Known for engineering some of the top-performing skis in the industry from premium materials, Kastle’s MX, FX and BMX lines may vary in waist width and application, but they all ski to the company’s lofty standards. The MX—built unapologetically with two sheets of metal and full camber—has laid down the gauntlet over the past six years as a burly driver meant to fly down the front of the mountain. Along with a redesign of the classic MX, Kastle innovated a step further for 2017 with the MX Limited. Only 500 pairs were released worldwide. Here, we review one of them.
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Test Location: Copper Mountain
KASTLE MX LIMITED
SPECS:
Waist Width mm: 84
Length cm: 160, 168, 176
Shape mm: 128, 84, 112
Sidecut m: 16 (176cm)
Weight: 3,710 g/pair (176)
(Traditional Camber)
The MX Limited is a sleek, carbon-construction version of the MX. True to form, the ski holds an edge on groomers exceptionally well, snaps in and out of turns and offers arguably the most stable ride on the market. With carbon in the core, the Limited does each of these things even better than the classic MX—at a lighter weight.
Powder
If you want to chase powder on a Kastle ski all day, the wider and rockered FX and BMX will probably fit your needs better than the MX Limited. That said, the fact that the Limited is a premier carving/groomer ski doesn’t mean you can’t take it for a spin in the soft stuff. That’s exactly what I did on Copper’s Upper Enchanted Forest, a wide-open drop on Copper Peak opposite the steeps of the Spaulding Bowl. After tip-toeing terrified around wind-swept rocks (“Dear God, please no core shots on this ski, repeat…”), I arched some long turns through five inches of untracked fluff before shortening things up on the choppier bottom section. The MX Limited was strong and damp enough to cruise through everything in its path yet light enough to sing as it snapped from edge to edge. Think light, nimble carving rather than powder surfing. While my considerably softer Rossignol Soul 7 was born for the latter, the MX Limited—at virtually the same weight—injects fun into the former.
Groomers
Did I mention singing? Well most skis can serenade you in light, fresh snow, and that noise you hear is probably your own voice anyway. The true task for Kastle’s brainchild during my test was to make an admittedly freeride-oriented skier enjoy spinning lap after lap after lap on groomed and packed trails while stashes beckon from the trees.
How’d it go? When I tipped the MX Limited and picked up speed down packed powder/ hardpack/corduroy/spotty ice, the skis not only held the smoothest and most reliable edge of any I’ve skied, but they positively vibrated. Not in the chattery, unruly way. In the way that makes you feel at-one with the universe, like monks are chanting and humming in your feet, legs, soul. Know the feeling? I didn’t either.
Trees and Tight Turns
You want to ski trees on the MX Limited? Have a beer at the base and ask Ullr for forgiveness.
As far as tight turns go, the Limited mirrors the shorter turn radius of Kastle’s 2017 MX redesign. The effect, especially at the lighter weight, is a ski that loves turns of all sizes and is quick enough to be a fun bump ski—as long as you don’t mind Mach 5.
Other Skis in this Category to Consider
You probably won’t find another ski that offers the same balance of stability, energy and hard-snow pleasure in such a lightweight package. The closest ski for performance will obviously be Kastle’s MX84. Other comparable skis are the Head Monster 83Ti and Head i.Supershape Titan along with Volkl’s V Werks Code UVO.
Bottom Line
From my perspective, the MX Limited isn’t worth the high price for most people because most people don’t need it, and despite the monks, I won’t be buying this ski. But then again, I do live in a truck. And there may not be a better ski in skiing (especially if you remove versatility from the equation). If you want to go fast on-trail with a plush-yet- burly ride and are willing to pay the dough in order to ski the best, you’ve found your soulmate.
