Ski: K2 Reckoner 102 24/25

Reviewer height/weight: 6’0, 215lbs

Ski weights: 2012/ 2018g

Length skied: 184cm

Actual length (with straight tape): 184cm

Dimensions: 134-102-127

Radius: 19.4cm @ 184

Mount Point: True Center

Bindings: Look Pivot 15

Locations: Sunshine Village, Austria, Mt Hood, Rabbit Hill

Conditions skied: Spring Slush, Man-Made Snow, Mid-Season Hard Pack, Some Jumps and Lot’s of Rails

Days Skied: 34

Photos by: Chris Foote & Kohl Stadler

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This one is a long time coming. And apologies for getting this done in January, but for good reason…

Since K2 dropped the first gen of the Reckoner 102 it has been favoured by team riders and freestyle enthusiasts alike. Known for being lightweight and having a forgiving and playful personality, this ski captured the hearts of many, including mine. But durability plagued the first gen as the all-mtn designed twin-tip couldn't handle the demands of the everyday Newschooler, leaving many heartbroken park rats wanting more from the ski.

Fast forward to now. We have a second gen of the Reckoner 102, and K2 heard the sad stories. The new model promises durability without compromising everything we loved about the model with its damp and predictable build, light swing-weight and playful flex.

I was fortunate enough to hop on the 24/25 model early last spring, and I put it through the paces. I’ve brought this ski partying through the Banff spring and swerved Howly Bowly, then to a Danihell Hanka abusive rail jam in early summer, following that to the trenches of Windell’s with a solstice at the top of Hood, and finally back to the Rockies for the pre-season/ mid-season hard pack and rail carnage. I loved the old model coming into this, and the new one did not disappoint, but I had to ride it for a proper amount of time before coming to a conclusion.

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Shape/Flex/Construction:

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When compared to the old model, not much is notable in terms of shape and flex. The 24/25 keeps the same 134-102-127 with a casual hybrid camber-rocker profile from the old model. I found the flex to be on par as well, but with a bit more stability found underfoot, and a bit more play in the tips and tail, with more being found in the tails compared to the nose while still being able to lean and flex with both ends. The ski still contains the same carbon braids as before, and help the newer version stay true to its old self.

While construction doesn't see many updates on paper, this year's model is about 200 grams heavier than its predecessor (But close to the predecessor’s predecessor; the Shreditor 102, history repeats itself?) I didnt notice the weight difference, these are still incredibly nimble and agile. The new and old model alike both contain K2’s Twin Tech sidewalls, I think the weight comes from an improved version of the tech to improve durability as promised.

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On Snow:

Over 100mm with a detune on a groomer, DON'T TELL RICKETY.

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The Reckoner is designed to be an all-mountain/ everything ski that happens to be an unbelievably fun park ski, to no surprise it rides the full resort no problem. I'm able to hold an edge and complete a turn properly, which is delivered from the flex and shape of the ski. It is far from the stiffest and snappiest ski on the market, which means you don't have to be aggressive to create energy in turns and have an absolute blast ripping around the mountain. The balance between the snap and dampness creates a predictable and reliable ski, it will bend and move when you tell it to, and can snap on command without getting bucked and losing control.

That said, it is better suited for moderate off piste conditions and moderate sized drops. While I'm pretty heavy and do feel fully stable and confident on the ski, the softer and more playful tails do demand perfection on a steeper or unpredictable line. Balance and pressure underfoot is where the ski delivers it's stability, so getting too much weight on the tails can lead to a washout easier than some. It won't happen quick though, as I said they are predictable, it's hard to lose the ski from under you at a moment's notice.

At 134mm in the nose it does have some float, but this best performs in soft snow rather than deep snow. Even the Reckoner has bigger mid-wide choices better suited for a pow day. That said, if I were to roll up on an almost 5cm day where I could get some real laps in the morning before heading to the park, I wouldn't be bummed to have the 102 on my feet.

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Park/Jibbing:

SSV Sunset on the left, Rabbit Hill Rainbow on the right.

