Ski Reviews
2022-2023 Fischer Ranger 115FR (22/23), 178 cm
Reviewer Username: J_Tropp
Reviewer Height: 5’5″
Reviewer Weight: 126 lbs
Reviewer Experience Level: Advanced
DAYS USED: 50 days
TEST LOCATIONS: Whistler Blackcomb/Breckenridge/Big White
TEST TERRAIN: Firm groomers | Softer groomers | Firm moguls | Softer moguls | Low-angle, off-piste terrain | Fairly steep off-piste terrain | Very steep off-piste terrain | Trees
TEST CONDITIONS: Extremely firm hardpack or ice | Pretty firm snow | Softer, but not deep snow | Untracked powder (shallow) | Untracked powder (deep) | Soft chop / pretty forgiving cut-up snow | Firm, off-piste chop or crud
PERFORMANCE RATINGS
(0 = Terrible, 5 = Okay, 10 = Outstanding)
OVERALL IMPRESSION: 10/10
FORGIVENESS: 9/10
MANEUVERABILITY (How Loose / Easy to Pivot & Smear?): 8/10
MANEUVERABILITY (How Quick / Low is the Swing Weight?): 7/10
STABILITY: 9/10
SUSPENSION: 9/10
EDGE HOLD: 7/10
PLAYFULNESS: 7/10
PLAYFULNESS (Open Ended):
Pretty easy to rotate/pivot (for a 112 wide ski) at mid/end of turn.
SKI LENGTH: It felt just right (178 cm length tested)
THIS SKI’S IDEAL TERRAIN: Firm groomers | Softer groomers | Low-angle, off-piste terrain | Fairly steep off-piste terrain | Very steep off-piste terrain | Trees
THIS SKI’S IDEAL SNOW CONDITIONS: Untracked powder (shallow) | Untracked powder (deep) | Soft chop / pretty forgiving cut-up snow
WHAT TYPE(S) OF SKIER DO YOU IMAGINE WILL GET ALONG BEST WITH THIS SKI?
Responds well to technically proficient input.
It is a great multi-use tool in the PNW plethora of snow conditions, carves well enough for the groomers, enough edge grip for slick conditions, and oh so fun in fresh snow shallow, deep, or anywhere in between.
ARE THERE SIMILAR PRODUCTS YOU’VE SKIED THAT YOU CLEARLY PREFER? IF SO, WHY?
Rossi 118 Black Ops – 176cm – The Rangers come out to play way more often. The mounting point is more aligned with a forward stance and the weight of the Black Ops can be punishing on the legs. The days where the Rossi’s come out, the chopped up powder is abundant, and the suspension and crud breaking skills of the Black Ops become paramount to the flexibility and edge hold of the Rangers.
PLEASE ELABORATE ON ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO SAY ABOUT THIS SKI. FEEL FREE TO GO INTO DETAIL!
This ski is a blast in wide open steep powder (but what ski isn’t?). It is a charger of a powder ski with a high speed limit, and great fro big arcing turns.
But its skills do not end there. The low swing weight + stiffness + strong tails are what drive my appreciation of this ski. The tails are supportive and allow you to drive strong through the end of a turn, and provide a level of forgiveness if you get off balance mid arc.
The low swing weight keeps them easily manoeuvrable in tight spaces, and the weight provides pretty good suspension through all types of crud.
They are likely one of the best carving 112mm wide skis out there. If you can get them on edge, they will deliver.
Love ‘em, they are under appreciated and under represented on the hill.