K2 2019 Pinnacle 118 Skis
With so many options on the market, finding a pair of skis that fit your skill level can seem impossible. That’s why we’re here!
Let’s take a look at the K2 2019 Pinnacle 118 Skis. Are they right for you? We loved that they are great on powder, highly responsive, poppy, and very lightweight.
With that said, not everyone is after the same thing when it comes to skis. For some skiers, these might prove to be too damp, and may not be able to keep up with the speediest of skiers. As such, beginners also won’t be a great fit for this skis.
But are these the skis for you? Or are they worth passing up? Let’s take a closer look at the K2 2019 Pinnacle 118 Skis and find out.
Contents
K2 2019 Pinnacle 118 Skis: The Details
In a Nutshell
- Lengths: 177, 184, 191 cm.
- Sidecut: 145/118/135 mm at 184 cm length.
- Profile: Rocker/Camber/Rocker.
- Turn Radius: 23 meters at 184 cm length.
- Level: Advanced to expert skiers.
- Type: Powder skis.
Features
Profile
The K2 2019 Pinnacle 118 Skis have a rocker/camber/rocker profile. This translates to the tip and tail of the skis being slightly upturned, while the middle is concave.
As such, when you place your feet on the skis, the midsection will flatten out and ensure there is always some point of contact with the snow.
This profile makes the skis very floaty. They’ll never sink into even the lightest, fluffiest snow.
Core
The K2 2019 Pinnacle skis use a couple of different materials in the core. It’s composed primarily of a mixture of fir and aspen wood.
The combo makes the skis lightweight and strong. K2 also uses its patented Konic technology in the core. This means the weight is redistributed to the perimeter of the ski, ensuring power, strength, and stability at the edges.
As a plus, this reduces the swing weight, makes the entire ski lighter, and makes the set easier to control.
Hybrid Sidewall Construction
The 2019 Pinnacle 118 Skis use Hybritech sidewalls.
The ABS sidewall construction under your feet is blended with full cap construction in the tip and tail, giving the rider accuracy, power, a lightweight ski, and easy turning.
This combination ensures the rider has the best experience possible while on the slopes.
Laminates
The K2 2019 Pinnacle 118 Skis use carbon stringers as the laminate to make K2’s patented Triaxial Braid.
Carbon stringers are braided together in the body and tail of each ski to add pop and rebound when doing tricks or jumps.
This laminate also makes the skis very durable and strong. You certainly won’t be replacing these skis after only one season!
K2 2019 Pinnacle 118 Skis Review
The Positives
Really Great on Powder
It might be obvious since these are powder skis – but we still have to say it; they are amazing on powder. We loved that they float like a dream, and you never have to worry about sinking or the tips digging into the snow.
With the lightweight construction, the sidewalls, and the core, you’re guaranteed to glide on top of even the lightest powder with no issue at all.
While most all-mountain skis can be taken on powder with little issue, these skis feel like they’re made for powder, and won’t let you down when you take it out in the fluffy snow. The powder is where these skis truly shine.
Very Good on Icy Terrain
While these are excellent powder skis, don’t let that fool you into thinking they won’t work on other terrains as well. They also perform great in icy or hard-packed conditions.
The set remains stable even in those rougher environments and holds a solid edge even in hard snow. You may not gain the same speed as you do in powder, but you won’t be sacrificing stability or control by riding in other terrains.
The fir and aspen wood core, along with the carbon stringers, ensures you can make it through the tough stuff without too many issues. These aren’t the skis to hold you back just because conditions are kind of rough.
This makes these skis hardy as much as they are versatile, so you won’t be forced to switch skis (or purchase a new pair entirely) if you want to take these skis out on a variety of terrain.
Incredibly Lightweight
The K2 2019 Pinnacle 118 Skis are also super lightweight. Besides ensuring they stay afloat on powder, this also means you’ll never feel like weights are strapped to your feet on slopes.
The Konic technology in the core, the laminates, and the sidewalls are all constructed with the most lightweight materials possible. You can carry them without much effort and sail along without feeling burdened.
Lightweight skis won’t just have your body and legs thanking you at the end of the day, but lighter skis also make it easier to tackle tricks and jumps, and help to up the fun factor on your skis.
