Share

Skiing

Fischer Ranger 102 FR 2020 – 2021 | Review

The Fischer Ranger 102 FR is a ski that's got something for everyone

Why we chose the Fischer Ranger 102 FR: Versatile, vibrant, rockets

Lengths (cm): 156, 163, 170, 177, 184, 191
Sidecut (mm): 136-102-126
Radius: 18m
Rocker Profile: Rocker-Camber-Rocker
Weight (per ski): 2,000g
Price: £450

New for 2020/21 Fischer are offering one model of each ski, with two different (but non-gender specific) top sheets to offer ‘skis for skiers’ because ‘passion has no gender’. The Fischer Ranger 102 FR launched with a bang due to its unapologetically fluorescent pink option (which somewhat overshadows the blue alternative).

The graphics are not the only shocking aspect of this ski. We’re impressed by Fischer’s approach to the gender question in ski construction, and we’re even more impressed by the performance and versatility of their hot pink ski.

Fischer Ranger 102 FR Build

The Ranger 102 FR’s poplar and beech wood core is topped with a double titanal shell for superior edge grip. This differs from the full titanal plate in the Ranger TI range. By opting for a shell and Air Carbon reinforcement, Fischer reduce material weight and enhance the ski’s manoeuvrability.

“A ski that grips and carves to a level far beyond what you’d expect”

The Fischer Ranger 102 FR’s nose is thinned out and bolstered with a carbon inlay for reduced swing weight, but high stability. Fischer’s Aeroshape – essentially concave – top sheet, increases the ski’s torsional stability, full sandwich sidewalls add responsiveness, and Fischer top off the ski’s construction with sintered bases for additional speed and base longevity.

What does all this tech do in practice? It forms a ski that grips and carves to a level far beyond what you’d expect of a 100mm freeride ski.

Fischer Ranger 102 FR Shaping

With its 102mm waist, Fischer are positioning the Ranger 102 FR in the one-ski-quiver market. Similar in shaping to the Bent Chetler 100 and Salomon QST, rocker-camber-rocker enables both float and grip, and guarantees the ski’s adaptability.

The Ranger 102 FR features a reasonably long and gradual nose rocker, designed to maintain contact between the ski’s base and the snow for added stability. Likewise, a smaller tail rocker enables the ski to remain steady in the back, whilst allowing for easy turn initiation. It also prevents tail hook ups in variable conditions.

“Its shaping points towards pow days and park hits”

Surprisingly, given Fischer’s background in alpine ski construction, the Fischer Ranger 102 FR is a twin tip (not quite a true twin, but the tail is nearly there). Whilst its construction gears the Ranger 102 FR towards high speed carves, its shaping points towards keeping things buttered in the soft.

Due to the ski’s directional and stiff flex, the Fischer Ranger 102 FR provides serious spring when hitting any sort of feature. Think the Bent Chetler 100, but stiffer and with better edge control.

Who Is The Fischer Ranger 102 FR For?

We can’t actually think of a person from intermediate ability upwards that the Fischer Ranger 102 FR isn’t for. It’s a ski of compromises: neither too light nor too heavy; neither too narrow nor too wide. It’s also a ski of paradoxes: stiff but playful; directional but twinned. The result is a remarkably versatile ski that ticks the boxes for a range of skiers on a range of terrain.

“We can’t actually think of a person from intermediate ability upwards that the Fischer Ranger 102 FR isn’t for”

Take the Fischer Ranger 102 FR on a hunt for untracked powder lines, for a trip through the treelines, for an afternoon park shred, or to rip the corduroy. If you’re a fan of hip to snow carves, but don’t want to be limited to the piste, the Fischer Ranger 102 offers you the best of all worlds. Fischer are making it clear that this ski performs wherever for whoever, whether you ski a 153cm or a 191cm, and whether you are team blue or team pink.

What Is The Fischer Ranger 102 FR Good At?

Playfulness: 8/10

Stability at Speed: 8/10

All Mountain Performance: 8/10

You May Also Like

Armada ARV 106 2020 – 2021 | Review

Line Vision 98 2020 – 2021 | Review

Newsletter Terms & Conditions

Please enter your email so we can keep you updated with news, features and the latest offers. If you are not interested you can unsubscribe at any time. We will never sell your data and you'll only get messages from us and our partners whose products and services we think you'll enjoy.

Read our full Privacy Policy as well as Terms & Conditions.

production