2019-2020 Kastle MX99

35 comments on “2019-2020 Kastle MX99”

1. Awesome can’t wait for the review guys! I am just about to mount up the exact same ski this weekend :) I actually sold the MX98 redux to buy these. I loved that ski but the 27m radius was a bit of a limiting factor especially for most modern skiers who are used to just rolling their ankles and expecting things to happen. The old MX98 was the most refined ski with the most beautiful rebound and flex of any ski I have ever owned – made it just so damn versitile and fun. With the new 22m radius, bit more shape, slight tip rocker and Kastle’s construction this should be a killer ski for variable condition big mountain crushing – which from your post and excitment you guys think so to!

2. Love the video. Great way to get a quick snapshot of the review of the item.

3. I would be curious how you think this compares to the older bona-fide, after the carbon but before the most recent accessibility changes.

   • Im interested in hearing your thoughts as well. I havent skied the new series, but the old series(mx88, mx98) had a fabulous construction and feel on groomers, but for me, much too hard to ski off piste. I know olenty of super strong local skiers who ski the mx98 in a 194, but i couldnt handle in a 184. First because or the long TR in the mx 98. But more important imo is the square tail that doesnt release easy. even a 178cm mx88, which is amazing on groomers, was difficult for me off piste in stark contrast to my 177cm monster 88 and are amazing off piste and in bumps for me. Since they are both stiff, similar TR, and lack rocker, i am left concluding that the square tail of the mx that is the difference. the monster is rounded and seems to allow easy release. If the mx99, has gotten rid of that tendency w a hair of rocker(bc it still looks square), i might be very i interested.

4. Real happy to see some Kastle skis on here. I’m a bit of a Kastle fan boy.

   Looking forward to what you guys say about the TX98. I used to have a TX90, and while fine when the snow was untracked or packed, they were way too light for the in between conditions (chop/crud). I opted for the Salomon MTN Explore 95 instead, thanks to your review suggesting it was a just heavy enough backcountry ski.

   • Also really looking forward to the TX98 review. It’s my favourite touring ski by far and I find it skis heavier than others in the same weight class – but of course there has to be a trade off.
     Interestingly this season’s MTN Explore 95 is now virtually the same weight as the TX98 and has a very similar geometry at a cheaper price.

5. I’m going to reach back further in time, and predict that this ski turns out to be the modern day reincarnation of the old Enforcer.

   In so, so many ways!

6. I’ve got one run on the 99s, and it was alright. I’m a HUGE fan of the 194 MX 98, it’s been my daily driver for 3 years, and I’ve heard different things, good and bad, about the MX99, but don’t have enough time on them to have a decent opinion. Hence why I’m very curious to see what Blister thinks of it. If the 99 is nearly as good, and keeps the durability that Kastle is know for, my first pair of 98s lasted almost 300 days before the top sheet of metal popped off the core, then I’ll know what to replace my 98s with when my back up 2 pairs die in 5-7 years.

   If you know someone with a pair of 184 MX 98s, and you compare that early rise and tail rocker of the 99 to the 98, you’ll see the difference and why Kastle brings up how it’s been added. The contact point with the snow on the 99 is a lot further back then it was with the 98s.

   As long as people can get on the front of the 99s, they will be able to drive it in any conditions and anywhere on the mountain. Their was no relaxing on the 98s in tight places, and that’s ok, because if you got room to run, you could lay them over and look very far down hill, and let the skis run. It just takes a skilled pilot who wants to be in charge, and they will be fine.

