comments about K2 Skis DarkSide:
Rockered tip makes it easy to initiate a turn. Camber and 128mm underfoot creates a great platform for high speeds and holds an edge well. Not very heavy. Sweet ride, super fun powder ski.
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
- All Mountain Ski
- Downhill
Comments about K2 Skis DarkSide:
I ski at Crystal Mountain in WA, These skis are the best ski I have ever skied, ever. The first day I skied them in knee deep fluff and they were, snappy, quick and responsive in evey angled I skied. The fun Factor needle was pegged the whole day. I am 58 years old and have skied just about every trend in skiing and this is it. The tip floats and waist of the DS crabs and railes with the tails scrubbibg. My son and I both have Coombas and fear we have skied them for the last time. Great work K2 and I would like to buy you a beer for making a great ski. [...]
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Images shared by BigBill
Darkside in Spook Hill, Crystal Mt. WA
(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)
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Pros
- Great Flotation
- Predictable
Cons
- NONE
Best Uses
Comments about K2 Skis DarkSide:
A bit of context first. I live in Alpine Meadows California, and ski Squaw on big storm days and backcountry when it's crowded in the resort. I'm in good shape from riding mountain bikes, and get in about 150 days/year.
I purchased these skis last spring as we were hammered by new snow, and my old powder skis broke ;-) (from too much use). We get a lot of heavy snow here in Tahoe, with the occasional light snow day here and there.
These are my go to skis for anything over 6" of new snow. They don't care if it's light/heavy, new or cut up. The tips float and help you save a lot of moves - including fast jumps. The platform for landing is wonderful. They are good at slow speeds and throttle fully opened - as in racing for the next chair to open @ squaw.
The only thing these skis don't like are small/firm moguls - buy hey, nor do I with any ski.
I'm surprised at how well these skis behave on the groomed, which is just the "get to the lift" for me, but these skis have made it fun.
Get them, you will be quite happy. I'm on the 188, and LOVE THEM!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Good Carving Ability
- Good Grip
- Great Flotation
Cons
Best Uses
- Powder
Comments about K2 Skis DarkSide:
Never had a Ski before that's such easy to turn no matter if you're the first in the gorge or if the powder has already been beaten up. The DarkSide will lift you up (ski wise and emotional as well).
It's so easy to handle that I've already thought that it may almost be unsportsmanlike easy to ski those planks :-)
Bottom line, best Back-Country-Ski I've ever had!!!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Good Carving Ability
- Good Grip
- Great Flotation
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Downhill
- Powder
Comments about K2 Skis DarkSide:
I got these in the middle of the season to add a super fat ski to my quiver. I took them out in early February 2010, when a Snowstorm that latest almost a week hit Tirol, Austria, which brought about 80 cm of fresh snow.
After skiing them three storm days, I took them our on a blue bird day and after a few hours, when the fresh stuff was skied out, they proved to be more than a powder ski. It took one lift to adjust to the edge angles they needed to carve a turn on the groomed and they are also fun in chopped up conditions and tighter terrain as long as the snow does not get too hard.
The flex pattern is a bit "rounder" than the Sidestashe's flex, as they do not have any metal laminate. The tip rocker is more noticable than in the other backside models, but still does not flap on hard snow. For anyone who needs a second or third ski in his quiver (or at least thinks he needs one), don't be afraid of the width. Super fun and managable "fatty" that can do more than just powder.
Pros
- Durable
- Good Carving Ability
- Good Grip
- Great Flotation
Cons
Best Uses
- Downhill
- Powder
Comments about K2 Skis DarkSide:
The DarkSide is a full tilt powder ski with no compromise. The more days I spend on the DarkSides the better my season. Whether I'm heli-skiing in AK or dropping off the backside the DarkSide is my favorite ski in my quiver.
Pros
- Durable
- Good Carving Ability
- Good Grip
- Great Flotation
Cons
Best Uses
- Downhill
- Powder
Comments about K2 Skis DarkSide:
This is a powder ski with guts! Traditional camber underfoot gives this ski stability and power while tip rocker makes the fore body feather easily into a turn.
Displaying reviews 1-9
DarkSide
Built with Powder Rocker
This item is currently unavailable through our website
Size ChartSizes: 174, 181, 188
Radius: 27m @ 181
Construction: Triaxial Braided, Hybritech Sidewall, Aspen/Paulownia
Weight: 2100g
Features: Powder Tip, Progressive Sidecut, Tip and Tail Holes, Pre-Cut Skins Available
