Created for those who want to make fast turns on corduroy but take to the backcountry whenever the runs are overrun by the masses, the all-mountain K2 Apache Crossfire is a performance all-mountain ski that carves better than most utility all-mountain designs that try to do everything. It's a sophisticated performance design that's smooth and stable on groomed runs and busted crud. The Apache Crossfire is a great design for guys who mix GS terrain with short and sweet slalom turns. K2 used a Titan metal laminate construction that incorporates perforated titanium sheet over a light and lively aspen and fir core. When mixing first tracks with established inbound runs, K2's Mod Technology dampens vibration and minimizes ski chatter at speed. K2 compares Mod Technology to shock absorbers in an off-road car. It's an "elastomeric secondary core" that's independent of the wood core that dampens vibrations without taking anything away from the overall ski flex. Combine this with the weighted Mod Monic on the ski and you'll find that the Crossfire has excellent contact with the snow and crud, so you are more apt to initiate turns exactly where you need to most. The integrated Marker M1 binding takes the guesswork out of finding a perfect match for the Crossfire. It's similar to Marker's 12.0 binding series, but the binding interface is specifically customized for K2 skis. Marker imbedded titanium hubs in the binding core beneath your foot and opted for a lightweight composite construction. The result is a better balanced and centered fixture point on the ski with fewer moving parts that could potentially diminish powder transfer to the ski edges. What we like is how Marker made the heel and toe spacers 30% wider than other rail-mounted ski bindings to extend the binding contact points and increasing the leverage along the edges (that means that you enjoy more power while turning--even if you're exerting the same effort that you would on other skis). Whether you're an expert skier looking for a fast and smooth all-mountain ride, or an aggressive intermediate seeking a jump up in performance, the Apache Crossfire delivers on all counts.