2026 Kastle Obsidian 92

Returning as a carryover model for 2026, the Kastle Obsidian 92 uses a narrow-bodied, freeride-oriented uniqueness, bringing a fun flavor to the Kastle line. With a similar footprint and concept as the men’s ZX line, this 92 mm model offers a nice gateway to the Kastle world of skiing, with a fun-loving demeanor and high level of performance. While the MX line attracts a more serious audience, the Obsidian 92 welcomes a larger audience of skiers and delivers all-mountain capabilities in an affordable package. It’s unique in that it is one of the narrower freeride skis out there today.

Kastle uses a lot of high-quality techniques for building skis. For the construction, we start off with poplar and beech stringers in the wood core. We see these materials used in a lot of all-mountain skis for good reason, as they provide a solid base with a mix of energy and minimum weight. The overall feel is light and responsive. We also get two layers of fiberglass, giving it a really nice level of energy and pop. With Kastle’s signature Hollowtech tip technology, the amount of mass in the shovel is reduced, which results in less chatter and unwanted vibrations. A relatively simple build, the 155 cm length weighs in at 1445 grams per ski, which is pretty light and highly maneuverable. Tester Kerry Douglas-Pearce states that “These felt very responsive and precise initiating turns at a high speed. I felt comfortable and stable and imagine they'd be an ideal choice for the average east coast winter for the skier who prefers sticking to the resort and dipping into the side country on occasion.”

Again, the Obsidian 92 is a rare narrow freeride ski. The shape plays quite a role in the lively nature of this ski, helping to give it more of an approachable, fun-loving demeanor than the majority of Kastle’s more front side focused skis. 92 mm underfoot makes for an ideally versatile shape, especially when paired with a 127 mm tip and 115 mm tail. A spoony, smoothly curved shape shovel is combined with long tip rocker and taper, making it reactive and particularly bendable in the forebody. With a slightly flatter tail with less rocker, the directional power is counteracted by a nice release point. The impressively short turn radius speaks for itself as far as performance, with the 155 cm length generating an 11.2-meter turn arc. Lauren Morton notes that it “Felt heavy when I first picked it up but found it was great pushing through the soft snow.”

There’s quite a big audience here for a relatively unique ski. Accessible for a variety of different skiers, Kastle’s Obsidian 92 combines light weight with powerful carving capabilities and agile energy. With an integrated skin notch, the possibility of touring is certainly not out of the question, giving it an even greater degree of versatility. Poised, precise and just incredibly rewarding, the Obsidian 92 appeals to just about everyone, and we’re psyched to see it back for this season, mainly because it occupies a rare combination of attributes.