The new K2's are all nice but with so many good options made in the US why not give one a try? Just my two cents. I feel like because skiing is such a luxury endeavor I might as well make some effort to keep my money local rather than just sending it abroad for a bargain. It's really one of the few areas where local manufacturing is pretty competitive. If not US made, the Elan's are EU produced and the finish on them is incredible, and they're also a bargain.
All of the new models are so great, you're going to love whatever you pick regardless.
Just found some k2 backups 2013 closeout at $159. Might be just the ticket. Less underfoot than advice suggests but wouldn't 84 under foot be enough for a dedicated resort ski.
So I pulled the trigger on the k2 backups. I was able to get them for $149! I will be mounting with a pair of voile crb. Do you guys like boot center on alpine center?