Last tested
2025
Status:ongoing|Restyling
2026

Mindbender 96C W

The most versatile women's ski in the Mindbender collection, it's designed for riders who like to mix it up: from groomers to tree runs and spring snow or crust in the backcountry
In brief
Suitable for
one-ski quiver
Not suitable for
backseat skiers, anyone who doesn't care about versatility
Also suitable for
technical terrain
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  • Buyer’s Guide reviews
  • In words
  • Technical specifications

Buyer’s Guide reviews

Positioning
Handling
Traditional ski-tourer
Suggested curve arc
Long radius
Used by
Sam Kuch, Manon Loschi
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On-snow performance
Hard / packed
Powder
Wind-blown / crust
Damp / wet
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The charts show our impressions from testing
Product info
Category average
Trip purpose
Height difference / Engagement
Performance / Line
Skiing / Slope
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Recommended use
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Recommended level
Technical Level
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
High level
Weight
lightmedianheavy
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In words

Intro
You don't need to be on the podium at the Freeride World Tour to appreciate the new K2 Mindbender 96C W. The most versatile women's ski in the Mindbender collection, it's designed for riders who like to mix it up. Groomers or tree runs, spring snow or crust in the backcountry, this ski can handle it all. The use of carbon rather than titanal in the construction lowers the weight without compromising on stability, making this model more accessible than the Mindbender 99Ti. At 96 mm underfoot, this ski is the perfect mix of agility and float—an all-mountain ski with a freeride soul that instills confidence and control in all kinds of conditions.
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On the snow
Not a ski that you warm to straight away, but once you get to know it, you'd trust it with your life. The K2 Mindbender 96C W has plenty of character, which becomes apparent in ascent, both in terms of weight and stiffness, so not the first choice for taking on endless vertical. But in descent it comes into its own; stable, planted and responsive where necessary. The generous shovel guarantees good float, but requires a firm hand otherwise it tends to go straight—if you don't give clear instructions, it'll take over. This is a ski that calls for good technique, but in return is dependable and fun. Solid and stable, as dynamic as the situation calls for, it's aimed at skiers who like a little of everything—lifts, light freeride, touring. It's also excellent on steep, technical terrain. A trusty all-rounder and excellent partner in crime.
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Technical specifications

Construction
cap-sidewall
Materials
aspen, bio-resina, laminates
Base
sintered polyethylene
Available sizes
148, 154, 160, 166, 172
Released in
2024
Made in
China
Price
600 €
Declared specsMeasured by us
We measured the length 169 to get all the details
169 cm
Length
XXXXX
131 cm
Tip width
XXXXX
119 cm
Tail width
XXXXX
96 cm
Waist width
XXXXX
N/A
Edge contact
XXXXX
N/A
Camber
XXXXX
N/A
Tip rocker
XXXXX
N/A
Tail rocker
XXXXX
N/A
Individual weight
XXXXX
N/A
Left weight
XXXXX
N/A
Right weight
XXXXX
14,1 m
Sidecut radius
XXXXX
N/A
Load-bearing surface
XXXXX
N/A
Tip torsion
XXXXX
N/A
Center torsion
XXXXX
N/A
Tail torsion
XXXXX
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Top stories
Thoughts
Necessity

Editorial

Thoughts
At the heart of every ski (duplicate)

Editorial

Location
Test Center Pontedilegno Tonale

Our freeride base camp 

Location
Base Camp Race

Sertorelli Sport Hotel

Location
Test Center Cervino Ski Paradise

To test the equipment and skins for the Race category, we based ourselves in Breuil-Cervinia

Location
Test Center Livigno

For the second year in a row, we headed to Livigno, aka Little Tibet.

