2019 Kastle FX85 HP
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Ski Stats

Sidecut 119/85/108
Radius 17m @ 173cm
Lengths 157,165,173,181
Weight 1820g @ 173m
MSRP $999
FIND
Power Score: 8.42

Finesse Score: 8.25

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Relatively lightweight and easy flexing, the FX85 HP is also forgiving, as it doesn’t require a technically talented skier to steer it. As Rob from Boot Doctors observes, the FX85 HP is “the finest ski at the Finesse/Power balance aspect. So confident, so smooth, so fine,” he coos. The FX85 HP straddles the line between Power and Finesse properties; last year, we dubbed it a Finesse ski despite a higher Power score because it doesn’t ski like the usual Power selection. This year we’re going with the data that labels it a Power model, but one with a lot of Finesse flavor. Because it responds to a light touch without surrendering steering control, we again award the FX85 HP a Silver Skier Selection.

A few seasons ago Kästle decided there wasn’t enough differentiation between its MX and FX series, so the FX models underwent a massive transformation that would ensure that no one ever mistook them for an MX model again. The FX85 HP shares many construction similarities with its fellow All-Mountain East model, the MX89 – seeing them in cross-section, you’d be hard pressed to tell them apart – yet they could hardly be more different.

The difference makers are the sidecut – the FX85 HP uses a tapered tip and tail, so the extremities aren’t as reactive – and most significantly, the baseline. Kästle uses what it calls “progressive rise” at both ends of the FX85 HP, reducing the modestly cambered area in the middle to a short platform that’s easy to foot steer. These adaptations are meant to facilitate turning in tricky off-trail conditions, but they also have the effect of drastically expanding the range of skier abilities and styles that will benefit from its bundle of attributes.

Anyone concerned that the two sheets of Titanal in the FX85 HP will make it too burly and likely to balk at slow speeds, don’t sweat the small stuff. Sure, short turns at a snail’s pace aren’t its strength, but it steps up when it matters with much stronger edge grip than the non-metal FX85. The relatively small difference in price is peanuts compared to the performance chasm between the HP and non-HP models.

Relatively lightweight and easy flexing, the FX85 HP is also forgiving, as it doesn’t require a technically talented skier to steer it. As Rob from Boot Doctors observes, the FX85 HP is “the finest ski at the Finesse/Power balance aspect. So confident, so smooth, so fine,” he coos. The FX85 HP straddles the line between Power and Finesse properties; last year, we dubbed it a Finesse ski despite a higher Power score because it doesn’t ski like the usual Power selection. This year we’re going with the data that labels it a Power model, but one with a lot of Finesse flavor.

Because it responds to a light touch without surrendering steering control, we again award the FX85 HP a Silver Skier Selection.

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Test Score Data

Total Score: 83.45
Early to Edge:
Continuous Carve:

Rebound/Turn Finish:

Stability/Accuracy @ Speed:
Short-radius Turning:
8.45
8.45
8.45
8.82
7.82
Off-piste Performance:
Low-speed Turning:
Forgiveness/Ease:
Drift/Scrub:
Finesse/Power Balance:
8.18
7.91
8.00
8.64
8.73