Help me decide...Stockli VXL or Kastle MX88

tough call...Personally I like the MX88, I will say there are not too many left over especially in the 178 that would be the right length for you. There are two shops, close to you, that actively post here that might have them still. Suburban and SkierShop. try them. 

Well, I spend some time at Stowe, love the trees there, own a MX88, a FX94, and a BMX98, have skied the VXL, other Stocklis. In all honesty, not sure either of your top choices - which are both superb all around skis, BTW - are the best candidates for what you claim you want to do. For more bumps and trees than you do now, and in keeping with the small to medium radius turn deal, you want something with a bit of early rise - which the MX88 does not have and the VXL may have next year but not right now - and ideally, a rounded, turned up tail. Again, both the MX88 and the VXL have fairly substantial, traditional tails. They're both groomer zoomers that thrive on big fast arcs and can handle bumps if called upon. They carve superbly. They are not tree skis in any way shape or form. 

If you are really wanting a Kastle, the FX94 is a better all around ski for a good skier at Stowe. The BMX98, more directed at soft snow than the FX94, also fares well in bumps and trees there, without losing much of anything in crud. Neither will be quite the ice picks or have quite the top end of the MX88; life's a tradeoff. The Stockli Stormrider 95, which has early rise and is weirdly maneuverable in bumps or tight spaces, would also work better than the current VXL. Although it's a touch heavy for extended time in trees, it will bulldoze any crud known to man at any speed you want. I think Skiershop stocks all of those, BTW, and may have the new VXL with early rise.

PM Whiteroom about this. 

beyond speaks truth.  Except that I think that the 2013 MX88 may have some early rise.

If you're really locked into the MX or the VXL, they are both excellent skis and which is "better" is probably a matter of taste rather than an objective question.  Think Coke vs. Pepsi.  Which means that if you're not going to wait and demo them against each other, you should whichever one you can find at a better price, including considerations of resale value in case you decide you don't like it.  (Kastle has broader recognition, which probably means they'd be easier to resell, but I haven't found it that easy to unload my 188cm MX88s, probably due to length.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by beyond 

Well, I spend some time at Stowe, love the trees there, own a MX88, a FX94, and a BMX98, have skied the VXL, other Stocklis. In all honesty, not sure either of your top choices - which are both superb all around skis, BTW - are the best candidates for what you claim you want to do. For more bumps and trees than you do now, and in keeping with the small to medium radius turn deal, you want something with a bit of early rise - which the MX88 does not have and the VXL may have next year but not right now - and ideally, a rounded, turned up tail. Again, both the MX88 and the VXL have fairly substantial, traditional tails. They're both groomer zoomers that thrive on big fast arcs and can handle bumps if called upon. They carve superbly. They are not tree skis in any way shape or form. 

 

If you are really wanting a Kastle, the FX94 is a better all around ski for a good skier at Stowe. The BMX98, more directed at soft snow than the FX94, also fares well in bumps and trees there, without losing much of anything in crud. Neither will be quite the ice picks or have quite the top end of the MX88; life's a tradeoff. The Stockli Stormrider 95, which has early rise and is weirdly maneuverable in bumps or tight spaces, would also work better than the current VXL. Although it's a touch heavy for extended time in trees, it will bulldoze any crud known to man at any speed you want. I think Skiershop stocks all of those, BTW, and may have the new VXL with early rise.

 

PM Whiteroom about this. 

For a tree ski, I agree the FX94 could be a better option, I would throw the LX92 in over either of the BMX skis though. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDad 

beyond speaks truth.  Except that I think that the 2013 MX88 may have some early rise.

 

If you're really locked into the MX or the VXL, they are both excellent skis and which is "better" is probably a matter of taste rather than an objective question.  Think Coke vs. Pepsi.  Which means that if you're not going to wait and demo them against each other, you should whichever one you can find at a better price, including considerations of resale value in case you decide you don't like it.  (Kastle has broader recognition, which probably means they'd be easier to resell, but I haven't found it that easy to unload my 188cm MX88s, probably due to length.)

The MX88 doesn't have early rise for next year. Not so much Coke/Pepsi, more Mercedes/BMW. 

New LX92's on Sierra Trading Post - $599. Just sayin'

^^^^ This. Crazy good price. On reflection, Phil's dead right; the LX92 is a better call for what you want and where you want to ski than the BMX98. The FX94 is also a great call, but will be a little more demanding than the LX92, and have a livelier feel, so some of this is about what you like as feedback rather than which is "better." Dawgcatching has nice reviews here on all these, incidentally, and I agree with most everything he says. And think hard about all those nice trees at Stowe before you pull the trigger on anything. 

If you're completely paralyzed by indecision, usually a sign you don't want any of the choices. In that case, suggest erasing the board and starting over. The new Dynastar Outbound 87 looks like a great all-around, and the Blizzard Bushwacker is magic in Stowe trees, I've skied it in same and go look at Josh's videos. We all know it's the skis, not the skier, right?

Quote:

Originally Posted by snofun3 

New LX92's on Sierra Trading Post - $599. Just sayin'

Down to $519 and free shipping with a 35% off DealFlyer coupon that ends tonight. Pretty sweet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDad 

 

Down to $519 and free shipping with a 35% off DealFlyer coupon that ends tonight. Pretty sweet.

Can't find that coupon - Help!

I was going to say sorry, too late... but then I got another in my inbox this morning, good through 7/26.

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