[The model, data and review for the Kästle LX73 are unchanged from last season.]

Kästle wasn’t even trying to make a knockout women’s ski. It applied a square sidewall to what was previously a cap ski to give it a performance kick, in the process raising the performance bar to the elite level. It doesn’t hurt that the stock lay-up for a Kästle is a vertically laminated beech/silver fir core encased in twin laminates of glass and Titanal. There’s a reason it’s the foundation of all the best hard-snow skis being made today.

One of The Sport Loft’s regular contributors, Margit Caine, praises the LX73 for its “awesome agility,” adding that it “holds the edge like a lock. Fav of the day!” she raves. As long as it isn’t condemned to the torments of off-piste terrain, the LX73 is the perfect servant, never calling attention to itself but always ready with whatever’s needed to keep things running smoothly.

The strongest women might overpower it, but the LX73, as referenced above, isn’t meant for them. It’s a confidence builder for those who aren’t as skilled or athletic as they’d like to be. Note the size range dips down to 140cm, a clear signal Kästle intends to attract the skier who prizes security and control over speed and thrills.

The LX73 is only available as a system, meaning it comes with its own binding, the K10 SLR Pro, a lightweight binding that complements this surprisingly light ski.

For delivering impeccable control on a silver salver, we award Kästle’s LX73 a Silver Skier Selection.