We live in an era obsessed with innovation, hurtling as fast forward as we can go towards an uncertain future, eager to challenge, if not outright discard, all inherited wisdom.

Thank heaven for brands like Kästle that understand the value in adhering to tradition. The MX84 is made from a classic recipe: a vertically laminated wood core (silver fir and beech), with top and bottom sheets of glass and metal. Its sidecut and baseline are likewise cut from Old School cloth. There’s no tapered tip or tail, no sign of rocker, no cut-outs in its two full sheets of .5mm Titanal. This is a machine for connecting man to snow, and if it takes a little more skill to handle a ski without training wheels, so be it.

There are plenty of choices in the market for skiers who want a shorter camber zone, something easier to swivel, maybe a little fatter so it will float better. The MX84 is the antidote to all that. Its absurdly high Finesse score isn’t because it’s easy for anyone to ski; it’s because the experts who tested it fell in love with its line-hugging power and imperturbable calm. This is why testers who rarely write comments start decorating their test cards with hearts.

Here are a few snippets from its many fans on our test panel: “Best ski in test.” “Best ski ever!” “Barely have to think about turning – it just does it.” “Very friendly yet very high performance. I want one.” “Forgiving and precise.” “Held up really well off-trail.” And my personal favorite, one word in the center of the comments section: “Buy.”

The TLC that goes into making a pair of MX84’s extends from the top sheets to the bases. On the bottom, Kästle provides one of the best base finishes you’ll ever see ex-factory. On the top, the glossy graphics are clean and uncluttered. Like what’s inside, it’s a classic.