Kesley Obsidian 92 Review: A Lightweight All-Mountain Ski With Freeride Manners

Introduction

The Kesley Obsidian 92 is a 92 mm all-mountain ski whose shape comes straight from a wider freeride design. Kesley built it on the same foundation as the ZX 108, then narrowed the footprint, and the result keeps much of the surfy, maneuverable character of that ski while staying versatile enough for everyday resort days. It is a carryover model, so the graphics and the construction remain unchanged from the season it was introduced.

That narrower waist paired with a freeride profile is the interesting part. Most skis at this width lean toward groomer performance, while the Obsidian 92 leans toward maneuverability and flotation in soft snow.

Who This Product Is For

This is a ski for riders who like quicker, more agile turns and who spend time in trees, bumps, and variable off-trail snow. The lighter build and the absence of metal make it easier to manage than more demanding all-mountain skis, which suits riders who prefer a playful feel over a stiff, damp platform. Its 92 mm width keeps it practical across a wide range of resort conditions, while the freeride-derived shape adds flotation that narrower skis usually lack.

Riders who ski primarily on hard, icy groomers at high speed may want something with more mass and more power. The Obsidian 92 is at its best when the terrain and the turn shape stay moderate and the snow is soft or variable.

Main Strengths

Kesley has put together a well-rounded package here, and the strengths come from how the construction and the shape work together rather than from any single feature.

Lightweight Construction With Reliable Edge Grip

The core uses poplar and beech with wider stringers, wrapped in fiberglass laminates and finished with a full sidewall. That combination keeps weight down while still providing solid edge grip, which is uncommon for a ski this light. In the 169 cm length the ski weighs around 1,650 g, so it stays easy to pivot and quick to move around. Kesley also uses its hollow tech construction in the tip, reducing mass in the front of the ski so it returns to neutral more quickly after being flexed. That matters in variable snow, where a ski that settles back into position fast feels more predictable.

The full sidewall contributes to the grip underfoot, and the positive camber beneath the foot gives the ski a dependable platform to carve from.

Tip Taper and Rocker Tuned for Soft Snow

The tip is where the freeride influence is clearest. The widest part of the ski is moved well back toward the shovel, which puts more surface area closer to the foot and produces a surfy, smear-friendly feel. A long rocker profile starts well down the ski, adding flotation and helping the ski stay mobile in soft snow. Few 92 mm skis carry this much taper and rocker, and that combination is what lets the Obsidian 92 perform above its width in powder and crud.

A Directional Tail and a Quick Turn Shape

The tail is more restrained, with a shorter and lower rocker profile that keeps the ski directional and gives it a positive finish to the turn. Taper in the tail adds a rudder effect that helps in soft snow. Underfoot, the sidecut is pronounced, and with camber in the mid zone the ski produces quick, energetic carved turns. The turn radius in the 169 cm length sits in a tight range, which supports short and medium arcs rather than long, high-speed turns.

Taken together, these elements explain why the ski feels agile in trees and bumps while still floating better than its waist width suggests.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The lighter, simpler construction is the source of much of the ski’s appeal, and it is also the main trade-off. At higher speeds, and especially on firmer snow, a heavier ski with metal in the build will feel more planted and more powerful. The Obsidian 92 is happiest at moderate speeds and moderate turn shapes, where its quickness and flotation are clear advantages. Riders who charge hard on groomers all day may find themselves wanting more ski.

Buying Advice

The right length depends on how you plan to use it. A shorter length will feel quicker in tight terrain, while sizing up adds stability and a little more float. If your days are mostly soft snow, trees, and bumps, this ski’s profile is a strong match. If your priorities lean toward high-speed carving on hardpack, a more demanding all-mountain ski is the better direction.

It also helps to think about what you are replacing. Riders coming from a heavier metal-laminate ski will notice the lighter swing weight immediately, along with how easily the ski releases and smears. Riders coming from a dedicated powder ski will appreciate how much more versatile a 92 mm waist is on the days between storms.

Conclusion

The Kesley Obsidian 92 is a genuinely well-rounded all-mountain ski with clear freeride DNA. Its poplar and beech core, fiberglass laminates, and full sidewall keep it light and grippy, while the tapered tip, long rocker, and directional tail deliver soft snow performance that is unusual at this width. For riders who value agility in trees and bumps and want a ski that stays fun at moderate speeds, it is an easy recommendation.