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God Damn this ski is as fun as it looks on IG. I swear I feel like I’m as steezy as Joona on the days I’m locked in, or like EZ when I’m cruising the park and goofing off trying weird shit. It’s a fun ski, and hits the happy medium of tech vs swerve.

For rails it’s light and poppy. Spinning on is easy to get the snap and bring the skis around. The swingweight continues to swaps as it is easy to throw and the ski responds well to edge control. Spinning off? You got it. Landing? Be on your feet. The noses tend to have more forgiveness on a heavy switch exit, but landing forward, similar to drops on the ski, can wash away or look sloppy if you get wonky on it.

This strategy applies to jumps as well. It’s super easy to bring the skis where they need to be to get the grab. And I honestly felt I could go as big as I wanted IF I was taking it to switch, it always felt bolts and created a trust that the ski would keep my hands and face off the snow. Landing forward did create the same trust as long as I was on point, and while there is some forgiveness to slightly backseat, any more than that would require a stiffer tail to keep you from grazing your ass in the flat bottom.

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Durability:

The part we have all been waiting for….. How does the new Reckoner hold up?

Can confirm, it is better than the old Reckoners. Of my 34 days on it I couldn't tell you how many rails it’s hit, or how many rocks it's skimmed, but I still have them and can still ride them. More than that, they have a bright future ahead of them.

For the sake of the review I tried to stay consistent with which ski was on which foot. I am decently balanced with which foot is forward on rails, but still favor my right foot. See the picture below for the example (Green base is my right ski, tan base is my left). I think I counted 5 edge cracks underfoot throughout all 4 edges. I haven't blown them up, and there is yet to be any delam.

I think durability is on par with most park skis in today's market. I am NOT going to blatantly say they are indestructible. If you’re hitting the park everyday, you will damage them and they will eventually break, so is the life of a dedicated park ski. But chances are that unless you are getting 3+ days a week I would trust these for a full season.

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Comparisons:

K2 Omen:

Let’s start with the obvious for those who love K2 and can't decide which model. The Omen is stable on the jumps and stomps, weighs a bit more, and is designed to take a hit from riding exclusively in park. The most notable difference is the stiffness in the tails and the quick rebound in the Omen. The Reckoner has more versatility, more forgiveness and a lot more play. So if you ride only park, send big and stomp hard, Omen is the better option. If you like to press and butter, dip in the trees on your way to the park, and occasionally spin over 5, I’m going to recommend the Reckoner.

Chronic 101:

It’s a tough choice between the Reckoner and the Chronic. Key points are that the Chronic’s stiffer tail adds a lot of stability that the Reckoner does not have. The Chronic also feels heavier and feels like a true park ski. Reaction and dampness are also close, with the Reckoner’s light weight making it easier to throw around, they both respond similarly. The K2 has more sidecut and shape rides more like a traditional mountain ski. I’m a huge fan of the Chronic, but I sway towards the Reckoner for my ski style. Durability I will rank the same as well where it matters. Both are dope, do with that what you will.

Armada ARV 100:

These are designed to be in the same category, at around 100mm and and a good everyday ski for park rats who are lucky enough to ride good mountains. The ARV is damp, and I mean really damp. I like a ski with some flavor and the Armada lacked that. Even though the Reckoner is predictable, it still snapped back where the ARV felt slow to respond. The big difference is the K2 has a stiffer nose with the stability underfoot to make me feel comfy.

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Conclusion:

It’s not hard to tell that I love this ski. I hope all my reviews don’t sound like I’m on repeat, @Twig has been getting me some fire products to test out. If it snows under 5cm, is sunny/soft/slushy or just a straight up park day these are the first skis I’m grabbing. They don’t specialize in anything, they are a pretty good mountain ski that is extremely fun in the park.

So if you’re an aspiring comp jock who wants to do nothing but big jumps and big stomps, or are looking into the FWQ schedule and are scoping lines daily, look at something more specific to your goals.

But if you’re like me, and want a ski that can slash some soft snow, send the odd line, slide some rails, send the best 5’s you can and make it to aprés with a smile. Brother, I might have the ski for you.