2013 K2 Sideshow Review

A lot of the all-mountain skis we've been reviewing lately have been 98 mm wide underfoot - a safe bet for a lot of western skiers as a quiver of one ski.

But the 2013 K2 Sideshow, coming in at 90 mm underfoot deserves consideration as well, both in-bounds and for backcountry skiing. On sale now for only $299! Click here

K2 Skis have embraced rocker perhaps more holistically than almost any other ski brand, including some form of early rise in basically every ski in the line.

The K2 SideShow uses what they call "All Terrain Rocker" - which basically translates to a moderate amount of low-rise tip rocker (gradually lifting off the snow, not radically veering upwards).

Unlike a lot of skis in the category, it's got flat, square tails. These are a nod to the ski's backcountry skiing utility - better for digging into the snow, making anchors, etc - but for everybody else it makes for a solid turn finish that feels more traditional than some newer skis.

Add in a metal laminate - uncommon in skis this light - and the K2 Sideshow is a solid 50/50 hard snow/soft snow performer.

Here's what SierraJim had to say about the K2 Sideshow:
"Skiing both at Winter Park and Mammoth Mountain, the Sideshow had similar or better grip compaired to some of the more groomer oriented K2 system skis, but was quite a bit livelier.
I found the Sideshow to be particularly capable in firmer off-trail conditions like chalky wind-buff at Mammoth. The tip rocker and sidecut combined to make for easy turn initiation regardless of conditions. The light-weight and tip rocker made me prefer a longer length for stability.
The K2 Sideshow is a good ski for someone who prefers energy and grip over dampening and comfort - good for anybody from intermediate to expert."

As mentioned earlier - this ski is part of K2's backcountry ski line - using flat tails, light-weight construction and tip and tail holes for attaching climbing skins. In the backcountry, it's a versatile tool.

The metal construction makes it grip well and feel more solid than other ultralight backcountry skis - great for those wind-scoured icy patches and couloir drop-ins we find out of bounds.

90 mm underfoot isn't quite fat enough for the deepest powder days, but the tip rocker helps it plain in both the powder and variable snow.

So this is a great ski for a variety of people - an in-bounds skier looking for a lightweight 50/50 groomer/off-piste ski, a quiver-of-one ski with something like the Marker Tour to do everything in-bounds and out, or a hardcore backcountry skier using something like Dynafit Bindings to go deep into the mountains.

Buy the 2013 K2 SideShow here for only $299.

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