K2 Aftershock (2013)

If the Aftershock has a weakness, it’s an aversion to snow so hard it’s not fun to ski on anyway. Other than that, high marks across the board—and high praise for its consummate ease and make-you-look-good agility. As its no. 3 Overall Impression ranking suggests, it’s a well-balanced, all-around crowd pleaser. The tip rocker smooths the ride without overdoing it, and a huge sweet spot inspires confidence in rough terrain. “You can’t miss an edge-set.” Notes: With its 86 mm waist, the Aftershock is the fattest of K2’s AMP series of men’s all-mountain performance skis, designed to spend the majority of its time in ungroomed conditions yet still be a responsive carver. It’s a wood-core (aspen/paulownia) metal-laminate Hybritech construction (sturdy vertical sidewall underfoot for edge grip, lightweight cap fore and aft for supple flex). Available as a system, it comes with a 14-DIN Marker/K2 MX binding. Also available flat for $920.K2’s All-Terrain Rocker combines 70 percent camber with 30 percent tip/shovel rocker to smooth the ride, enhance forgiveness and improve soft-snow flotation. Mod Technology features an independently acting secondary core, raised above the deck, to focus power transmission where needed and reduce vibrations for better edge grip and high-speed calm. Mod Monic technology features a strategically placed module to further reduce vibrations.