   • Hello Matt,
     Just monted up a 184 MX99 and just sold an MX98 which I was the 2nd remake of the ski. Knowing the MX98 very well I can say their are suble differences between the two in tip, tail and flex. I have yet to ski them but here is what I notice

     Tip/ rocker – the new tip is like an MX89, its a bit lower, longer and less blunt than the MX98. This will move the contact back a smidge. Rocker? I’d say its a longer more gradual tip, rocker is a stretch by modern std’s.
     Tail – The new tail is flatter with less upturn. This was a surprise but the MX98 had a fair bit of lift. Tapper seems to be about the same maybe a tad more on the MX99.
     Stiffness – Shovel about the same , mid section and tail stiffer, no question about it. The MX98 flex seems a bit more round and buttery by comparison. My guess is on the hill this translates to a bit smaller sweet spot and more power – See Alexn’s comments. My guess is with considerably more sidecut 22m vs27m, the MX99 can get away with more stiffness without being a bear, the MX98 needed to be more pliable to make it work in a variety of turn shapes by being easier to bend.
     Unless we get some real snow I may not get out on them for a few weeks. Whistler Base is still around 40cm, most of us have a 1M rule especially for new gear..

7. Looking forward to the review, and the video is a great addition! Have you considered a shot of handflexing the skis in future videos, maybe alongside a notable reference ski? It would have been interesting to see back-to-back shots of handflexing the MX99 vs. the Monster 98 (or even a simultaneous splitscreen flex if you really wanted to get fancy).

8. This should be an interesting review. I own the MX 78 version of the ski. To me they are a fully cambered race ski construction that has been softened and made more appropriate for recreational skiing. They have a unique damped feel. I have never skied the 98/99 width, but would like to. I suspect the MX style works best for a groomer carving ski. It can handle some level of off piste skiing as a powerful ski. I think they work best in 70-88 mm widths, as you don’t necessarily expect them to be great off piste skis by design. The 99 being wide enough for most off piste duty, but with a carving ski construction, might not be the best example of the MX series. Then again, it depends on your style and what you like.

   Looking forward to see what you think. IF you can get on the 84 and 89 width skis, definitely worth it.

9. I skied that ski for the second half of the season last year. It’s the best ski on the market, ridiculously stable, super powerful and yet surprisingly very accessible. That does not mean that it has a huge sweet spot, you need to be on the front all the time, but you don’t have to drive it all the time as you have to for a race ski. But if you do what you are supposed to do, it’s the magic ride. My prediction is that it will be very polarizing, with some people loving it and some hating it. If you knew how to ski the old Mantra, you will love that ski, if you skid your tails, or run the “ new school” technique, it will kick your butt.

10. Alex, any chance you can weigh in on how it compares to the new Mantra 102?

    • Tom- Sorry, hav3 not been on that Volkl. I’d guess that the difference will be in damping. Kastle skis are usually less ‘buzzy’ than just about anything else. This is what expensive construction buys you.

11. When are you gonna review some Lib Tech skis? I would be super curious to know what Blister thinks about Magne Traction on skis. If you can get your hands on some Wreckreates or Wundersticks that would be sick!

12. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udpZTDPY1iU&feature=emb_logo

13. There’s a number of skis being released that are sort of unapologetically at one end of the spectrum. I for one applaud this trait in the ultra-crowded 99-109 underfoot range of skis. Looking forward to the early season CB review of this ski. My guess is it goes mach chicken with zero effs given.

14. I saw the MX99 yesterday at BooneMtnSports- bad mofo. I have skied 180cm MX89 for 3yrs. If the 99s are similar: heavy, NO speed limit (very stable), fantastic edge hold, confidently land jumps, easily outrun ski patrol. Skis require lots o input from a strong driver

15. I think you can’t outrun ski patrol, they will just meet you at the bottom, no? Can’t comment on jumps much but agree with the rest of your characterization.

16. Right. Hard to outrun a radio!

17. So, guys, where is the flash review?

    • We’ll be posting the Flash Review tomorrow.

      • Luke- Still can’t see the flash review. Are my settings wrong? Thanks!

        • It’s not you, we just haven’t posted it yet. We’ll have it up by EOD today.

18. No rush, guys, skiing is good!

19. This is a total nitpick but: Silver Fir is a softwood.

    I won’t get into why hard/soft wood is meaningless in this context (and in most contexts where people bring it up), except to note that balsa is a hardwood.

