[Q&A] Karl Fostvedt on New K2 Professional Mannequin and Snow Security

All Photographs: Courtesy of K2 Skis | Skier: Karl Fostvedt

You’d be hard-pressed to explain fashionable freeskiing with out together with Karl Fostvedt. The Idaho-raised, multi-talented freeride skier is without doubt one of the most profitable to ever placed on a pair of planks, and his new professional mannequin ski with K2 is a testomony to his creativity and excellence within the area.

Loopy Karl, as he’s identified, has earned his rank amongst each core and mainstream freeski audiences due to a large number of accomplishments. He’s had unimaginable segments in big films like Matchstick Manufacturing’s “The Stomping Grounds,” 1st Place finishes at Kings and Queens of Corbett’s, produced his personal quick movie sequence referred to as “Brap Ski,” and the checklist goes on and on. In truth, it isn’t the movies or awards that set Fostvedt aside; it’s his dedication to the craft in each kind. He’s been a mainstay within the tradition for over a decade, and people years of exhausting work and a focus have constructed a skier and human that’s as uncommon and pleasurable as any.

His dedication and love for snowboarding culminate in many various outcomes. It may be seen in his fluid model, as he effortlessly throws large Cork 7’s right into a bewildering pillow line, making it look as if there was no different approach to ski it. It may be seen in his ardour for avalanche training, as he pours hours upon hours into getting ready for the worst whereas finding out with the very best. And now, it may be seen within the Reckoner KF 114, his new professional mannequin with K2 Skis. This challenge has been a very long time coming. The truth is, Fostvedt informed us that the brainstorming began twenty years in the past. After testing the Reckoner KF on the coveted FREESKIER Gear Lab, we will confidently say that it’s one of many best pow-crushing, billow-bashing, switch-landing skis available on the market. We sat down with Fostvedt to choose his mind concerning the ins and outs of this ski, and listen to the place the inspiration got here from, what it means to him, how he hopes to proceed to encourage backcountry snowboarding and security, and extra.

K2 Reckoner KF 114 Particulars

Key Options: Spectral Braid, Triaxial Braided Core, Uni-Directional Flax, Carbon Enhance, Twin Tech Sidewalls, Bio Resin

Sizes (cm): 172, 177, 184, 191

Dimensions (mm): 137 – 114 – 134

Rocker: Powder Twin Rocker

Turning radius: 23 meters @ 184 cm

Thanks for speaking, Karl. Let’s begin from the bottom up. What was the start means of constructing the Reckoner KF 114?

I’d say it began 20 years in the past after I put a pair of K2 Excessive’s on my wall. It was one of many first brand-new pairs of twin-tip skis I’d ever had. I received them a few month earlier than the season began, put them on the wall, and stared at them each day. That yr, I made it my aim to develop up and characterize K2. That they had probably the most insane professional fashions popping out at the moment with The Seth Pistol and The Kung Fujas [skis] These skiers and people skis have been big inspirations.

Your first professional mannequin was with ON3P round 10 years in the past. How did that have provide help to in creating this ski? 

It was nice to work with [ON3P] and construct out a professional mannequin line, the Kartel sequence. That have gave me a superb understanding of what goes into making a ski; learn how to streamline the method, study what adjustments are simpler and which of them are harder. I believe probably the most priceless piece I discovered so far as the development goes was the significance of dialing within the form and rocker early. Discovering a fine condition is essential for all the things else within the ski. For my model of driving, I would like a ski with tons of rocker in each the ideas and tails. Fortunate for me, K2 is the King of Rocker.

Once I received picked up by K2, I used to be launched to the ARC (Superior Useful resource Collective), which was a recreation changer. I received along with Sean [Fearron] and Jed [Yeiser] who each design skis with K2, and did my finest to discover ways to communicate their language. It’s at all times nice to spend time with and study from them. There’s a lot that goes into making the proper ski, and I can’t imagine my job is to exit and take a look at new prototype skis for probably the most OG model in snowboarding. I like with the ability to take a look at out so many various shapes and core profiles, and actually hone in on what makes a ski carry out magically. I can’t thank the crew on the ARC sufficient. They’ve embraced my model of snowboarding and let me go all-out with a one-of-a-kind buttery, bouncy, trampoline of a pow ski.  

What number of totally different prototypes did you undergo to get to this ultimate model? 

Oh man, we experimented with tons of various core varieties and layouts. [Laughs] That each one ended up with me having so many [prototype] skis sitting round in my storage, placing perhaps 10 to twenty days on every. I’m undecided what number of it was in whole, nevertheless it was so much. As soon as we received the ski near its ultimate model, we did 5 extra rounds of prototypes. We labeled them J1 via J5, with J1 being the softest and bounciest, and J5 being the heaviest and stiffest. We virtually went with one of many stiffer variations, however there was one thing particular concerning the J2 that made it the clear winner.

My first time making an attempt the J2’s, I used to be snowboarding the bowls in Solar Valley on a powder day. Because the pow received skied out and became crud, these skis began to shine. Each little bump or ripple within the snow was an opportunity to get airborne. The skis felt like they have been double-bouncing me into the air off every hit. It felt like you possibly can load up a limitless quantity of vitality into the ski and it might feed it proper again to you.

