Sharing the same basic blueprint as the wider 108 and 115, the 2023 Kastle ZX100 is a modern and progressive freeride ski in a slightly more average width. Built with a wood core consisting of poplar and beech stringers, the skis have a great blend of energy and strength. Since they use wider stringers, there’s less epoxy, and that makes for a lighter and more flexible ski versus FX or MX models. Two sheets of fiberglass and a rubber layer on the bottom make the ski both energetic as well as damp. Since it borrows profile and footprint from the wider skis, this is one of the better floating 100’s out there, especially in the shovel. The tail is still pretty strong and poppy, so when you get back on the groomers, it’s actually a whole lot of fun. While nobody’s going to mistake this for a front side ski, it’s a decent carver for sure, you just have to know and understand that the tip isn’t going to hook up and bring you into a carve.