    • Ha, thanks for the correction — just updated. Learn something new everyday…

20. Any progress on the TX98 review? Or anything at all you can share? I’m putting together a proper light touring setup very quickly and would like some input as to how it compares with the Line Vision 98, MTN 95, and perhaps some of the 105/6 entries like the Helio and the Wayback. I generally ski rockered pow skis even in the Alps, like to vary my turn shapes but am looking for something lighter to keep up with the locals (Swiss) on the skin track and handle the steep and variable conditions.

    • We should have a First Look up within the next week or two, but we’ll probably be spending most of our time on it later in the season. Just based on the specs, the TX98 looks very similar to the MTN Explore 95, but definitely more directional / stronger / less playful than the Vision 98.

21. I purchased the MX99 in late December and have skied on them for 6 full days. They are superb. I ski on the east coast, and the conditions have recently varied from hard packed groomers, soft snow with some small bumps, as well as somewhat slushy snow, in the rain. They handle everything with ease. While not particularly light, they allow for quick turns and hopping around, with joy, on trail edges. They will plow through anything and are stable at speed. Compared to racing skis, they have a more reserved manner – navigating crowded slopes, at slower speeds, is much easier. This ski is versatile, smooth, and a lot of fun. I love the graphics, the brand, and their presence on the snow. For me, the 184 cm is the perfect length; I’m 6 ft 220 lbs. I have not missed my Volkl Racetiger GS skis for one second.

22. Any news on TX98? Can we still expect first look and/or full review before summer? Obvious comparision is MTN Explore 95, but especially interested if that tail rocker in TX makes it more versatile through reducing tail hooking In heavy snow and making it bit easier to release tails when needed.

    • Unfortunately, it’s not looking like it — Sam had been planning on mostly using that ski for spring touring, but COVID has drastically limited that for him. They’re also discontinuing it and the MX99 for 20/21, which is a bummer. He got a little bit of time on the TX98 which mostly consisted of jump turns down a tight couloir, and his very initial takeaway was that it didn’t feel a lot “looser” than the MTN Explore 95. He skied the 178 TX98 and 184 cm MTN Explore 95 and felt like the 178 cm TX98 was just generally a bit easier and more forgiving than the 184 cm MTN Explore 95, but he thought that mostly came down to length, rather than the TX being a lot easier to pivot around. Of the skis we’ve used in this class, the Line Vision 98 is definitely the least hooky and easiest to slarve around, while the MTN Explore 95, TX98, Dynastar Mythic 97, & Majesty Superwolf all feel pretty similar to each other in that regard.

23. Thanks!

24. I have a pair of 174 MX98s and this last New Zealand season I added 176 MX 99’s. I was surprised at the difference the early rise tip makes. The 98’s take the merest roll over for the tip to engage and take you into the turn, whereas the 99’s you must put them right over onto edge for the whole ski to turn, so two quite different turn initiation techniques are required…..at least on hardpack. Get into any depth of snow and the 99’s really come alive and the turns initiate much easier and with much less of the possibility of catching a tip that the 98’s will do to the unwary. So the 98’s have a wonderful secure feeling turn initiation that does not require a lot of angulation, they really are easy to ski on hardpack, very stable especially with that long turn radius. The 99’s on hardpack require more technique, more angulation, ride the whole edge…..they have given up something on the hardpack. However, as above, in 3d snow the 99’s really come alive with great rebound. I am 64 yrs old 80kg I am content with the 176 length don’t see any need to go to the longer length like you Northern Hemisphere people do… Cheers Stan

25. Good input on the difference in turn initiation with MX and above comments. I noticed and like that on the 98’s. Almost could be used as a reference ski for what good construction, no rocker and traditional camber can do. One benefit of these models being discontinued is that they are offered at a significant discount while supplies last. Always appreciate the blister reviews and being able to look at the index for slightly older models. Good luck with the Summit!