Kastle TX77 Alpine Touring Ski (2022)

The Kastle TX 77 alpine touring ski falls into a class of ski we have been admiring for a while here at the home office. Not an uphill race ski, not a heavier “real” alpine touring ski, something “in between”. Whatever you want to call it the race inspired TX 77 is super sweet. With the 166cm weighing a race ready 1080 grams, this is a ski-mountaineer ski that can both compete in the Grand Traverse skimo race and then ski the Grand Teton.

The 77 is the lightest and stiffest of the TX line with the addition of a full sheet of carbon. This overlay caps a solid Paulownia and Poplar wood core that is wound with carbon-fiberglass. This makes for a ski that will ski circles around any skimo style uphill race ski. With an early rise shovel that is large enough to make this skinny guy float in the deep end, the TX 77 is a versatile ski mountaineering ski.

After rappelling into that steep, committing couloir you will appreciate the profile of this ski. With the tip and tail edge contact points moved further towards the center of the slightly cambered ski, you can effortlessly snap quick turns in tight spaces. Kastle has further reduced the swing weight of the TX 77 by increasing its signature Hollowtech yellow "eye" in the tip. This reduces tip chatter and dampens the ski at speeds. It also glows in the dark which will be pretty cool for your predawn alpine strikes.

If you are looking for an exacting ski mountaineering ski that can enter skimo races and actually ski mountains, then go for the “in between” TX 77!

Make sure to check out the pre-cut Kastle TX77 Climbing Skin!