Summary: The Miss Baker is one of K2's new women's specific AT skis for the 07/08 season. Wider throughout than the Shuks Anne, this ski will shine in softer conditions and deep powder. It's light swing weight is complimented with a stiff Bioflex core providing a ski that' s a dream to hike in, and still provides performance for aggressive women skiers. Women just starting to get out in the backcountry will enjoy this ski for it's female specific construction and the multifaceted bonus of being lightweight--easier to hike in and easier to turn on the way down.
The Miss Baker has a lightweight almost glassy feel but was still incredibly stable on hard pack conditions at the testing area. We could tell that they would be conducive to touring with their featherweight quality and with all of the AT features, this is a great choice for aspiring guides and women who really like to tour. The Miss Baker is more ideal in a powder friendly environment like Utah or Canada, but will still hold an edge in firmer conditions. |
Our women's team was tired of having to ski on the men's skis for AT, so they developed the Miss Baker for winter touring and softer snow. They liked the consistent predictability of the progressive sidecut and longer less reactive tip. Two sheets of metal provide dampness, smoothness and stability unmatched in women's skis. Like all our women's skis it features the Bioflex core for increased dampness underfoot and a lighter swing weight for increased agility.
Conditions:
40% hard snow / 60% soft snow Sidecut:120-88-108/13.0
Weight: 8lbs/pair
Construction:Triaxial braided, Metal Laminate Bioflex core
All of 07/08 K2's AT skis feature a powder tip (less hooky), tip and tail holes for quick construction of a rescue sled, colorful graphics, progressive sidecut, skin clip arc, and straight tails. |
Skiing magazine: "The Miss Baker was snappy and light, without being flimsy. THe flex and turn shape are predicable and comfortable - there's no learning curve. And the big shovel popped up nicely in soft snow. 'The hostess with the mostess,' said one tester. Look for a damp feel and a sidecut that lets you feather turns in soft snow. Gripes: A bit sketchy at high speeds. Props: Responsive; great edge control on hardpack."
Backcountry magazine: "Oh Miss Baker, what's with you? The mo' hippy model in K2's new women-specific AT ski line - an industry first. Designed for short or medium tours in soft stuff, Miss Baker has the profile of the new Mt. Baker but with a lighter bioflex core combining three strategically placed densities of wood with metal laminates, and a softer, elongated powder tip. We did limited testing, with one tester applauding the graphics but finding it 'lightweight but lifeless.' But for one of our youngest testers, Miss Baker was not to be missed: 'My overall favorite ski. It was light, floated nicely, very comfortable in trees, open trails and varied snow.' Her only complaint was their tendency to chatter on hard snow." |
