Backcountry magazine: "Redesigned last year with a more rounded tip and extended contact length, this early riser returns unchanged and greets powder days best. 'What a joyride in powder... A fun ski that smoothes out all the bumps...and helps you look good.' ... 'good in bad conditions; powers through junk.' 'Fun and snappy - a blast in bumps and powder.' ...But ...really hard snow causes the Dawn to fade."

Couloir: "Defying easy categorization K2's redesigned Dawn Patrol continues to please. Like an early morning adventure that keeps a smile plastered on your face all day long, these skis were a sensation with all of our testers. Earning high all-around ratings, the Dawn Patrol felt at home on groomers with snappy edge-to-edge transitions and solid tracking, was stiff enough to ride smoothly through crud, and floated through powder like a pink sunrise dream. It gets a new sidecut, but the Dawn Patrol retains a medium turning radius that was agreeable to all with a 'huge candy sweet spot.' 'Turnable, powerful, fun!' What's not to like? Certainly capable of its namesake adventure, the Dawn Patrol does weigh in on the heavier side of the comparably sized skis. Nonetheless, this extra heft may be just what the more aggressive girl needs to open up the throttle or drop cliffs with the boys. If a ski could be a Fem-bot, the Dawn Patrol would--deceptively pretty with underlying intentions to work the mountain over."

Off-Piste: "A nice light swing weight makes these skis very easy to bring around in deep snow with any mid or upper level plastic boot. Although capable at the resort, the Dawn Patrol scored consistently higher in soft snows."

Skiing magazine:
"With more surface "Big-mountain dimensions plus all-mountain versatility equals the latest rendition of the Dawn Patrol: It's full of life in bumps and trees and more forgiving than a lovesick ex-boyfriend in pow and mank. Gripes: Too flimsy for big-bowl ripping. Props: Downright playful in soft snow."