There’s a whole lot of tech on this factor, from K2’s signature Spectral Braid to the fiberglass laminate. What’s your favourite piece contained in the ski and what does it ship? 

To me, what makes it such a cheat code of a ski is the complete wall-to-wall sheet of carbon fiber. It simply shreds, and provides a lot pop with out including a whole lot of weight. I find it irresistible. I’d say the opposite factor that stands out is the gentle flex profile. I like to match it to skateboarding, the place a whole lot of the very best skate boarders on the market have loopy unfastened vans. This ski is like that. Delicate skis might be simpler to experience for people who find themselves much less skilled, which is nice, however the softness may also be an awesome device for a complicated rider as soon as you discover the stability level.

That echoes a quote I noticed from [K2 Designer] Sean Fearon. He stated, “Karl needed a trampoline and that was one of the best ways we may give him one — a gentle flex sample and a boatload of carbon.” 

[laughs] Precisely, that was 100% the thought. ski is completely subjective, however today I search for a ski that has a superb rocker profile, is gentle and has a energetic core.

The place do you assume the Reckoner KF really shines? 

Wherever with jumps and pillows. You probably have a backcountry or resort run you wish to do methods on, that is the ski. You may get so inventive with it. It’s made for bouncing, buttering and touchdown change in pow. I introduced so many visions to life with this factor and I’m positive different skiers will too.

After speaking with Jake Hopfinger lately, he stated you two had a blast filming in Idaho. Who’re just a few different skiers you’d wish to collaborate with sooner or later? 

Jake [Hopfinger] is a lifesaver. All the things was going to shit proper earlier than he confirmed up. He helped me tow my truck down south, maintain my spirits alive and keep constructive regardless that there wasn’t a lot snow on the bottom and situations have been sketchy. 

I’d like to work with him and Parkin [Costain] once more. They’re so nice to be round within the backcountry. There are such a lot of proficient rippers on the market, however for now, I wish to maintain working with our Brap Ski crew – Thayne Wealthy, McRae Williams, Toby and Addie Rafford, Wing Tai Barrymore, and Collin Collins. It’s a large unfold of ages and types which makes the entire crew enjoyable and at all times thrilling to be round.

Most individuals see your impeccable snowboarding clearly, however your dedication to avalanche training and snow security can be world-class. As somebody who wears many hats in that world, from scholar to skilled, what have you ever discovered that you simply’d wish to share with others?

It’s wonderful what number of assets can be found now in that area, and I simply hope to see extra riders making the most of them. I’ve carried out most of my studying via the American Avalanche Institute, they usually’ve received some incredible, welcoming people over there. Individuals can have the very best days of their lives within the backcountry, and folks may also have the worst, most tragic days of their lives. My largest concern is dropping a cherished one in an accident on the market. I wish to deliver folks out into the backcountry and know I’ve the abilities to assist forestall an accident or help in a single if it involves that.

The factor I’ve come to grasp is that in case you’re going to be a lifer on this recreation and you consider all of the dangers and potential methods one thing may go fallacious, it’s not an ‘if’, it’s a ‘when’. I by no means wish to be in a state of affairs the place I’m round or concerned in an accident within the backcountry and I stroll away from it feeling like I used to be ill-prepared. Preparation is the important thing to having good days within the backcountry. For me, programs via The American Avalanche Institute have performed an enormous position in how I put together for snowboarding within the backcountry. 

I’ve an awesome appreciation for the dangers on the market. There are occasions after I really feel prefer it’s not even value it, however I do know that I get a lot success out of those experiences within the backcountry and that I may by no means stroll away from it. I have to do all the things I can to be ready for when shit hits the fan and to study as a lot as I can to forestall these incidents from occurring within the first place. All that begins with simply understanding the snowpack, spending a whole lot of time digging pits, and finding out. It may be intimidating if you consider the entire, however to simply go one piece at a time makes it much more digestible. 

A part of that security equation is guaranteeing that others are additionally ready. How do you look to encourage folks to study with out making an attempt to lecture or impose?

Yeah, that’s a superb level. For me, all of it goes again to a mentor of mine Bruce Tremper who wrote the e-book ‘Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain.’ He mentions an issue in motion sports activities, that the movies are likely to solely present the novel motion aspect of issues and it’s uncommon for films to indicate the behind-the-scenes parts of avalanche consciousness and security protocols. He makes a plea for folks within the spotlights of those sports activities to advertise avalanche and snow security training. Consciousness has actually improved since my days as a grom, however we will at all times do higher.

Now that I’m on this place of being an expert athlete and filmmaker, I’ve the proper alternative to proceed pushing Bruce’s message and encourage others to get on the market and be protected. I don’t wish to inform anybody learn how to dwell their life, however in case you’re on the market and different individuals are relying on you, I actually assume you’ve gotten a duty to do the very best which you could to take in data and be ready. 

Will we ever see Loopy Karl in a full-time training or information position? 

I at all times wish to depart that door open. I don’t actually have a long-term plan with regards to snowboarding or filmmaking, so [snow safety] is actually a profession path that has caught my curiosity. If I proceed to really feel a calling there, which I believe may be very doable, then I positively see that as an possibility. I don’t assume a full-time position will probably be occurring quickly, although. I nonetheless have just a few segments I’d wish to make and some extra skis to construct!