2027 Kastle Transcend 98

One of the most fun and exciting new skis we got on all year is the 2027 Kastle Transcend 98. We’ll get to the 104 as well, but this 98 is a very well-rounded freeride ski that has some twin tip vibes, some all-mountain chops, and a fantastic new design that’s going to win the hearts of many skiers over the next few seasons at least. These skis have a playful shape to go along with a strong build that makes them appealing to advanced and expert skiers who are looking for versatility and creativity. This doesn’t feel a lot like many other Kastle skis, and we say that in the best way possible.

Built with Kastle’s Twin Core construction, the Transcend 98 uses a mix of poplar and beech stringers in more of a macro block format. This makes them a bit less stiff than other models like Paragon or MX, but puts it right there with the Sublime series which also uses Twin Core. The Transcend 98 uses a Powerzone Titanal laminate that is found mostly underfoot but extends a bit towards the tips and tails. The metal is certainly structural in nature and enables the ski to be used in an aggressive format. Kastle has the 181 cm length on the scale at 1870 g/ski and it feels very balanced and poised at that weight. Tester Bob St.Pierre states that “The Transcend 98 kicks butt. This ski is awesome and should be instantly positioned with all of the other great ~98 mm skis out there. It has an awesome blend of freeride and all-mountain performance. It has the metal to keep things smooth and poised while having a fun-loving and creative shape that works great for off-piste skiing and variable snow conditions and terrain. This is a wonderful all-mountain ski that can handle groomers as well as trees and bumps. It's got enough taper and rocker to give it above-average floatation, and it has enough sidecut and a strong enough build to rip carved turns on firm snow.”

At 98 mm underfoot, we consider this ski to be right in the “fun” zone when it comes to mixing terrain and snow conditions. There’s quite a bit of rocker here as these skis have a very progressing and modern footprint to them. This allows for creative and playful skiing especially in softer snow. The 181 uses an 18-meter turn radius to make all sorts of turn shapes and styles but we’ve also found that they work great in that arc on firmer groomers. It’s a very intuitive feel that steers well and goes where you point it with a strong sense of intuition. Tester Quenten Jones states that “They felt surprisingly playful for a Kastle. Good mix of stability and fun. I could see this being a daily driver in Northern Vermont. A true all-around ski. Carves well but had the top rocker and flex pattern to be fun and easy to pivot/skid. A great new style for Kastle! This is a stacked category, and I think they nailed their first take on it.”

We agree, for a first shot, this ski is awesome. While there’s not much to offer in terms of notes to refine the ski, it does feel like a very finished and polished product. It’s not an ideal ski for anyone below an advanced level, although it is relatively easy to turn and not terribly demanding. We’re looking forward to spending more time on this Transcend 98 as the years go by.