Been using the K2 SideStash this winter - So I guess its time for a full review! Hopefully someone finds this useful. Have always got good info from Tech Talk. So time to put a little back...
About Me...
32 year male, 6"2, prefers to ski off piste when ever possible. Not into huge hucks. Like skiing all types of snow conditions, ideally powder, but ice, crusty mank, moguls are a challenge. Does that make me an aggressive skier like everyone on TGR ;).
Other Skis I Like
Movement, Volkl, Dynastar
Background...
In 2008 I bought a K2 Coomba. At that time it changed my perception that a 100mm+ ski could be used a daily driver in any snow condition. I liked the original Coomba alot, a very versatile ski...
When it came to a replacement I was looking for something similar - a versatile and usable 100m wide ski that could be used as a typical European quiver of one over large vertical descents. So maybe a little powder up top (at 3000m), some icy hardpack in the middle (2200m) and moguls, crud or piste at the bottom (1600m). Other skis that I seriously considered were the Faction Alias, Movement Jackal and Coreupt Coirier.
In the past I have tried the Dyanstar XXL / Movement Goliath - and whilst i thought they were great in good conditions and open spaces found them a little much / too stiff for shorter turns and tree skiing. Plus the stiffer tips on these skis really need to be driven through, instead of over, the snow sometimes.
K2 Side Stash Tech Specs...
From K2 web site.
http://k2skis.com/skis/adventure/sidestash
Performance: Variable Snow 20%; Soft Snow 80%
Sizes: 167, 174, 181, 188
Radius: 23m@174
Construction: Metal Laminate Hybritech sidewall
Core: Aspen/Paulownia
Weight: 2070g@ 174
Dimensions - 139/108/127
K2 Sidestash vs. Coomba
This Sidestash has same shape as the Coomba - but 6mm width has been added at tip, tail and underfoot. So what was 102mm under foot becomes 108mm... There is also the addition of what K2 call all terrain rocker in the nose. Unlike the Coomba there is now a proper sidewall, and the ski feels a lot stiffer and generally more substantial probably due to the metal laminate sheet.
The Coomba (wrongly) got called a noodle because the soft tip flapped at speed - when in fact the softer flex is exactly what made the Coomba usable in different turns radius or types of snow - you just had to stand centered on them and accept the flappy tip.
K2 Sidestash Review
In the last month I have had this ski out in all different snow conditions - and it has excelled in all of them. In fact I would go so far to say that its noticeably better than the Coomba for everything... apart from weight.
Its no surprise that the Sidestash excels in deep powder or crud - because that is what it is designed for. The flat tail is fantastic and releases from deeps turns so easily smoothly and the subtle rocker really helps in even the deepest crud or breakable crust. For a powder / back-country ski I would never go back to a full twin-tip - though it seems that many other manufacturers still think all mountain skis must have a twin...
The main surprise for me was how well this ski performs on hard icy snow, moguls, or even pistes. Even at slow speeds or short radius turns it feels amazingly nimble. I have to admit that I was worried that the addition of rocker would reduce the effective edge and decrease hard snow performance. However I was wrong.... K2 really have nailed the concept of rocker. Even though I was very skeptical the K2 marketing blurb (i.e ''rocker is not just for powder'') is indeed correct. Have never skied something 105mm+ wide that is also so good in shorter radius turns, trees, bumps or pisten carven.
I am 6"2 and bought them in a 188cm length, however this is actually exactly the same size as a 194cm XXL !? (Apparently K2 measure effective edge length rather then ski length before its pressed ?). Unless your getting this ski specifically for touring I would go for longer length - don't be scared, as whilst being a fairly burly ski its also easy to handle. Sounds like a contradiction I know - but its true.
My only criticism would be that the lime green graphics don't really float my boat... But they are growing on me - at least there arent any hell-bent monsters or bondage graphics! (FWIW my favourite K2 graphics are the simple classic ones that hark back to the Glen Plake and Blizzard of Aahs era :yourock: ).
Summary
If you dont need a twin tip to go backwards, and mainly ski off-piste, then this ski should be on your shopping list. Mount them with Dukes or Barons and you may even have the perfect mythical ''euro-quiver of one'' ?
Sidestash is so good on hard snow that I would question why anyone genuinely interested in lift assisted off-piste skiing would buy the HardSide...
A good friend put dynafits on a pair of Sidestash this year - and is also very happy (though I still reckon the Coomback is a better dedicated touring option due to the lighter weight).
For the Euros Sportconrad.com have a smoking deal on them.
The 09 and 10 models are apparently the same apart from the top sheet.
Photos
Sidestash at Mottec bus stop in the Val D'Annivers - Switzerland.
http://stk.tetongravity.com/forums/a...1&d=1294688337
Raping some powder fields in Grimentz. (SS tracks on right :wink: )
http://stk.tetongravity.com/forums/a...5&d=1294689015
Sidestash on some water ice / boiler plate, Glenshee - Scotland.
http://www.haggistrap.co.uk/photostrs/garbhchoire/8.jpg
