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I just got word of the release of the new Kastle FX ski line for the 2009/2010 ski season. At first blush, these skis appear narrow (well, they are), but they are built for hard-core mountaineering ascents and descents with highly-technical terrain and variable snow conditions. With Chris Davenport driving product development, that all now makes sense since hauling your butt to the top of a 14-er requires lightweight gear that will work in a variety of conditions–not just wide-open pow.
The typical European “touring” skis are ultralight and super-narrow. While the FX74 and FX84 aren’t fat skis, they are built with lightweight materials while still offering extra girth to make the ride more enjoyable.
Here’s more detail on the new Kastle FX ski lineup:
Austrian ski brand, Kästle Ltd., announces the release of its FX line for the 2009-10 ski season. Two models, FX74 and FX84 kick off Kästle’s new Freeski Mountaineering collection.
Freeski mountaineering combines the physical challenge of backcountry skiing with the technical ability required for high alpine accents. This evolving sport requires tremendous experience and skill as well as lightweight, high performance gear for efficient climbing and fast ski descents.
“Skiing has changed dramatically in the past few years: boundaries have been pushed and the modern skier demands more their equipment,” states Kästle Ltd. president, Siegfried Rumpfhuber. “We’re excited to introduce our new breed of skis that combine the performance of a freeride ski with an alpine touring weight range. We anticipate that weight-to-performance ratios will be a main focus in ski engineering in the next couple of years and we hope that our FX skis are setting the bar high.”
Both the FX74 and FX84 models feature Kästle’s proprietary dual Hollowtech technology, a lightweight sandwich sidewall construction consisting of two fine titanal laminates and an ash / silver-fir / poplar wood core. Dual Hollowtech technology reduces the mass of both the tip and tail of the ski dampening vibration, allowing faster edge transition and providing better tracking.
With a 112 mm tip, a 74 mm waist and a 100 mm tail, the FX74 prefers short to medium radius turns ideal for tight couloirs to open tree skiing. The lightweight construction (6.7Ibs / pair) makes for effortless hikes without sacrificing the performance of the ski whether in difficult off and on-piste conditions. The MSRP is $980.
The FX84 (122-84-110) is a smooth and stable ski boasting the response and control to handle any speed, terrain or snow-condition. The FX84 (7.7Ibs / pair) is the ultimate ski for off-piste excursions yet has the versatility to carve on groomers. The MSRP is $1,080.
“The FX 84 has been a godsend for me because I finally have an ultra light mountaineering ski that doesn”t compromise on performance,” Chris Davenport, Kästle Team Athlete. “The FX 84 allows me to ski fast and with confidence in all sorts of conditions. It truly performs like an alpine ski but allows me to climb without being bogged down with added weight. I think the FX will define a whole new category in skiing”
The FX skis and custom skins will be available in North America and Europe at selected retailers this fall. Skis will be sold flat to allow for individual set-up with various AT binding makes.
;)
I’ve loved Kastle skis for a looong time, and you’re right — you don’t always have wide-open powder, even in the backcountry. In many ski mountaineering situations it can get pretty sharp up there, and you’ll want something that can hold a tight edge.
You know Jas, I don’t mind ~80 under foot as long as the ski is really stable. I’ve also been in many places where it’s nice to have a ski on your feet that isn’t so huge you feel like you are wearing swiming flippers in the pool while trying to make an up hill switch back in skins. Thanks for pointing these out.