KASTLE MX98 | 2024 SKI TEST

Kästle MX98: For "real" skiers.
Please like and subscribe, we'd sure appreciate it.
Special thanks to ‪@mtnorquay5430‬ and ‪@SkiBig3‬ for their invaluable assistance in making these ski test videos possible!
Please follow us on Instagram @skiandbikemag and online at www.skiandbikemag.com for articles, features, and ski and bike content.
(Skied on previous year's graphic, 2024 ski is unchanged)
The Kästle MX98 is a high-performance ski renowned for its strength, stability, and precision, making it one of the premier all-mountain front-side skis in the 100 mm width category. It is a piste-oriented ski that excels in holding tight to firm snow and conquering various conditions, from crud and mank to chopped and soft snow.
Intended Use:
The Kästle MX98 is designed for avid skiers seeking a powerful and precise skiing experience, ideal for carving turns and tackling all-mountain terrain.
Waist Width:
At 98mm underfoot, this ski is focused on providing a pure front-side/all-mountain skiing experience, offering stability and carving prowess.
Construction:
HOLLOWTECH 3.0 Technology:
A patented key technology unique to Kästle, HOLLOWTECH 3.0 involves removing unnecessary layers in the ski's front, resulting in a lighter ski with advantages such as increased dampness (up to 30%), enhanced stability, powerful edge-grip, precise steering, and reduced overall weight.
The new HOLLOWTECH 3.0 has a two-tier construction with an outer ring, further reducing weight and enhancing performance based on the ski's model and intended use.
Sandwich-Sidewall Construction:
Combines the durability of a SEMI-CAP with the classic build of a SANDWICH-SIDEWALL. This construction, where the topsheet extends to the ABS sidewall under the binding, provides enhanced performance and superior edge grip.
Woodcore:
Utilizes a woodcore made from poplar and beech, combined with poplar and paulownia on the sides. The precise wood combination is tailored to each model line, resulting in a ski with controlled weight, responsiveness, and dampening characteristics.
Camber:
Offers a classic camber profile with options for standard camber and low camber. The low camber variant provides a more playful and forgiving skiing experience.
Rise Technology:
Optimizes the shovel of the ski to control float, depending on the ski's application, enhancing performance and versatility.
Tip and Tail Design:
The design of the shovel and tail allows for the refinement of the ski's aggressiveness, ensuring a balanced and controlled skiing experience.
The Kästle MX98 is a ski built for advanced and expert skiers, providing an exceptional platform for aggressive carving and precise maneuvering on the slopes. With a focus on ripping turns, this ski is engineered to excel in a variety of conditions while maintaining its primary emphasis on front-side carving and all-mountain skiing.

[@ransquare]

Thank you for this video! I have the previous ski (MX99) and have been trying to figure out why more people don’t talk about these. They’re considered a bit niche - fat carver? Why? - but I can’t imagine better for a full day of skiing, focused on groomers, on the west coast. One of the other commenters mentioned how these turn anything into a race course. On the west coast, where ice is rare especially after 10am, it’s so true. If I were on really firm bulletproof ice, sure, I’d want something narrower for being quicker edge to edge with more torsional stiffness. But here, it’s not ice I have to deal with, it’s that the groomers get soft by like 10-11am. Narrower skis don’t plow through and smooth out choppy snow as well as fatter skis. These cut through all conditions like butter. At Palisades/Alpine I notice ski patrol staring at me. One actually pulled me aside to say “I need to pull your pass … … For having too much fun!!!” Your reviewers hit it. You need to be strong and know how to ski these correctly. I’m still learning (not a racer or instructor) and they’re teaching me to be better. If you do it right, you bring that focus, commitment, and yes…anger…WOW do they reward you! I’m still curious to own a narrower, tighter turning ski someday, like 72mm, for if I find myself on truly firmer conditions. But having tried a lot of other well regarded frontside oriented skis (though not true race skis) like the MX84, Deacon, Mantra, i.Titan, Wingman 84 CTi…no interest in them anymore, now that I own these and know how to use them. I do also have the FX 106 HP for days when I feel more like off piste. Both skis can go to both places but the MX99 brings markedly more power, stability, and edge while being way more work and punishment for bad technique off piste, while the FX106 HP is still a super fun and very sharp carver while being significantly looser and floatier off piste.

[@chrisgravel7157]

Some of my best days, runs, turns of my life are on prior versions of this ski! They kinda turn the whole mountain in nearly any condition into a race course. Now on a Head Kore 99. Less weight, less effort simular bite and precision but nowhere near the same snow feel or composure in junk snow. This new 98 is almost 200g lighter than prior versions. I would LOVE to have a pair.

[@SkiandBikeMagazine]

Whoheartedly agree, Chris. Not an easy ski but WOW when you're on it.

[@vthike]

I really want the MX but in a narrower waist, probably 75. I currently ski the FX94, love these an push them to the limit. Sometimes just letting gravity do its thing and let them rip on groomers. At the top end they get a little unstable. The only skis I never found the top end of control were my Kastle RX National Teams. Hopefully the MX will be close to those.

[@ransquare]

I have the FX 106 HP and the old MX99 (previous model, I think heavier). FX in 184, MX in 176. Both are sharp, energetic, and precise. But the MX99 has another level of smoothness, especially at speed. The FX holds an edge and is stable but I can feel the terrain and imperfections under it, especially at speed. Doesn’t bother me but it’s there. The MX is silk, edges always dug in and cutting smoothly through.

[@jackfenton2271]

MX99 is my crud, powder, resort ski. Park City 43 years.

[@Micheal-Ireland]

The 2024 model has dark gray on the top sheet near the binding mount area, whereas these appear all white. What model year are these? 2022?

[@darinsmith2458]

I love Peak 10 at BRECK.. It sounds like it is a groomer ski and I imagine that if the bowls have hardpack/ice I could use this ski but not on anything else.. I haven't had a chance to ski the Mantra M6 but I did get to ski the Mantra 102 and I really liked it.. When I demoed it the snow was already melting and I was amazed on how easily it turned.. The way you all talk about that ski maybe you should compare it to a bonafide/brahma..

[@SkiandBikeMagazine]

The closest comparaision would likely be the Mantra M6

[@darinsmith2458]

@@SkiandBikeMagazine I am going to try to get on the Mantra M6 this year

[@joesalemi2414]

Actors don’t make good reviews. A lot of canned statements…..one right after another. Salesman ship is not a way to review skis.

[@SkiandBikeMagazine]

Awe, what a nice thing to say! While some of us might like to be actors, the worst we can be accused of is not wanting to slag skis... If you read between the lines, this is a complex ski that is highly entertaining but also can be quite demanding. If you'd like to come test skis with us, drop us a line and we'd love to have more non-actors join us. There's only one catch, though: You can't be a jerk.