18/19 SOTY Freeride Overall Fischer Ranger 102 FR

Fischer Ranger 102RRP: £460

Lengths: 170, 177, 184

Turn radius: 18m @ 177

Dimensions: 136-102-126

Weight per pair: 4000g

More Info: Fischer

The brand new Fischer Ranger 102 FR is one of those skis we just knew was going to take home the bacon. At the Ski Test it nailed some of the best scores in the big-mountain category; it’s amazing value; and boy did we find it fun and versatile, all over the mountain.

 

Fischer Ranger 102
18/19 SOTY Men’s Freeride: Fischer Ranger 102

 

With Fischer’s Airtech Ti milled core to keep down the overall weight, titanal to look after the ski dampening and keep it super-stable underfoot, plus full carbon shovel, the Ranger feels super-smooth through its turn initiation. It gives great confidence underfoot when pushed hard, but slow things down and the freestyle-inspired flicked-up tail lets you skid and smear your turns, making speed and direction change easy and fun. The ski comes in widths from 85 to 115, but our decisive sweet spot was 102.

Over to tester Lee Hardy:

“I loved how smooth this ski was. On a few cm of fresh over a chopped base, the float feltsuper-light. It gave a buttery smooth turn initiation and gripped right from tip to tail. It skis narrower than 102, feeling really nimble underfoot. It was a poppy, fun, smiley, creamy-smooth ride.”

 

Hugh Shrive managed to wrestle it off Lee for a couple of runs, reporting:

“I agree with all that – it’s not difficult to get the best out of the 102 FR.”

 

Back to Lee:

“It fits in well at the upper size underfoot for a versatile one-ski quiver for the advancing freerider. The key is the great combo of manoeuvrability and sturdiness that lets this ski blast the entire mountain.”

 

Ian Davis was looking at the all-mountain angle, which we always take into account for our freeride winners.

“The Ranger 102 FR is a true all-rounder,” he declared. “It cuts through the off-piste with ease, but get it back on the groomers and it’s a ski with life and spring: easy to turn and a true all-mountain charger.”

 

With innovative construction, a laid-back look and feel yet classic Fischer traits of grip and power, the Fischer Ranger 102 FR is a truly versatile winner of Freeride Ski of the Year 2018/19. And, crucially, at £460 it won’t break the bank.