All Photos: Courtesy of K2 Skis | Skier: Karl Fostvedt
You’d be hard-pressed to explain trendy 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 subject.
Loopy Karl, as he’s recognized, has earned his rank amongst each core and mainstream freeski audiences because of a large number of accomplishments. He’s had unimaginable segments in big motion pictures like Matchstick Manufacturing’s “The Stomping Grounds,” 1st Place finishes at Kings and Queens of Corbett’s, produced his personal brief movie collection known as “Brap Ski,” and the record goes on and on. Honestly, 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 spotlight have constructed a skier and human that’s as uncommon and gratifying as any.
His dedication and love for snowboarding culminate in many alternative 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 option to ski it. It may be seen in his ardour for avalanche schooling, as he pours hours upon hours into getting ready for the worst whereas learning with one of the best. And now, it may be seen within the Reckoner KF 114, his new professional mannequin with K2 Skis. This mission has been a very long time coming. In reality, Fostvedt instructed us that the brainstorming began twenty years in the past. After testing the Reckoner KF on the coveted FREESKIER Gear Lab, we are able to confidently say that it’s one of many best pow-crushing, billow-bashing, switch-landing skis in the marketplace. We sat down with Fostvedt to select his mind in regards to 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 once 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 bought them a couple of month earlier than the season began, put them on the wall, and stared at them on daily basis. That yr, I made it my objective to develop up and symbolize K2. They’d 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 assist you to in creating this ski?
It was nice to work with [ON3P] and construct out a professional mannequin line, the Kartel collection. That have gave me understanding of what goes into making a ski; the way to streamline the method, study what adjustments are simpler and which of them are harder. I feel 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 good condition is vital 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.
After I bought picked up by K2, I used to be launched to the ARC (Superior Useful resource Collective), which was a recreation changer. I bought along with Sean [Fearron] and Jed [Yeiser] who each design skis with K2, and did my greatest to discover ways to converse their language. It’s all the time nice to spend time with and study from them. There’s a lot that goes into making the proper ski, and I can’t consider my job is to exit and check new prototype skis for probably the most OG model in snowboarding. I really like having the ability to check out so many alternative 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 completely different prototypes did you undergo to get to this remaining 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 possibly 10 to twenty days on every. I’m undecided what number of it was in complete, but it surely was lots. As soon as we bought the ski near its remaining model, we did 5 extra rounds of prototypes. We labeled them J1 by way of 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 in regards to 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 bought skied out and become 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 might load up a limitless quantity of vitality into the ski and it will feed it proper again to you.
There’s quite a 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 total wall-to-wall sheet of carbon fiber. It simply shreds, and provides a lot pop with out including quite a lot of weight. I adore it. I’d say the opposite factor that stands out is the mushy flex profile. I like to match it to skateboarding, the place quite a lot of one of the best skate boarders on the market have loopy unfastened vehicles. This ski is like that. Smooth skis could be simpler to journey for people who find themselves much less skilled, which is nice, however the softness may also be a terrific instrument for a sophisticated rider as soon as you discover the steadiness level.
That echoes a quote I noticed from [K2 Designer] Sean Fearon. He mentioned, “Karl wished a trampoline and that was one of the best ways we may give him one — a mushy flex sample and a boatload of carbon.”
[laughs] Precisely, that was 100% the thought. An excellent ski is completely subjective, however nowadays I search for a ski that has rocker profile, is gentle and has a energetic core.
The place do you suppose the Reckoner KF actually shines?
Wherever with jumps and pillows. You probably have a backcountry or resort run you need to do methods on, that is the ski. You will 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 mentioned you two had a blast filming in Idaho. Who’re a couple of different skiers you’d prefer to collaborate with sooner or later?
Jake [Hopfinger] is a lifesaver. Every part was going to shit proper earlier than he confirmed up. He helped me tow my truck down south, preserve my spirits alive and keep constructive despite the fact that there wasn’t a lot snow on the bottom and circumstances 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 gifted rippers on the market, however for now, I need to preserve 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 all the time thrilling to be round.
Most individuals see your impeccable snowboarding clearly, however your dedication to avalanche schooling and snow security can also be world-class. As somebody who wears many hats in that world, from pupil to skilled, what have you ever discovered that you simply’d need to share with others?
It’s wonderful what number of assets can be found now in that subject, and I simply hope to see extra riders profiting from them. I’ve finished most of my studying by way of the American Avalanche Institute, they usually’ve bought some improbable, welcoming of us over there. Folks can have one of the best days of their lives within the backcountry, and folks may have the worst, most tragic days of their lives. My greatest concern is shedding a cherished one in an accident on the market. I need to convey 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 know is that when you’re going to be a lifer on this recreation and you consider all of the dangers and potential methods one thing may go incorrect, it’s not an ‘if’, it’s a ‘when’. I by no means need to be in a scenario 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 by way of The American Avalanche Institute have performed an enormous position in how I put together for snowboarding within the backcountry.
I’ve a terrific appreciation for the dangers on the market. There are occasions once I really feel prefer it’s not even price 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 quite a lot of time digging pits, and learning. It may be intimidating if you consider the entire, however to only go one piece at a time makes it much more digestible.
A part of that security equation is making certain 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 level. For me, all of it goes again to a mentor of mine Bruce Tremper who wrote the ebook ‘Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain.’ He mentions an issue in motion sports activities, that the movies are inclined to solely present the unconventional motion facet of issues and it’s uncommon for motion pictures to point out 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 schooling. Consciousness has actually improved since my days as a grom, however we are able to all the time 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 secure. I don’t need to inform anybody the way to reside their life, however when you’re on the market and different persons are relying on you, I actually suppose you’ve a accountability to do one of the best that you may to absorb data and be ready.
Will we ever see Loopy Karl in a full-time schooling or information position?
I all the time need to go away 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 feel may be very attainable, then I positively see that as an possibility. I don’t suppose a full-time position will probably be occurring quickly, although. I nonetheless have a couple of segments I’d prefer to make and some extra skis to construct!
