Founded back in the early 60s by two ski-mad brothers from just outside of Seattle, K2 has a long history of innovation in hardware design. They were one of the first companies to start using fibreglass in their skis, which made them significantly lighter than the wood and metal models common at the time.

More recently, they were one of the brands that pioneered the use of rocker profiles (otherwise known as reverse camber) in ski design with their Pontoon skis, first launched in 2006. This year’s K2 range includes a whole host of impressive freeride skis, including the legendary Seth Morrison’s Pinnacle 118 pro model. But for us the Pinnacle 105 is the pick of the bunch.

“At the core of the Pinnacle 105s lie two revolutionary technologies which work in tandem to make them lighter and easier to handle.”

It’s a bit more of an all-rounder than its bigger brother, with dimensions that make it slightly easier to maneuver when you’re on the piste, or tackling tight tree runs. But make no mistake, this is still very much a freeride ski – designed to help you float in the deepest of pow.

The skis feature K2’s ‘all-terrain rocker’ profile, which combines camber under the feet with rocker at the tip. The elevated nose helps you keep your tips up in powder, making it easier to ski in the deep stuff. The camber under the bindings meanwhile means that the Pinnacle 105s still feel snappy and responsive on piste, and helps them hold an edge well when it’s icy.

Looking at the skis from above you’ll notice the slightly tapered shape of both the tip and the tail. The tapered tips shift the widest part of the ski back from the nose, making it easier to stay afloat in soft snow. The thinner tail meanwhile aids control as you power out of turns.