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Kastle FX106 HP ski test Perisher: love these skis!

snow action team 08.08.2019

Kastle FX106 HP skis were our double faves at the recent SIA (Aussie Ski Industry Association) ski demo days at Perisher. These boards are huge fun and pretty much do it all. Both our test team on the day, gung-ho Steve ‘Crazy’ Leeder and the more mature (polite way of saying slower) Owain Price loved them. Both also rated them the best of those they tested.

These days the Aussie ski season runs year round: Japan is our 2nd winter home, or first for many, while North America is so much more accessible with an Epic Australia Pass in the jacket sleeve that travel is essential. Over 90% of our Aussie & Kiwi print issue readers do that – travel to ski.

So a one-ski-quiver set of boards to enjoy up top or downunder is the holy grail of ski purchasing.

Kastle FX106 HP top sheet
Not too fat, not too thin .. Kastle FX106 HP top sheet

Steve says:

Kastle FX106 HP – A ski that really could do it all. I loved that I could sit back and cruise or stand on it and push it hard.

For a big ski it was pretty quick edge to edge. It was light and loved the steeps. And solid enough to plow through the junk. I did not want to give it back ..

Owain says:

So much fun. Easy edge to edge, can carve hard if you want to and would be an awesome weapon in the trees so manouevrable.

Fat enough for deep snow, playful enough for go anywhere.

But you can relax too, and they are light enough for my mature legs to keep going all day on. I have skied on a lot of Kastles in Japan in recent years, the BMX 105 being a favourite but the FX106 HP feels lighter and quicker all round – they have upped the ante with this one.

We skied the 176cm – perfect height for Steve, for me I would likely buy the 184 (being 183cm tall).

Kastles are never cheap, but the combo with a K13 Attack Binding is an excellent deal if you don’t want to stick a touring binding on them – which would be our preference, these skis are definitely light enough for decent day trips.

Steve pops on the Kastle FX106 HP
SendY? Tick! © Owain Price / Snow Action

Where to get & demo Kastle skis Downunder

Carried by leading ski shops and demos available at Harros Snowsports at Lake Crackenback for Thredbo or Perisher skiers, plus in their Niseko and Furano stores during Japow season.

Kastle FX106 HP pricing/sizes

FX106 HP Without Binding – $AUD 1,249

FX106 HP With K13 Attack Binding – $AUD 1,499

Available in 168cm, 176cm, 184cm, 192cm

Carbon fibreglass layers and core wrap provide plenty of snap and help keep the weight down