Kästle vs Stöckli

On-site at Mt. Norquay / Ski Big 3, Mike and JF ramble on about what they believe differentiates Kästle Skis (in particular the ZX115 and the MX98 from what they feel is their main competitor: Luxury Swiss ski maker Stockli.
Note that we're skiing on the 22/23 graphic. The 23/24 version is unchanged but for cosmetics.

[@luclachaine4022]

I love Mike goggles...

[@michaelaronson5507]

Thanks. One of my faves. Classic downhill Carrera with a Red Kimic lens good for all conditions.

[@Bushwacked487]

Glad to see you guys posting again!

[@SkiandBikeMagazine]

Thank you, appreciate the comment. More to come!

[@chrisgravel7157]

As a previous owner of several MX skis (78, 83, 98, 99) and FX, BMX and one ZX who has also done 100K vert on Laser SC and AX I completely agree with your assesment. Expecially with the MX98 and MX line. They are asbolutely spectacular skis with exactly what you describe - better snow feel, more HP and more high strung. I think some might acheive the same or higher performance from a Stockli becuase their easier and less demanding to ski but if your level 8 up skier and fit I would take the Kastle everytime. Far more rewarding and exciting to ski. Love to try the ZX115, I demo'd the ZX108 and was blown away with the grip, snow feel and response but it was the first production run and I think they have added more rocker and splay which it frankly needed as it had nothing on an FX106 in terms of playfulness. Oh speaking of FX106 man oh man does that think carve for a mid 100s sk!

[@SkiandBikeMagazine]

You clearly know your stuff! Thanks for the input, really appreciate it.

[@tonyg3091]

115,106,108….Stockli doesn’t make such ski. What ski Kastle make that can compete with WRT Pro, Laser GS and Laser FIS SL? I am not interested in fat ski.

[@chrisgravel7157]

@tonyg3091 have you looked at their current catalog? RX12, RX11, Rx12 GS masters and full fis line? I would happily own a laser sx, SC the Ax is great but too mellow and soft for really high speeds. I no longer coach and my firm snow weapon is a Head supershape speed. Very similar to the lasers that you can back off or drive them as hard as you want.

[@tonyg3091]

@@chrisgravel7157 None of which as good as the Stocklis I mentioned. The only Kastle ski I would like to have is the MX 74. Too bad they don’t make them anymore. Drive a Supershape ski as fast as I want? 😂😂 All the Supershape skis are meh and ain’t got nothing on the real Head ski-the Rebels. Now those are truly nice.

[@carterfan80]

​@tonyg3091 those mx 74s were awesome. Wish I still had mine.

[@michaelaronson5507]

Kastle in my opinion has brought excellence in performance once again to those skiers who want to get the most out of their skis. Fast as ever!

[@michalnovak1661]

I just tested several skis among them mx75, it just gives so much grip and confidence to a good skier. But agree, that to unleash its potential and fully enjoy them one must have the power and skills, then its pure joy.

[@SkiandBikeMagazine]

Well said

[@dinukaufmann4487]

We don't just eat fondue and chocolate😂 best regards from Switzerland

[@SkiandBikeMagazine]

Hi There, Switzerland! HAHAHAHA... Of course all you do is eat chocolate and fondue!

[@gustavogiacominpinho3987]

Completely irrelevant to the discussion, but I have the exact same jacket (Scott Vertic 3) in the same colour hahaha; it's a great jacket.

[@darinsmith2458]

I used to ski race.. I am old school where I used to race straight skis and my last pair of skis that I bought when I was racing was a pair of shaped skis.. Even though with those pair of skis all I needed to do to turn them was to flex my toes I still believe more about the skier input than the ski output.. I own a pair of 2016 Stormrider 88s and a pair of 2019 Stormrider 105s.. I had a pair of 2021 Kastle HP FX 96 which I traded for 2023 Enforcer Free 104.. My Kastle were way too reactive for me.. Somehow I get the feeling that DPS Alchemist or Pagoda would be too reactive as well.. I get what you guys are saying but my skiing style is where the ski needs to be stable and not reactive.. Saying that I skied with a couple guys that were on Kastle.. I think one was on the MX 98 and the other was on the HP FX 106 or 108 (not sure-the green ones).. those guys could haul @$$ on those things.. From most of the feedback I hear about the 96 was not good.. I think when it went back to metal it got good again..

[@SkiandBikeMagazine]

Thanks for the input there, always great to read different points of view. Indeed, the FX96 requires a steady, accomplished pilot to get the most out of it. Otherwise it IS a bit of a handfull.

[@darinsmith2458]

@@SkiandBikeMagazine I think the metal would help..

[@samtym5521]

Love you guys and gals, but I’ve never heard Ski Essentials knock you! Not nice!!

[@SkiandBikeMagazine]

Good point, there's an inside joke between Mike and I there. They are a great source of info.