K2 Pinnacle 85 in test: More fun on the slopes!

"Freeride skis belong in deep snow!" This thinking is deeply embedded in the minds of skiers, especially if, like me, you've been skiing classic carvers, race skis or all-mountain skis for years. And conversely, one is suspicious. Freeride skis don't belong on the slopes, they're not suitable for that, you think. No way! That this is a mistake, of which today's test of the K2 Pinnacle 85 should finally convince me.

The dear Felix Bösch, country manager of K2 in Switzerland, had meant well with me and given me immediately the longest (177 cm in length) with, so short turns were immediately once off the table, now it excites me retrospectively to know how the shorter models behave. The slats already stand out visually in the cable car, long, wide, large, what should I think of it, especially when all the other skiers are struggling with the ordinary carvers and all-mountain skis. Well, I'm curious.

It's glorious weather on the Rothorn in Lenzerheide, the best weather for a ski test of a freeride ski, but I have to disappoint everyone right away, I'm not going to try the killer slopes from the summit that support crazy freeriders down. No, the Pinnacle 85 is the latest and narrowest model of the Pinnacle freeride line, with 85 mm center width, and because of its mass it is a real competitor for all-mountain and piste skis.

Out of the mountain station, the skis slammed flat on the snow, the boots locked in place and it "rolls" right off and the first three turns go unexpectedly round, although the bar is longer than my usual skis and I'm still a bit stiff in the hips. After the first steeper short section, a wide carpet of slopes opens up. So, dash down two shorter turns, pick up speed and then onto the wide, flatter part. Here I put the ski just a little on the side and wow, it pulls off right away, that's ringing, it flies over the slope as if by itself, doesn't it have any edges? And how fast it is and how smoothly it runs.

As usual in recent years on the Rothorn, there is often soft snow on the slope especially towards the edge of the slope and here the Pinnacle 85 shows itself to be a real winner. You love to glide with it through some depth, because the ski just floats over it, no effort, not the slightest approach that the ski could get stuck, you almost feel like in heaven. The gliding, floating feeling that the ski offers me, I do not really know from all-mountain ski so. Responsible for this in particular its wide shovel, which is also rocked. Skiing is easier and more fun, I have the feeling that I'm skiing much better than usual. Especially on wide and long sections you can surf or carve fast and cool.

The ski is very strong when swinging out, especially in powdery snow. It feels like being lifted out of the snow from behind, super cool! It excites me more and more to try deeper passages and wherever I start my attempts, as long as I am fit and my muscles are not exhausted, I dance over the snow as if it were nothing. With all-mountain skis, I sometimes struggle through deeper passages or even avoid them because, especially on the outswing, there's a risk of getting stuck in the snow if you don't give it enough pressure. There's no such thing with the Pinnacle 85, it simply surfs away the soft snow when available and with its 85 mm it is still absolutely piste-oriented. Admittedly, when it gets very hard - you won't find icy spots on the Lenzerheide with so much snow anyway - then a classic carver certainly holds up better no question, but that's really not a problem and already not an argument against the Pinnacle 85. When it then goes into the real deep snow, the ski still keeps up, but here you need not only a good ski, but also corresponding skill and experience, so I'm not exaggerating as an inexperienced deep snow skier today. In addition, I would certainly choose a wider model from the series for deep snow skiing, such as the Pinnacle 95 with 95 mm center width.

When I arrive at the middle station, I am gobsmacked and really happy. The ski has really surprised and convinced me. The ski is quiet, grips well and floats over softer passages only so away, there are no more obstacles. It's not the ski, it's your skiing ability if it doesn't go the way you want. Dear Felix also gave me an iKonic 84, which I also tested, I know such all-mountain skis well, but if I had to choose, I would choose the Pinnacle after the ride. Once you have discarded the inhibition to try this freeride ski for the slopes, especially if it is created by the masses for the slopes, then you do not want to give it away afterwards, you feel really happy with the part and you clearly have more fun! The part conjures a grin on your face. Thank you K2, that you always conjure us such fun makers for the slopes, so skiing becomes a real, almost infinite pleasure. If you are not looking for carvers, racing skis or other types of icebreakers, I must recommend a narrower Pinnacle - 85 or 88 mm. You will see, you will have real fun!