[Editor’s Note: The 2024-2025 Fischer Ranger 102 is the same as the 22/23 model released two seasons ago, just with new graphics. This blog post was published in 2022 and has since been edited.]
A brand new Ranger is on the town.
After an overhaul final season, the 2024 Fischer Ranger 102 is again to play. Some of us may miss the legendary pink Ranger 102 FR for its charge-y character and boldness in each aesthetics and efficiency on snow. However the brand new Fischer Ranger 102 brings rather a lot to the desk too. After being a prime decide by a number of staffers as their favourite skis of the yr (together with Pow7 shredder Lauren), the teal Ranger 102 earns its place as an all-mountain ski that may do all of it for a lot of skier sorts. We break down the small print in our Fischer Ranger 102 overview, and at the same time as Ranger 102 FR proprietor Annabelle M. her ideas.
2024 Fischer Ranger 102 Evaluate: Subject Notes
Fischer provides a whole Ranger household with a variety of fashions that share the identical form and primary design. You get a 90, 96, 102, 108, and 116. The 102 sits proper within the center, making it arguably probably the most versatile of the bunch. A hair over 100mm broad on the waist, a softer flex than it’s extra slender siblings, and extra metallic than the broader variations—these skis profile as superb all-mountain skis for loads of time off-piste.
Fischer launched Formed Ti to this lineup, a form shifting, skinny sheet of metallic, that will depend on which mannequin Ranger you’re on. Once more, the 102 has a “medium” quantity, with Flex Lower underfoot to present the ski some power and a extra playful really feel versus a strong sheet.
Hand flexing might not be probably the most scientific technique, however flexing the previous 102 FR and the brand new 102 aspect by aspect does really feel considerably completely different. The previous mannequin feels a lot stiffer all through, the place the brand new 102 feels softer within the ideas and tails. You’ll be able to positively really feel some resistance flexing proper the place the metallic lives.
We are able to solely hypothesize within the store a lot. So how does the brand new mannequin really feel on snow?
Groomers
Alex: I actually appreciated how responsive and straightforward the ski felt to recover from on edge. It doesn’t really feel like a 102 when turning over and appeared like you may get some good carves in. For those who begin to hit these mega excessive speeds although, it does really feel like there’s a little bit of a pace restrict on this ski. The information get a bit wiggly and virtually felt like skis needed to skid out a bit.
Matt: “In comparison with the final model, the 102 FR, I felt finest ripping groomers on this ski with a reasonably centered stance. The information are extra playful and a bit of softer by comparability, so you’ll be able to overpower them in the event you push onerous. I assumed the brand new 102 was loads supportive and really energetic on agency snow as soon as I discovered the candy spot.”
Annabelle M.: They held an edge effectively, however nonetheless felt fairly mild on my ft. I gained extra confidence all through my runs on the ski, so I really feel like I’d solely prefer it extra the extra I skied it. It positively needed to go quick, and I like going quick in order that was enjoyable.
Bumps and Timber
Alex: The spotlight for me! Later within the day, snowboarding excellent bumps felt tremendous pure, and dare I say, straightforward! This ski feels remarkably “drifty”. You’ll be able to simply pivot this ski to show rapidly and feels very clean. It feels happiest slarving by way of turns versus charging straight by way of snow piles. In comparison with the previous 102, the place I felt like I actually wanted to be driving the information 24/7, it was good to take a extra playful method.
Matt: “A lot enjoyable within the bumps! There’s sufficient metallic underfoot so you’ll be able to confidently keep planted in your line, but they’re fairly intuitive and clean to maneuver round.”
Annabelle M.: It additionally felt pretty balanced in comparison with different skis, and I didn’t get rocked backwards and forwards within the bumps.
Powder and Blended Snow
Alex: Being on the marginally broad aspect of “all-mountain” actually helps this ski carry out within the deeper stuff once you get a shock few inches on the market. As soon as that stuff will get a bit of tracked out although, the dearth of metallic within the ideas did make charging by way of the heavy stuff more difficult.
Matt: “I agree with Alex. With much less rigidity up entrance, these skis are likely to skip throughout chop piles reasonably than blast by way of them. For those who’re used to snowboarding playful skis in that sort of snow, you received’t be shocked. If not, you’ll want to remain on them.”
Draw back
Alex: The lengthy tip taper and softer ideas does make the information really feel like they might get extra deflected and chatter-y than the previous model. That being mentioned, this model is simpler to ski than the previous one. Actually aggressive snowboarding types could not get as a lot assist out of the ski in comparison with the previous one, however playful types could have extra enjoyable whipping this round.
Backside Line
Matt: “I’m a fan of the way in which Fischer approached this Ranger reboot. The tailor-made metallic, form, and flex patterns at every waist width give the gathering a lot extra versatility. Additionally, every ski is extra fascinating and dialed in for the snow and terrain it’ll often encounter. That’s all true for the brand new 102. I do suppose core Ranger followers could miss the earlier 102 for its distinct steadiness of playfulness with energy. However the brand new model feels so energetic with out feeling demanding that I see it being the proper gateway to the Ranger line for a lot of skiers who could not have beforehand been drawn to Fischer. Very like one other very fashionable ski on this class, the Blizzard Rustler 10, I really feel assured recommending it to many skiers who need a versatile all-mountain ski that received’t beat them up and feels intuitive wherever they take it.”
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