K2

Last year there was already an article about the features of a splitboard boot compared to a normal snowboard soft boot. There are different lacing systems for both types and also combinations of the different systems. You can find out what the differences are and which system is right for you here.

This week's highlights: Max Palm's new short film, which impresses with its versatility and cinematic style. The K2 team trip to Japan takes us to endless powder slopes and stylish park moments. And the Five Blind Mice venture into the absolute wilderness while snow camping in Alaska - six days, two tents, pure thirst for adventure. Finally, the recap of the Jossi Wells Invitational is also out and brings the incomparable spirit of the park directly to the screens

Some beginners may be asking themselves: Do I really need new boots in addition to a spliboard, bindings, poles and skins to start touring? The answer to this question is clear: No! But what if the boots are already a few years old and a new purchase is due anyway, is it worth buying special (soft) boots, even if normal days in the resort are on the list alongside ski tours? Here too, the answer is clear: Yes!

Christmas and New Year are over - a wonderful time with family and friends is behind us, and there's still time for a few ski films in between. I hope most of you have had a good start into 2025 - on skis or boards - and feel like getting some inspiration for the coming week.

Since this winter, the Full Tillt Boot can be found with K2. Don't worry, it's not swallowed and gone, it's just getting a new name and has been reworked in collaboration with Tom Wallisch.

ISPO, an interesting but also very exhausting trade fair, has been postponed from January to autumn. However, we at PowderGuide are still doing our best to provide you with information about the material for the upcoming season.

Climbing skins allow us to hike up the mountains on skis. For a carefree touring experience, the skins should offer glide and grip. Hybrid climbing skins made of mohair and nylon are robust, water-repellent and make it more difficult for studs to form. The skins from K2 combine precisely these properties and cannot be broken.

The Covid season was a successful one for splitboard manufacturers, that much can be said for this winter. Due to the lifts being closed in many places, the run on splitboards was large and sustained. As a result, Amplid, for example, sold its splits like hot cakes and another production series has been added. Our partner store splitboards.eu also reports a similar run

As expected, there was little news presented at this year's online ISPO and at individual product presentations by manufacturers. Many retailers still have stock from 2020, which is why some model ranges are carry-overs for the coming season. This mainly affects the downhill-oriented models.

I was delighted when I received a replacement for my already very old ski poles from our partner K2. But I couldn't be satisfied with that! My long-serving poles needed to find a new home.

Our partners have worked hard again this year to launch new products, innovations and real hits for the 2020/2021 season. They have been working on designs, colors, functions and materials. One very clear trend is to keep the ecological footprint as small as possible. We find this very pleasing and hope that it is not just a short-term trend, but will remain firmly anchored in the production chain in the future.

The Mindbender 116c is the widest ski in the K2 Mindbender series and, according to the manufacturer, is nothing less than "the ultimate big-mountain powder ski". Reason enough for us to have two testers scrutinise the ski in two lengths. In our gear review, you can find out how the innovative combination of carbon fibre mesh and wood core built into the ski has proven itself in practice.