K2 Merlin VI

Pros: Fast, perfect for GS, fast, stiff, fast, piezo dampening, and fast.
Cons: May be too fast for some.

Let me put it bluntly, these skis kick a** and chew bubble gum. And they’re all out of bubble gum.

The Beginning

I’d been skiing on an old pair of K2’s for a long time. They’ve always treated me right and I didn’t really...

Pros: Stability, Electronic Dampening System, Versatility
Cons: Can get thrown in crud

The K2 Merlin VI is one of the best skis I have ever skied on. They are very quick, stable, and adapt well to different snow conditions. I would say that this ski is one of the best for expert skiers in the east. From the race course to the mogul field,...

Pros: Turning abality, Look
Cons: not much

I have skied on K2s for the better part of my life and every pair of skies that i buy, the get better and better. They are also a lot of fun to ski on and carving a turn on any snow condition is very easy and comes with little effort. The vibration...

Pros: insanely fast
Cons: insanely fast

I tried the Merlin VIs last year and loved them. You can go incredibly fast and they feel as solid as a rock. These are really race skies. Their stability is due to their stiffness and K2s special vibration dampening technology.

As much as I...

Pros: Speed, stability, and versatility
Cons: none

I purchased my Merlin VIs in March of 99. I had been skiing TNCs for about 7 years, and was looking for a ski with the same stability at high speeds, but more versatile. I demoed the Volkl P30 RC, K2 Merlin VI, and the Olin Beta Carver. The Olins were...

Pros: Stable, forgiving, Great hold and yea, they're fast
Cons: Too stiff for bumps better at GS turns...Duh!

I read the reviews of K2s Merlin VI and almost got scared away. So many talk about their lightning speed. Yea, they are fast, but they are every bit as forgiving as the are fast. I was an advanced/intermidiate skier when I got my Merlins. These skis...

Pros: versatility, high-speed stability
Cons: sweet turner, but not as sweet as some others

This model may have been eclipsed by some newer ones, but it is a really nice design with a lot going for it still. I've skied it mainly here on the US east coast, but I've also used it in the Canadian Rockies (Banff, and Whistler/Blackcomb) and it...

Pros: First rate slalom performance on the hard stuff.
Cons: Not an all-mountain ski.

I had the chance to ski the Merlin VI at a Demo session in Eastern Canada. I was immediately impressed with their easy turn initiation, rock-solid edgehold, and energetic finish to each turn.

I found that these skis wanted to dance from side...