AWARD
Kästle FX96 HP review 2020
PROSKILAB™ reviewers' comments
The Kästle FX96 HP (for "High Performance") is a new ski from Kästle, which replaces the FX95 HP. This season, the ski has reinforced carbon rather than metal.
It is a very versatile ski and perfectly comfortable in this All-Mountain Back category. On groomers, it is at ease in all types of turns. It carves well and is fairly nimble.
The testers were really impressed by how smooth and easy it was to use. The FX96 HP is predictable and progressive, and it absorbs rough patches in the terrain beautifully. It is a “real cruiser” that can charge down runs effortlessly.
The ski is very calm and stable up to a certain speed. Beyond that, edge grip is less solid, and the ski tends to drift.
Off-piste, the ski can go anywhere with ease and feels incredibly smooth. Cutting through chopped-up snow or crud is no problem, and it can float easily in deep snow.
The FX96 HP is an excellent all-mountain ski, at ease in all types of terrain, very enjoyable, comfortable, and fun to ride. We recommend it to strong intermediates and advanced skiers. Experienced freeriders and skiers who want to go fast should look for a stiffer ski.
Review: Pros
- Frontside performance, all types of turns
- Playful
- Stable, calm, and confidence-inspiring
- Easy and fun to use
- Cuts through chopped-up snow and crud, good float in powder
Review: Cons
- The ski is limited at high speed and in aggressive turns – edge grip becomes less solid and the ski has a tendency to break away during the turn
The ski review scores
| Turn initiation | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 16.4 |
| Stability | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 15.0 |
| Stability/turning performance | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 15.2 |
| Grip | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 13.8 |
| Short turn performance | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 15.8 |
| Long turn performance | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 15.2 |
| Skid turn performance | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 16.4 |
| Handleability | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 17.6 |
| Comfort | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 16.4 |
| Snow contact | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 15.2 |
| Soft snow fluidity | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 15.8 |
| Freeride - Flotation quality | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 16.4 |
| Handling in powder | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 16.0 |
| Performance on hard snow | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 13.2 |
| Freeride - Performance on hard snow | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 13.8 |
| Any ground comfort | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 15.0 |
Who's it for?
Manufacturer's remarks
The FX 96 HP loves to venture off-piste, and when teamed up with the FREETOUR 12 2.0 binding, it is also designed to be used as a touring ski.
The 3D shape, triple wood core and carbon-fiberglass wrapped core of the lightweight TRI technology results in maximum transfer of power, stability, and perfect float. Combined with Hollowtech 3.0 technology, this ski raises the bar in terms of minimized weight and maximized downhill performance.
The HP in the name stands for high performance. And the FX96 HP certainly lives up to its name, whether it’s challenging backcountry or big fat turns on corduroy. For a one-ski quiver, this ski is hard to beat!
Features of the FX96 HP
| Brand : | Kästle |
| Model : | FX96 HP |
| Year : | 2020 |
| Family : | All-Mountain back |
| Size tested : | 180 cm |
| Tip size : | 133 mm |
| Waist size : | 96 mm |
| Tail size : | 119 mm |
| Radius for the size reviewed : | 18 m |
Your review
Reviewed by PROSKILAB™
in La Clusaz, France, March 2019