Burly, strong, and insanely capable, the 2024 Kastle MX 98 is in a league of its own when it comes to high-performance versatility. We get the ski returning unchanged for 2024, so expect the same graphics, strength, and power from this amazing product. Kastle’s MX line has been synonymous with all-mountain precision for years, and this theme continues into 2024 with a vengeance. Traditionally, this ski has been reserved for advanced and expert skiers who don’t mind a stiffer and heavier ski to motor through, around, and over any type of snow condition or terrain. This does not change for 2024, so skiers who are up in the air about the sturdiness of the ski should take note that the MX 98 is mainly a business-like ski that can withstand a ton of aggressive skiing and high speeds. The shape, build, and profile all lend to high-end skiing and precise, high-quality performance.

By blending different wood stringers in the core, Kastle gives the ski a strong and sturdy start. In the inner core, they use a mix of poplar and beech stringers and on the sides, they use just poplar. The narrowness of the stringers gives the ski a lot of stiffness in a longitudinal format, with the biggest difference between this and a race ski is the use of poplar on the sides. If it’s beech/poplar throughout, then the ski merges into the race world. As it stands, there’s some versatility in the core here, making it an acceptable choice for skiers who are looking for a blend of energy, power, and dampness. Additionally, we get two layers of metal and two fiberglass laminates to the mix, furthering the strength of the build and performance. Hollowtech in the tips acts as a vibration absorption tool, making the ski smooth and stable throughout the carves. It all adds up, though, with the 178 hitting 2070 grams per ski. Weight equals stability, though, so take that into consideration when going through the process.

In terms of shape, this is, by and large, a wide-bodied carving ski. As the widest of the MX line, the 98 can be considered the most versatile when it comes to soft snow, but it’s still not nearly as fun, playful, or floaty as the FX 96 Ti or ZX 100, and that’s okay, this 98 has its own thing going on. The tail is flat and strong with minimal taper and rocker. The tips are very much front-side/all-mountain oriented with some rocker, but very little taper. This gives the ski a long effective edge and a lot of material on the snow at any given time. This equals smoothness when it comes to snow feel and delivers confidence in a carved turn. There’s a long turn radius here as well, hitting 20.9-meters in the 178. It’s even longer in the longer length, so this ski is very comfortable cutting clean arcs across the fall line and at higher speeds. When the shape is paired with the build, it’s a bit tricky to use in shorter turns and slower speeds, so if you’re looking for a less-demanding ski, this may not be it.

The high-end precision and quality is definitely reflected in the price. You’re paying for the performance, but also the technology involved. While some companies focus on making the ski quiet or easy, Kastle goes the other way with the MX 98. The heft is noticeable, the sound is on the loud side, and the grip is uncompromising. This is a high-end ski with a high-performance feel. When you think about a loud car, this is the ski equivalent. It’s got a throaty growl that propels the ski down the hill aggressively, and for skiers who like this type of character, the MX 98 is an amazing ski.