Post by gary on Dec 13, 2014 7:00:30 GMT -7
Let me start by stating there is a process or evolution that we all experience in skiing skills and equipment we like.
I have stated empatically in the past..."best ski I've ever skied" and for me....to date...it was. I know it sounds farcical...but I learn what "feels" right after and what job that ski will have for me.
Having skied great carving skis in the past from Head, Fischer and Kastle, with the transition in the ski industry towards wider skis, I found like many I was moving up in my width underfoot. Still, skiing many days in the east, having a solid carver was something I felt I needed in my quiver. Two years ago I purchased a pair of Elan Amphibio at 74 underfoot. I had just sold my Kastle MX78 and was looking for something that was as carve worthy but more versatile. The MX78 just wore me out in 3D terrain. The Elan was OK but just didn't have that carve and energy I was looking for. It was to much of a step backwards from the MX78.
SO...I started searching and was considering the Stockli Laser the Volkl RTM, the Kastle MX83 and the Head Rally. I read reviews like crazy and I really tried to focus on what were the primary factors was looking for. I wanted versatility, carve ability, a ski that tended to be more fineese driven then power driven.
After much brain ping pong...I went Kastle MX83. I knew it was less tail than the MX78, but still had the quiet underfoot I love from Kastle skis
Last week they arrived and I tuned them and got 3 coats of wax brushed in. At 5'7, 153 lbs, I got the 163 length. I had skied Ron's MX83 173 length and really liked the ski characteristics. I was worried the 163 would ski short and couldn't wait to get on snow. My new ski tool came with the Kastle demo binding and I mounted it about 1/2 centimeter forward...and that was spot on. I checked "ball of foot" and it corresponded nicely.
My first run I noticed how much the ski tips were solid tracking into the turn. The ski length was perfect. How solid it felt underfoot and how smooth the tail was exiting whether I brushed, drifted or carved out. This ski carves very very well for me, It also drifts very well. It is a confidence builder....best described as "point and shoot" skiing. As the day went on and conditions went from groomed to scraped off and piles, the ski was easy to drift through the hard surface or set more edge and carve it up. The piles were easy to 2 foot through like miny bumps. I can see this will be very co-operative in the bumps. As the conditions got heavier and more piles, I was working harder so it was time to grab the next tool...the Cadilac in my quiver, my Kasle FX94, and I was back smiling making round turns through the dense crud like I was on groomers.
It would seem my quiver is once again complete now with the MX83, FX94 and my Solomon Q115's. I can confidently say that "to date"...best skis I've ever owned. My ski evolution is proceeding nicely on track!
(special thanks to Ron for letting me demo his 83's and 94's)
Best, G
I have stated empatically in the past..."best ski I've ever skied" and for me....to date...it was. I know it sounds farcical...but I learn what "feels" right after and what job that ski will have for me.
Having skied great carving skis in the past from Head, Fischer and Kastle, with the transition in the ski industry towards wider skis, I found like many I was moving up in my width underfoot. Still, skiing many days in the east, having a solid carver was something I felt I needed in my quiver. Two years ago I purchased a pair of Elan Amphibio at 74 underfoot. I had just sold my Kastle MX78 and was looking for something that was as carve worthy but more versatile. The MX78 just wore me out in 3D terrain. The Elan was OK but just didn't have that carve and energy I was looking for. It was to much of a step backwards from the MX78.
SO...I started searching and was considering the Stockli Laser the Volkl RTM, the Kastle MX83 and the Head Rally. I read reviews like crazy and I really tried to focus on what were the primary factors was looking for. I wanted versatility, carve ability, a ski that tended to be more fineese driven then power driven.
After much brain ping pong...I went Kastle MX83. I knew it was less tail than the MX78, but still had the quiet underfoot I love from Kastle skis
Last week they arrived and I tuned them and got 3 coats of wax brushed in. At 5'7, 153 lbs, I got the 163 length. I had skied Ron's MX83 173 length and really liked the ski characteristics. I was worried the 163 would ski short and couldn't wait to get on snow. My new ski tool came with the Kastle demo binding and I mounted it about 1/2 centimeter forward...and that was spot on. I checked "ball of foot" and it corresponded nicely.
My first run I noticed how much the ski tips were solid tracking into the turn. The ski length was perfect. How solid it felt underfoot and how smooth the tail was exiting whether I brushed, drifted or carved out. This ski carves very very well for me, It also drifts very well. It is a confidence builder....best described as "point and shoot" skiing. As the day went on and conditions went from groomed to scraped off and piles, the ski was easy to drift through the hard surface or set more edge and carve it up. The piles were easy to 2 foot through like miny bumps. I can see this will be very co-operative in the bumps. As the conditions got heavier and more piles, I was working harder so it was time to grab the next tool...the Cadilac in my quiver, my Kasle FX94, and I was back smiling making round turns through the dense crud like I was on groomers.
It would seem my quiver is once again complete now with the MX83, FX94 and my Solomon Q115's. I can confidently say that "to date"...best skis I've ever owned. My ski evolution is proceeding nicely on track!
(special thanks to Ron for letting me demo his 83's and 94's)
Best, G