However hazy the boundaries might have been between previous MX, FX and BMX series, that fog has lifted.
While the MX and FX models appear to overlap, with FX models down to 85mm (underfoot) and MX models available up to 98mm, were you to ski them side-by-side you wouldn’t notice much family resemblance. The focused MX models still cut hard snow with the precision of a mohel, while the laid-back FX family chills on the accuracy obsession, assuming an air of nonchalance befitting their soft-snow, freeride orientation.
The obvious opportunity Kästle had overlooked during their renaissance was making non-metal versions of the off-trail FX and BMX models. In the off-piste world, metal is often perceived as more liability than benefit, so Kästle created two classes of these series: HP, designating the presence of two sheets of Titanal in the ski’s lay-up, and a lighter clone of the same ski without the metal, HP suffix or cough-inducing price tag.
While we don’t want to create the impression that Kästle has abandoned their principles, the new FX and BMX models are significant departures from their immediate ancestors. There’s more of a Finesse flavor to the FX family, even the HP versions, and the “B” in BMX doesn’t stand for “barge” anymore.
The other notable debut from Kästle this season is the CPM 82, marrying the softer flex of the LX 82 construction to the greasy smoothness of carbon to create a luxury cruiser that could bear the Mercedes nameplate.