The Kastle LX 85 is a slightly more relaxed all mountain ski compared to their MX line, but still uses very high end materials and construction and delivers high end performance. The construction of the LX skis is designed to be lighter than other Kastle skis with metal as the titanal layers are significantly thinner. This helps retain the smooth feeling and dampening properties that the metal provides, but makes the ski more user-friendly for less aggressive skiers. Kastle has refined the LX series and they’re now better than ever and are bound to become favorites among a wide range of ability levels and terrain applications.
James Stewart tested the 176 cm length and described the performance of the LX 85 as “refined ride quality in a user-friendly package.” While some Kastle skis, especially the MX collection, require a lot of energy and skier input, the LX 85 is much more calm and relaxed. James commented that it felt “not demanding, but rewards good technique.” Although the LX 85 uses slight tip and tail rocker and a hook free shovel design to make turn initiation as smooth and easy as possible, they do still require a certain ability level to really be at their best. Basically anyone who feels comfortable carving turns has the necessary technique to get the most of the LX 85. If you’re skidding all your turns you won’t benefit from the smooth carving performance. James thought it has “excellent on-snow feel” and that “medium radius turns are automatic.”
Rory Burke also skied the 176 cm length and was impressed by the LX 85 and its ability to feel both lightweight and responsive. He described it as “fast, light, and lively.” In previous years the LX series was often mistakenly segmented as beginner or intermediate oriented skis, but they’re really much more than that. It’s important to remember these skis still use metal in their construction. While they do have a semi-cap construction, there is more vertical sidewall in these skis than previous years, which not only increases torsional stiffness, should help change the public’s perception of the skis. Rory found them to be high performing skis and commented “stay on it and you’ll be rewarded,” a nod to the fact that the LX 85 is a responsive, high performance ski.
Dave Marryat thought it would be “an awesome pick for the east coast carver looking to update to a modern ski.” While we don’t often like to try to say whether a ski is better for the east or west coast, we can understand where Dave is coming from. Their 85 mm waist width does give it some versatility, but they’re at their best on groomed slopes. Dave tested a slightly shorter length than James and Rory, the 168 cm, and thought it had a “nice turn shape” and felt “stable.” He also thought that “the camber and metal inspire confidence in experienced and intermediate carvers alike,” and referred to it as “a ski you can grow with.” You don’t have to be the world’s best or most aggressive skier to enjoy the LX 85, although we do think the world’s best skier would still have a blast on them.
The lightweight yet high end performance feel of the Kastle LX 85 has to be the highlight. You can ski it all day long without feeling overly fatigued, but the ski still delivers snappy, responsive, energetic performance that high end skiers will really like. While they’re not quite as much ski as their MX brethren, they’re still perform at a high level.
