kastle MX78 vs RX12 ? suggestions on which one to buy?

ahh, "Ice-Face"?  the 78 will be more versatile but these are two different ski's. the 78 is doable in trees and bumps but the square-off tail like to carve. You could round off the tail a little to let it release a little easier. Not that you can't use it for bumps, it just takes a little more awareness.  The 78 is a superb ski capable of icy runs when properly tuned and is very stable. It's still in my quiver even though I have little use for it. It's just that good of a ski. 

Trees are not icy.  Bumps can be.  Of course, what you call "icy" and what I call "icy" may be different. 

I am guessing that the Kastle MX78 grips like the old Head Monster 78.  If it does, it is a good width and a good ski choice for Whiteface.  Unless this winter turns out to be a spectacular snow year (a problem I would love to have) there will only be a dozen days or so all winter when something wider is desirable. 

At Gore, which isn't quite as icy as Whiteface (not as windy, so the cover stays a bit better, and just a bit more snow), I ski K2 PEs/Extremes (85 mm waist twin tips) most days, Fischer RX8's (66 mm waist frontside carvers) on the days that I expect it to be REALLY icy.  The Kastles will split the difference between these two skis and provide a good one-ski quiver. 

Your Whiteface season pass is valid at Gore as well.  Wait for a day when the glades at Burnt Ridge Mtn. are open at Gore, then c'mon down and check it out.  You won't be disappointed.

STE

I'm currently in this debate.

I hear the 78s are still great on hard snow and plenty powerful, but the RX12s are even better on hard snow.

This is less about grip (obviously the RX12 has a bit more) or versatility (obviously the MX78 has a bit more) than about how many skis you want to own. If 2, I'd opt for the narrower ski to deal with the hard stuff, and then think about a high 80's to high 90's for soft days. But if this is your only ski, then the MX78 will be a little different in the bumps, touch softer and more surface if you get thrown around, touch less quick; far better in the soft stuff. A very nice choice for an eastern one-ski quiver. Either way, 168 if that's your usual. The RX is not hellishly stiff. Get a 1/3 tune, and keep your weight where it should be, or you'll think the edges are meh. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by beyond 

This is less about grip (obviously the RX12 has a bit more) or versatility (obviously the MX78 has a bit more) than about how many skis you want to own. If 2, I'd opt for the narrower ski to deal with the hard stuff, and then think about a high 80's to high 90's for soft days. But if this is your only ski, then the MX78 will be a little different in the bumps, touch softer and more surface if you get thrown around, touch less quick; far better in the soft stuff. A very nice choice for an eastern one-ski quiver. Either way, 168 if that's your usual. The RX is not hellishly stiff. Get a 1/3 tune, and keep your weight where it should be, or you'll think the edges are meh. 

I got slightly used 2012 RX12s for $550 on eBay, couldn't turn that deal down.

What do you mean by a 1/3 tune?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin M 

 

I got slightly used 2012 RX12s for $550 on eBay, couldn't turn that deal down.

 

What do you mean by a 1/3 tune?

1/3 means one degree base bevel and three degrees of side edge angle.