Race
Intro
Race: boots

Innovation at the lower end of the market

Instruction
Boot under the microscope

We tested flex, walkability and liner warmth in the Light, Tour and Free unisex models

Intro
Made for women: skis and boots

Strong women

Free
Intro
Free: boots

A new era

Recommended pairing
preview 2024
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preview 2025
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Weight: 1.464 g
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Boots
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People's Choice Tour 2026
tested 2026
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Weight: 1.250 g
Smart Choice Tour 2026
tested 2026
Boots
Tour
La Sportiva
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Buckles: 4
Weight: 1.480 g
Free Boot of the Year Lady
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Boots
Tour
Made for women
La Sportiva
Sender Woman
Buckles: 4
Weight: 1.325 g
Tour Boot of the Year Lady
tested 2026
Boots
Tour
Made for women
Dynafit
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Buckles: 2
Weight: 1.130 g
Pro's Choice Tour 2026
tested 2026
Boots
Tour
Tecnica
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Buckles: 4
Weight: 1.320 g
Boot of the year Tour 2026
tested 2026
Boots
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Scarpa
4-Quattro SL
Buckles: 4
Weight: 1.430 g
tested 2026
Boots
Tour
Made for women
Tecnica
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Weight: 1.480 g
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Boots
Tour
Made for women
Scarpa
Gea
Buckles: 3
Weight: 1.220 g
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Boots
Tour
Scott
Cosmos Pro
Buckles: 3
Weight: 1.380 g
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Boots
Tour
Scarpa
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Weight: 1.400 g
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Tour
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Buckles: 4
Weight: 1.634 g
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Boots
Tour
Made for women
Atomic
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Buckles: 2
Weight: N/A g
tested 2025
Boots
Tour
Made for women
K2
Dispatch LT W
Buckles: 4
Weight: 1.390 g
preview 2026
Boots
Tour
Made for women
Dalbello
Quantum Free W
Buckles: 2
Weight: 1.200 g
tested 2026
Boots
Tour
Made for women
Scarpa
4-Quattro SL WMN
Buckles: 4
Weight: 1.290 g
Recommended setup
tested 2026
Bindings
Tour
Marker
Cruise 12
Type: full pin
Weight: 475 g
tested 2026
Bindings
Tour
Salomon
MTN Summit 12 BR
Type: full pin
Weight: 415 g
tested 2026
Bindings
Tour
Atomic
Backland Summit 12 BR
Type: full pin
Weight: 415 g
tested 2026
Bindings
Tour
Marker
Alpinist Free 13
Type: full pin
Weight: 395 g
tested 2026
Bindings
Tour
Dynafit
Seven Summits+
Type: full pin
Weight: 380 g
tested 2026
Bindings
Tour
Free
ATK Bindings
Raider 12 SL
Type: full pin
Weight: 330 g
tested 2026
Bindings
Light
Tour
Ski Trab
Titan Vario.2 + Stopper 7-9
Type: full pin
Weight: 309 g
tested 2026
Bindings
Tour
Fritschi
Xenic Plus 12
Type: full pin
Weight: 290 g
tested 2026
Bindings
Tour
ATK Bindings
Kuluar 12 SL
Type: full pin
Weight: 180 g
tested 2026
Bindings
Tour
ATK Bindings
Crest 10
Type: full pin
Weight: 300 g
tested 2025
Bindings
Light
Tour
Plum
Pika Stopper
Type: full pin
Weight: 265 g
tested 2025
Bindings
Tour
Salomon
MTN Pure
Type: full pin
Weight: 295 g
tested 2025
Bindings
Tour
Dynafit
Superlite 175+
Type: full pin
Weight: 319 g
tested 2025
Bindings
Tour
Dynafit
ST Rotation 14
Type: full pin
Weight: 605 g
tested 2025
Bindings
Tour
Dynafit
ST Rotation 10
Type: full pin
Weight: 599 g
preview 2025
Bindings
Tour
Dynafit
Speed Radical
Type: full pin
Weight: 340 g
preview 2025
Bindings
Tour
Plum
Guide 12
Type: full pin
Weight: 340 g
preview 2025
Bindings
Tour
Kreuzspitze
EL 2.0
Type: full pin
Weight: 350 g
tested 2025
Bindings
Tour
Dynafit
Blacklight
Type: full pin
Weight: 280 g
preview 2025
Bindings
Tour
Atomic
Backland Tour
Type: full pin
Weight: 398 g
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Atomic
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