K2 Mindbender 96 C Skis 2026

 The 2026 K2 Mindbender 96 C is a more playful, but still directional, ski in the all mountain category. At 96 mm underfoot it’s narrow enough to be quick edge-to-edge on groomers, but wide enough to handle some variety in snow types if you stumble upon inches of fresh. Compared to the Ti versions of the Mindbender, the 96 C is much lighter on its feet, carbon and flax replace metal here. This means you get a ski that’s more playful, more forgiving, and a whole lot easier to toss around in bumps, trees, or fluffier snow.

The tradeoff is stability; if you like blasting through crud at mach speed or laying trenches on boilerplate, the Ti skis are going to feel more planted. But that’s not really what the 96 C is about. On firm snow it holds an edge well enough for most skiers, though you’ll notice the lack of top end power when you start really pushing on it, while in soft or mixed snow it’s lively and fun, popping in and out of turns without punishing you for mistakes. Skiers who want something that won’t beat them up but still has enough performance to grow with them are going to love this ski, think solid intermediates looking for a versatile daily driver or advanced skiers who prioritize quickness and agility over horsepower.