The K2 ski company history begins on Vashon Island in Washington State. The Kirschner family, who resided on the island, manufactured splints and animal cages composed of reinforced plastics. In 1961, Bill Kirschner constructed his first pair of fiberglass skis, and in 1964, Kirschner Manufacturing sold 250 pairs of this new type of ski. With time, the K2 ski company became one the country's top snow sport manufacturers. K2 sells skis for all types of skiers and for all types of terrain.
The T: Nine Series
The 1972 Title IX amendment, which prohibited educational institutions from discriminating against girls in school sports, inspired the women's K2 T:Nine series. This series has a forward binding mount, which accommodates a woman's lower center of gravity and aligns it with her base of support. K2 women's skis use a Marker binding system whose toe and heel hubs are closer together to accommodate smaller boot sizes. This type of Marker binding is a pound lighter than those used in men's skis. The T: Nine series skis, like most women's skis, are lighter and more flexible. K2 uses a lighter metal and a multi-wood technology called "Bioflex Core," consisting of lightweight spruce at the tips and tails and fir underfoot. The fir eases turn initiation, and the spruce provides stability underfoot.
Backside Adventure Series
K2 designed the Backside Adventure series for expert skiers who earn their turns by climbing the slopes and exploring the deep powder in the backcountry. Since accumulated snow makes the ski heavier, the patented SnoPhobic top-sheet features a snow repellent. The K2 backcountry skis have wide tip, which prevents the skis from hooking the snow, and flat tails, which allow you to plunge your skis into the snow and maintain stability while searching for something in your pack. They also feature tip and tail holes for rescue sled attachment and special clips for attaching climbing skins.
Factory Team Series
K2 created its Factory Team series for skiers who play in the terrain park and half-pipe. These twin tip skis have an upturned tip and tail, which facilitates bi-directional movement. Skiing over benches and rails can damage your skis, so K2 added tip and tail plates to protect them. Since many park rats are also powder hounds, K2 created twin-tips with SchizFrantic inserts, which allow you to place the binding at the core center for park skiing or move it backward for powder. Some of the Factory Team skis come with removable rivets, which allow you to attach climbing skins for backcountry skiing.
Groms
Binding mount poses a problem for youth-specific skis, because the ski must have a certain thickness in order to retain the binding screws, which add weight and stiffness, two qualities that make it difficult for children to learn the sport. When K2 created the Groms series for youths, the company did away with the screws and fused the binding plate to the ski. This created a more flexible ski, while facilitating easy turn initiation.
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