Kästle’s reputation for otherworldly edge grip was established by its MX models, fully cambered assault vehicles that tore groomed terrain to tatters. The FX series, here represented by the FX85 HP, despite using all but identical materials used in the MX mix, could not be more different.

Where the MX89 tries hard to adhere to terrain, the FX85 HP works overtime to keep the connection loose. Its pivot-friendly attitude begins with the baseline, a double rockered affair dubbed Dual Rise by Kästle. On a 173cm, the forward contact point is pulled back 361mm and the tail begins to elevate 217mm before it’s done. (We know these numbers because Kästle helpfully prints them on the topskin.)

To further insure neither tip nor tail gets a mind of its own, both are tapered so they provide surface area without having much to say about turn shape. Put the baseline and sidecut effects together, and you have a ski with the core of a carving ski but the predisposition to drift, swivel, butter and stivot like a Powder model.

The FX85 HP holds its own on hardpack, but groomed runs aren’t its preferred playground. It would rather face a field of crud-covered bumps than a perfectly manicured boulevard. As befits any decent crud ski, the FX85 HP does its best work when it’s allowed to run with a head of steam.