Fischer

Overview – The most successful brand on the world cup by far, Fischer earned more World Cup points than all other brands combined for the 2011 season. Enough said.

Combinations­ – Fischer utilizes two different molds (shapes) and two different base materials for both skate and classic. Although in many parts of the world technicians prefer the warm base (the 28 base) as the most universal solution, in Canada the cold base (the A5 base) is preferable. Go figure – it’s cold here! That being said, it is possible to find excellent plus skis for cold conditions.

The Fischer Skier – There is a reason that Fischer is the most used brand on the World Cup: the skis are extremely universal and work for a wide range of styles. If you know that you want skis but don’t know what you want, it is safe to say that you will be comfortable on Fischer.

Fischer Skate Skis

*610/611 (universal conditions) – The most universal of Fischer’s skate skis, this model can be picked to handle extreme cold through to slush. A firm finish and low action creates excellent free glide but not a lot of energy response. This is easily the most used skate ski on the World Cup, in all conditions.

*115 (hard conditions) – The high point of the 115 model is further forward than the 610, which creates more tension in the forebody under load. The additional tension creates excellent stability and this ski is at its best in hard, transformed snow.

Fischer Classic Skis

*812  (all conditions) – Fischer’s standby classic ski tends to have a lot of variability and can be found with significantly different stiffness, action, and pocket shape. The combination of these characteristics means that the skis can be picked for anything from cold hardwax through to klister, but each pair must be evaluated individually.

This model tends to have a certain amount of residual camber, which can provide superior running speed in almost all conditions without compromising grip. The shape of the pocket means that the athlete does not have to have a forceful kick to close the skis, but it is really crucial to get the weight forward onto the ball of the foot.

*902 (plus conditions) – Increased camber height, significant residual camber, and considerable tip and tail splay make these skis an excellent choice for warm hardwax and klister conditions. An excellent addition to a fleet with multiple pairs, however this ski is not a good choice as a single pair solution in Edmonton.