2023 Fischer Ranger 102

Fischer made an interesting call in revamping their beloved Ranger 102 FR. The new ski is built and shaped a bit differently, a little more directional, yet they somehow occupy the same space in both the catalog and on the mountain. Built with a poplar wood core with full sidewalls, the Ranger 102 has a single sheet of shaped titanal to give it power and dampness. That .5-mm thick metal extends towards the tips and tails of the ski, providing great edge grip and torsional stiffness on the groomers, while leaving the ends of the skis floatier and more playful, as they’re unencumbered by that metal laminate. Skiers get the best of all worlds with this ski, and since the shape didn’t really change all that much, it’s really just the build that got a bit more sophisticated. With more of a turned-up tail than the narrower skis in the line, it’s hard to deny the freestyle implications, but this still remains more of an all-mountain/freeride ski for advanced and expert skiers who do not want limitations placed on their skis. In the 183 cm length, the skis generate a 19-meter turn radius and tip the scales at 2050 grams per ski. This is on the heavier and longer side of the spectrum for skis without full sheets of metal, so it’s going to make the ski smooth and agile. It’s difficult to discuss this ski without viewing it through the lens of the outgoing 102 FR, but we’d imagine that if that ski never existed, we’d all still be pretty stoked on this 2023 Fischer Ranger 102.

Bob St.Pierre skied the 183, and noted that “it felt true to size—I'd likely size up for my own pair but these were great.” He scored it a 3 for flotation, and then all 4’s across the board the rest of the way, indicating that these are not only versatile, but also high-performance. He states that “This is a very smooth performer in any and all conditions and terrain. I really think this is a versatile ski that is both forgiving and high-octane--a great blend of attributes. Wide enough for softer snow, but still pretty darn agile and quick for when the turns demand. This is a great ski for here in Vermont where we see a lot of different stuff even in the same run. Not quite as powerful as the outgoing 99Ti, but I would say it's more playful than the 102 FR, so it does a good job of splitting the difference and creating something new and cool.” Brad Shauerman also skied the 183, and noted it was true to size. He scored it 4’s out of 5 for flotation, stability, and forgiveness, noting that “these skis seemed a little less stiff in the front than the 96. Also, less snappy and playful but still a fun ski for a variety of conditions. This ski did a pretty good job of holding an edge but definitely washed out more than the 96. I would like to try these in some more snow. They felt very stable and easy to make all types of turns. definitely a do whatever you want type of ski.”

Matt McAlary skied the 176, and while that may have been a bit short for him, he did note it was true to size. He scored it 5’s out of 5 for overall impression and versatility, with 4’s for torsional stiffness, edge hold, forgiveness, playfulness, flotation, and stability. Matt states that “Yeah this ski doesn’t suck. Ski of the day for me. Not too much else to say. Rips turns, releases easy, not too heavy, stable but playful enough to have fun anywhere. Great ski for advanced to expert skiers that want ultimate versatility.” Dana Allen has been a 102 FR skier for a few years so it’s great to get his feedback. Amazingly, he doesn’t even reference it in his comments, which is a great testament to his impartiality for reviewing skis. Dana states about his 183: “This Ski is a super strong candidate for an East Coast daily driver, or really any coast. Versatile, stable, able to rail turns, and fairly playful for a directional ski. Definitely a good on mountain ski and would also be a decent backcountry ski, if I touch a heavier than some other offerings. Overall, husky that I would definitely buy for regular use. And the color is pretty freaking fly.”

It’s tough to replace such a storied and well-loved ski as the Ranger 102 FR, and we think Fischer has done a great job in that regard. Thanks to the existing shape, the new construction, and the re-tooled profile, the 2023 Fischer Ranger 102 is a great option for either a one-ski quiver for those who want a slightly wider ski, or a soft-snow specialist for those who ski mainly in low-snow zones and are looking for a complementary option.