2026 Kastle MX88

tester:

Luke Miller

Ability: Advanced
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 185
Days / Year: 100-120
Age: 31
Years Skiing: 27

Intentional

Ski:

2027 Kastle MX88 Skis

Size Tested:

188 CM

Location, Terrain, Snow Conditions Notes

Stowe groomers

Did this length feel short, long, or just right? Would you recommend sizing up or down, or does it ski "true to size?" Would you choose this length for yourself?

Perfect. True to size

Scores

Floatation:6/10

Stability:9/10

Quickness:8/10

Playfulness:7/10

Forgiveness:7/10

Edge Grip:10/10

Versatility:6/10

Overall:9/10

What's your first impression of this ski? How did it feel?

Feels great. Nice to see an 88 underfoot frontside ski look like a frontside ski. Feels like lots of brands are trying to pretend their similar ski is more versatile. Very similar to anomaly/mantra/enforcer but leans into being a frontside ski.

For what type of terrain would you recommend this ski? Why does it perform well in that terrain?

Frontside primarily. Has some versatility though.

What's the appropriate ability level and/or style for this ski? Why is it appropriate for that type of skier?

Advanced/expert frontside skiers.

If you could change anything about these skis, what would you change and why?

Nothing.

tester:

Andrew Ruschp

Ability: Expert
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 205
Days / Year: 60-100
Age: 46
Years Skiing: 44

Fun

Ski:

2027 Kastle MX88 Skis

Size Tested:

181 CM

Location, Terrain, Snow Conditions Notes

Gondola and corn snow

Did this length feel short, long, or just right? Would you recommend sizing up or down, or does it ski "true to size?" Would you choose this length for yourself?

Little short but pretty close

Scores

Floatation:3/10

Stability:9/10

Quickness:8/10

Playfulness:6/10

Forgiveness:5/10

Edge Grip:8/10

Versatility:5/10

Overall:8/10

What's your first impression of this ski? How did it feel?

Stable and zippy.

For what type of terrain would you recommend this ski? Why does it perform well in that terrain?

Groomers.

What's the appropriate ability level and/or style for this ski? Why is it appropriate for that type of skier?

All abilities.

If you could change anything about these skis, what would you change and why?

Nothing.

tester:

Marc Angelillo

Ability: I'm A Pro
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 165
Days / Year: 150+
Age: 69
Years Skiing: 66

Fluid, technical, textbook, high level of efficiency

Ski:

2027 Kastle MX88 Skis

Size Tested:

167 CM

Location, Terrain, Snow Conditions Notes

Front side and all mountain

Did this length feel short, long, or just right? Would you recommend sizing up or down, or does it ski "true to size?" Would you choose this length for yourself?

True to size

Scores

Floatation:9/10

Stability:8/10

Quickness:8/10

Playfulness:8/10

Forgiveness:7/10

Edge Grip:8/10

Versatility:8/10

Overall:8/10

What's your first impression of this ski? How did it feel?

Smooth and playful.

For what type of terrain would you recommend this ski? Why does it perform well in that terrain?

All mountain and frontside.

What's the appropriate ability level and/or style for this ski? Why is it appropriate for that type of skier?

Intermediate to expert.

If you could change anything about these skis, what would you change and why?

No change.

tester:

Jamie O'Brien

Ability: Expert
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 195
Days / Year: 70-90
Age: 42
Years Skiing: 40+

fast, smooth, and flowy

Ski:

2027 Kastle MX88 Skis

Size Tested:

181 CM

Sizing Impression

181cm is just the right length for a guy my size and it skied exactly how I expected a 181 would.

Scores

Floatation:8/10

Stability:9/10

Quickness:8/10

Playfulness:8/10

Forgiveness:6/10

Edge Grip:8/10

Versatility:7/10

Overall:8/10

Overall Impression

My first impression was that the new MX88 was more rugged than its predecessor and it skis like it too. Still plenty versatile and playful but with a new found ruggedness of its 100yr heritage.

Appropriate Terrain

From groomers to trees, the MX88 crushes it all. It's built like a bulldozer but handles like a rally car.

Appropriate Skier

The MX88 is for the upper intermediate to advanced skier because it takes some strength and aggressive riding to get the most out of it.

Other Thoughts

Nothing to change for the MX88. Such a fun and confidence building ski!

tester:

Steve Sulin

Ability: Expert
Height: 6
Weight: 240
Days / Year: 35
Age: 49
Years Skiing: 40

Ski:

2027 Kastle MX88 Skis

Size Tested:

180 CM

Sizing Impression

true

Scores

Floatation:5/10

Stability:10/10

Quickness:6/10

Playfulness:5/10

Forgiveness:5/10

Edge Grip:10/10

Versatility:5/10

Overall:10/10

Overall Impression

Great daily driver for someone who want to attack the mountain. Crushes crud. Hooks up easier than previous models.

Appropriate Terrain

Mixed to hard snow.

Appropriate Skier

Ripper.

Other Thoughts

Nothing.

tester:

Greg Petrics

Ability: I'm A Pro
Height: 6' 3
Weight: 210
Days / Year: 50+
Age: 39
Years Skiing: 37

I'm a race-trained skier who had a powder addiction, and now is looking for the perfect piste turn.

Ski:

2027 Kastle MX88 Skis

Size Tested:

188 CM

Sizing Impression

This ski felt just right. It felt true to size. I would choose this length for myself.

Scores

Floatation:8/10

Stability:10/10

Quickness:9/10

Playfulness:9/10

Forgiveness:9/10

Edge Grip:10/10

Versatility:8/10

Overall:10/10

Overall Impression

I loved this new incarnation of the MX88. It felt so much more playful than last year's MX88. The new core layup really has done wonders to make the ski feel a little less racy, and a little more forgiving, but somehow while keeping the performance that the MX88 was always known for. This ski really gives a Stockli Stormrider 88 a run for its money, and folks should take a serious look as this ski for their one ski quiver. I was super impressed from start to finish.

Appropriate Terrain

Really this can do it all. It rails piste. It chops up soft snow. It gets around in the trees.

Appropriate Skier

This ski seems aimed at advanced skiers with its camber and almost racy piste carving ability, but the new designed core which seems to have made this ski alot more forgiving and playful brings this ski into play for advanced intermediates as well.

Other Thoughts

Nothing. I think Kastle is really onto something with this ski. It has always been a favorite of mine, but this new edition really knocks it out of the park.

tester:

Matt Stromecki

Ability: Expert
Height: 6' 2"
Weight: 200
Days / Year: 70 - 100
Age: 25
Years Skiing: 23

Freeride to its definition. Playful but fundamentally sound with an emphasis on style.

Ski:

2027 Kastle MX88 Skis

Size Tested:

177 CM

Sizing Impression

True to size.

Scores

Floatation:6/10

Stability:9/10

Quickness:8/10

Playfulness:8/10

Forgiveness:8/10

Edge Grip:9/10

Versatility:7/10

Overall:9/10

Overall Impression

Absolute ripper of a frontside ski. Insanely responsive and strong but somehow easy and intuitive to ski. Ended up using it for a couple of race runs and was super composed throughout the entire run. Would be happy to own as a frontside carver!

Appropriate Terrain

Frontside groomer carving or beer league race sti.

Appropriate Skier

Advanced to expert frontside carvers and beer league racers.

Other Thoughts

I'd change nothing.

2026 SkiEssentials Ski TestThe 2026 Kastle MX 88 is a powerful and relentless all-mountain carving ski that delivers unrivaled carving performance and is seated squarely among the heavy hitters of its category.

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