2022 Kastle DX 85

The 2022 Kastle DX 85 returns unchanged except for a graphics refresh, and for skiers who are looking for that on-piste ski with all-mountain capabilities, you’re going to be stoked on the DX 85. Built with a wood core consisting of fir and beech stringers, the skis have the ability to flex and bend to the skier’s whim, allowing for a predictable and stable behavior. Add to that two sheets of titanal and two sheets of fiberglass and you’ve got a burly and stable ski that’s ready to rip on the groomers. With a bit friendlier of a shape and more of a rounded shovel and tail, the DX 85 does become a bit more accessible for intermediate and advanced skiers who are adding some adventurous skiing to their resume. While we wouldn’t go ahead and call an 85 mm underfoot ski a powder board, it’s definitely able to stay on top of some fresh snow. Overall, advanced and expert skiers will get the best results of this ski in an on-trail format, but our testers and experience tell us that they’ll also be able to rip around in off-piste scenarios as well. The longer turn radius also allows for better versatility in adventurous skiing, as it creates and gives the skier the ability to dictate the shape of the turn without it being hooky or grabby.

David Wolfgang skied the 160, and while that’s too short for him on a personal level, he still noted that it skied true to size. Also in terms of that sizing, the 160 generates a 14.5-meter turn radius, so as we get shorter with these skis, the turn shape follows suit. As a result, the top scores for David were 5’s out of 5 for quickness and maneuverability. These things certainly want to turn on a dime, and for skiers who are looking for that short-swing carved turn, sizing down could be a good choice. Stability, playfulness, forgiveness, and overall impression all earned 4’s so even in that shorter size, we’re seeing some consistently high scores for the DX 85. He states that the DX 85 was a “fun, quick ski that loves to make short turns.” These skis definitely creep up on you, making the shorter turns with the higher end of performance, and it really stands out as one of the more well-rounded 85’s out there on the hill.

Jeffrey Siegel was on the 176, and he found it to be just right. His top mark was a 4 out of 5 for forgiveness, so it sounds like he thought it was on the more flexible side. When a ski in this performance range has some forgiveness to it, that usually means that you can use the flex of the ski to access the majority of the turn radius. With a longer arc (18-meters) in this length, the DX 85 can be bent to achieve the round, carved turn, or it can be skidded and smeared to be used in more of a short-turn format. He notes about the DX 85 that “This is a good ski. Nothing to write home about, but for an entry level Kastle, it makes nice turns, especially for the money. On-piste, it’s solid. It initiates easily and is very forgiving. It carves well and probably would help an aspiring skier gain some confidence. At speed, I found the ski to hold well and be more stable than it feels.” A lot of that stability at speed is due to the longer arc, and it’s great that Jeffrey is picking up on this.

While the DX 85 can certainly be considered Kastle’s entry level to the all-mountain category type of ski, it can also be a high-end ripper for advanced and expert skiers who are looking to shred. The skis have the shape, construction, and profile, to handle a wide variety of conditions and terrain, and while they gravitate to the groomers, that doesn’t mean that they’re stuck there. For skiers looking to get out and experience all the mountains have to offer, the Kastle DX 85 is a fantastic option.