Abstract High-spin states in 182W have been studied using the 176Yb(13C,α3n) reaction at a beam energy of 65 MeV. The ground state band is found to backbend clearly at h ω ≈ 0.38 MeV and to gain more than 6 units of angular momentum. In addition, the Kπ = 10+ band is observed to decay into the g.s.b. 16+ state where the yrast sequence backbends. Three-band mixing calculations between the g-, s- and Kπ = 10+ bands have been performed to interpret the backbend. Comparison of the experimental gK factors with predictions confirms configuration assignments and allows new assignments for some of the bands. The level scheme of high-K four-quasiparticle states recently reported is corrected, and the intrinsic structures are discussed in more detail.