The biggest surprise about the Kästle’s MX89 isn’t that it landed squarely on top of our Power Picks, but that its scores for Finesse properties would have earned top honors for ease of operation, as well. Three principal factors contributed to this sudden rise in perceived forgiveness.

First, the test subjects – meaning the skis – weren’t up to par the previous spring. Small batch production runs like those for new model launches are more subject to possible snafus. Our 2017 test scores painted a picture of a great ski straining to overcome an indifferent finish. This year, with the MX89 in regular production, the veil that clouded last season’s perceptions lifted, revealing a ski that’s so secure on edge it feels capable of forgiving all (skiing) sins.

While it’s possible to quibble over the MX89’s Finesse score, there’s no equivocating when it comes to its Power rating. It’s clearly the most carve-centric ski in its class, responding to a high edge angle by tearing a new aperture into whatever terrain it encounters on its bull-rush to the bottom. Skiers who can execute turns with a lot of upper/lower body separation will indeed find the MX89 relaxing because the ride is so secure the skier doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain a clean trajectory.

Which brings us to the second reason the MX89 got a bump in Finesse values this year: our testers were so relieved to rediscover the silky smoothness associated with the legendary MX88, they overcompensated by tossing an extra bouquet or two at this year’s test skis.

The third reason the MX89 scored so well across the board this year is due to a phenomenon that occurs whenever testers encounter a ski that blows them away. They want their scores to make it as clear as possible that their favorite ski earns the recognition they feel it merits. So they give it the highest scores they can, which in the case of MX89 probably over-state its ease of operation to lower skill skiers.

The facts are that the MX89 takes skill and confidence at high speeds to fully appreciate. Skis like the MX89 are why it’s worth spending the time and effort to get really good at this sport. The rewards are utterly exhilarating.