Although only 2mm separates its waist width from that of the MX Limited and MX84, the CPM82 couldn’t be more distant, behavior-wise, from its Kästle cousins. The MX84 is an unbridled power generator, and the MX Limited is, as one tester proclaimed, “the MX84 on steroids.” In contrast, the “P” in CPM could stand for “pussycat,” for it responds to light pressure and even purrs at low speeds that would bore its brethren to tears.

That the CPM82 is so well mannered exposes the current craze over tip rocker as so much hyperventilation. The CPM’s ultra-modern carbon construction is built on an über-traditional cambered baseline, with a tip and tail designed to engage with the snow. It earns its crazy good scores for carving capacity the old-fashioned way: it remains connected to its round trajectory with every centimeter of edge at its disposal.

Best of all for the Finesse skier, the CPM doesn’t have to ignite its afterburners to become interested in etching clean arcs. It’s geared to the saner side of the speed spectrum, but if you give it the spurs, it knows how to gallop. Its sweet spot feels like it runs the full length of the ski, making it all but impossible to get out of balance.

Skis as lightweight as the CPM don’t normally maintain their composure in more challenging conditions, but the CPM is no ordinary ski. It snorts with contempt at hard snow and crud up to knee deep is easily subdued.