New Skis For John

[jbotti]

I don't think this is nearly as exciting as Lynn's purchase but I bought a pair of Kastle MX 78's used from a PMTS guy who liked them but didn't love them. The price was great so I feel like if I don't love them, I can sell them for close to what I paid. I have wanted a pair of IM78's or something similar to keep at home in the SF bay area to use when I go up to Tahoe. I will take these to MT and ski them over the holidays and whatever ski I like least between this and the IM 78 I will take home with me and ski them in Tahoe.

Obviously everyone raves about these skis. I generally try not to believe the hype but I do believe Max 501 and we have similar taste in skis and he says it's an excellent ski (he rates it = to the IM 78 which is very high praise as we both think of the IM 78 as the gold standard).

Should be fun!!

[jim-ratliff]

JB:


Congratulations.  And would you to provide us a summary all of the skis that you currently own??


Jim

[jbotti]

How much storage does this site have?

Here is a lits of the ski that I own and like. I am embarassed to say that the total list is much longer.
Head SS Kers
Head SS non Kers
Head SS magnum
Head Icon tt 80
Head ISL RD
Head I speed
Head IM 78
Kastle MX 78
Fischer Watea 84 and 94 (bot Rock skis as I destroyed both the same season)
K2 Hard Side
Icelantic Shaman

I find that I ski my SS Kers, TT 80's, IM 78's and Icelantic Shamans a lot (shammies only when it is deep and fresh).

[jim-ratliff]

Well, they say a picture is worth a thousand words, but pictures take up much more space than the thousand words. Thanks for the list and for not posting individual pictures.

Mine are:

Head SS Magnum (the 3 year old version)
Fischer Watea 84 (making it my Colorado skinny ski)
SkiLogik Ullr's Chariot


So 72, 84, 101 waists. I successfully resisted the STRONG urge to get a pair of the Progressor 8's to match Lynn.

It's hijacking John's thread, but anyone else want to tell us what they own?

[Svend]

It's hijacking John's thread, but anyone else want to tell us what they own?

Well, it was you that recently said hijacking was acceptable behavior here.....so here is my little quiver:

Fischer Progressor 9+ ('10)
Dynastar Mythic Rider ('08)

Edit:  oops, forgot these ones:  Nordica Mach 3 ('08)


And Terryl's quiver:

Head Supershape Speed ('07)
Fischer Progressor 8 ('09)
Dynastar Exclusive Legend Powder ('08)

[LivingProof]

JB,

Finally, we'll get your review of a Kastle MX series ski, something I've wanted to read since the MX series was introduced.  I, too, thought they were over-hyped, but, came to know better. All know Gary and our non-posting friend Ron are major fans of the MX78. I believe Ron is continuing to keep the MX78 as his sole "skinny" ski.

I owned the Head im78 (but only used them twice ) when I demo'd the Kastle 78 and remember thinking they were both excellent. Via a Philpug trade-on, I exchanged the IM78 for the Kastle 88, so, my memories of both 78's are diminished. I do remember thinking that I would not have done an exchange of my Head for the Kastle 78, but, that was based on how close they skied and there was not a good reason to just swap one 78 for another. I remember Ron thinking the Kastle 78 was superior.

For sure, if I was limited to just one ski, the MX78 could win my eastern skiing heart. Having said that god for quivers.

[Svend]

JB,

Finally, we'll get your review of a Kastle MX series ski, something I've wanted to read since the MX series was introduced. 

I'll second that request.  I skied the iM78 for a day last year, and was totally impressed.  Great all-mountain ski -- maybe not the most exciting and dynamic, but solid, stable, smooth, do anything, go anywhere, move where they're pointed, undemanding but lots of performance.  Very confidence inspiring.  Kind of had the feeling that the skis just withdrew into the background, quietly did their job, and let me enjoy the mountain without having to pay attention to the skis all the time (seems to me that that is kind of an under-rated quality of skis, that no one talks about....perhaps this is fodder for another thread discussion?).

Very curious to know how they compare to the MX78 that everyone raves about.  Looking forward to hearing from you JB.....

[jbotti]

I am happy to post a review. Unless I end up going to Chile in July (which is looking increasingly unlikely) I will put this up sometime in late December unless we get lucky with some early season snow in Tahoe. I can tell you that Max 501 rates them very close with the MX 78 having a slight edge on hard snow (it's a little stiffer) and the IM 78 having the edge off piste. I have skied the IM 78 in all conditions in a variety of terrain. It won't take me long on the Kastles to get a feel and write a review.

[midwif]

Congratulations John !

I think your new arrival is JUST as exciting as mine.
I dither longer in deciding whether or not I should go ahead and..... do it. 

You just go ahead and deal with the consequences of an unhappy outcome ( if you're new skis don't perform as you'd like).

L.

[Gary]

Nice Find JB....I'm assuming you got the 176 length? What binding is going on it?

Look forward to your on snow review. I absolutely love mine. I had the IM78 when it first came out and feel this is truly a different ski than that model. 

The only modification I made to mine was to round off the tail a wee bit so it releases better for me in crud and pow.

It's a ski with lots of energy....I think you'll like it......Now ....GO TO CHILE!   

G

[jbotti]

Yes they are 176's and they came with Jesters. Yes, can't wait to ski them and I will definitely post a review. As for Chile, we will see.