As a bonus, you won’t have to worry about lugging extra weight to and from the slopes every day. All around, lightweight skis make a day out on the snow much more enjoyable!
Super Stable
We love the weight of these skis, but just because the Pinnacle 118 skis are lightweight, doesn’t mean they’re wobbly or flimsy.
The dual-wood core and the sidewalls, along with the rocker/camber/rocker profile, all work together to ensure you always feel secure, no matter the conditions.
Stable skis help in keeping the skier confident, which is important when out on the slopes too. It’ll be easy to keep calm and cool since you won’t have to worry about wiping out or any accidents.
And since they’re able to take on ice, you can trust that these skis will stay balanced even in rougher conditions, leaving you with even less to worry about.
The Pinnacle Skis will also have your body thanking you in the long run since it’ll take less effort to have these skis respond to your demands.
Extremely Easy to Control
Speaking about responsiveness, based on our observations, the Pinnacle 118 skis are super easy to control and are very responsive.
With the help of the sidewalls and core, this set provides the accuracy you need while gliding along the slopes.
You’ll be able to move or turn on a dime. When you need to pivot around other skiers, swerve to avoid a tree, or dodge any other obstacle, these skis ensure you can make quick and accurate movements.
Not only will this help with your overall confidence while skiing, but skis that are easy to control make it all the breezier to tackle turns and tricks.
Pretty Poppy
We also loved just how poppy the K2 2019 Pinnacle 118 Skis are. This means when you’re jumping, doing tricks, or just going along a mogul course, you won’t feel as much impact when landing.
The skis will ensure your legs and knees don’t get as much of a jolt as they would in the absence of this pop. The dampness of these skis are enough to help you to tackle the park or jumps with ease, but your body will thank you for it!
If you’re looking for a fun set of skis to take on a variety of terrain, the Pinnacle K2 118s won’t be the skis to let you down.
The Negatives
Could Be Damper
While these skis are poppy and stable, there’s room for them to improve in the dampness department.
There’s a chance you’ll feel quite a bit of chatter and vibration, which could make your experience a little underwhelming. Most skis usually have some kind of material built into the construction that helps absorb a degree of that extra shock.
And while the Pinnacle has used some reinforcements, there’s room to get these up to par with some of the best damp skis on the market. The sidewalls may not be enough to keep up.
Be Careful at Higher Speeds
While most skiers will find these skis quite stable, others found this wasn’t the case when they reached higher speeds. If you do end up getting these K2 skis, be sure to limit how fast you go or things could get really tricky.
As such, if you have a need for speed, this may not be the set for you. This is unfortunate, especially since these skis are designed for more advanced skiers who sometimes want a faster pace.
Not for Beginners
On that note, we should inform you that the K2 2019 Pinnacle 118 Skis are not for beginners.
They are easy to control, stable, and great on powder, but you will need an advanced skill level to properly enjoy the set. Otherwise, they can’t be used at their full potential.
They require an aggressive rider with experience in handling stronger skies. A beginner may find them to be stiff, unwieldy, or just overwhelming – even with their lightweight design.
If you’re a beginner you’ll want to work your way up to these skis or else you may end up getting frustrated with the Pinnacle K2s, or worse, you could end up getting hurt.
Overall Verdict
After looking over all the positives and negatives, we recommend the K2 2019 Pinnacle 118 Skis. With how well they ride on powder, their poppiness, and their ease of control, these are a pretty great set.
Some riders may find an issue with the lack of dampness but that depends on what you’re after and your riding style.
If that doesn’t bother you and you’re an advanced or expert skier, this set is definitely worth checking out.
Where to Buy the K2 2019 Pinnacle 118 Skis
K2 is a ski company with decades in the game. Their products are sold around the globe and their lineup features everything a skier needs from poles to helmets and other skiing accessories.
Their attention to manufacturing quality skis has made them a popular choice amongst both skiers and enthusiasts.
Thanks to K2’s popularity and success, items like the K2 2019 Pinnacle 118 Skis won’t be too hard to find both in-store and online.
While it’s usually best to check sporting and outdoor stores, you can kick-start your search with the following online retailers.
- EVO (from $479)
- Freeze Pro Shop (from $437)
- K2 Skis (from $799)
And of course, you can also find these skis on Amazon.
That’s the end of our K2 Pinnacle 118 review. Curious to give these skis a try?
