2027 Fischer Ranger 90

The 2027 Fischer Ranger 90 is a well-rounded all-mountain ski that is a carryover model from last year. It works well off-trail but happens to excel in an on-trail format. Most of us spend most of our time on the groomers anyway, so it’s nice to have a ski that can stand up to the rigors of a purely carved turn, even after ripping down a bump line or through the trees. The Ranger 90 has bumped up on our list as a fantastic option for a one-ski quiver for intermediate through expert skiers. By combining fantastic rebound with a solid feel, these Ranger 90’s are prime examples of true all-mountain skis. The energy, stability, and predictability are all first-rate.

The Ranger 90 is built with a poplar wood core to deliver light weight energy. The core is as electric as it is stable, and that gives the Ranger a lovely sense of balance at a range of different speeds and in a variety of conditions and terrain. On top of the poplar core, Fischer implements their Shaped Ti 0.5 metal laminate. In the narrower Ranger skis, this metal laminate extends further into the tips and tails to create more of an on-trail character. In this 90, the metal follows the sides to the front of the ski while remaining full-width underfoot except the Flex-Cut zone in the middle of the ski. These V-shaped cuts from the edge to the middle allow for more proper flexion of the ski and a more natural feeling overall. In the 177 cm length, this build results in an 1850 gram per ski weight, keeping it light enough to be maneuverable while the heft is plentiful for dampness and power. It certainly feels sturdy on the feet. Matt Stromecki calls it a “Super versatile ski to take you anywhere on the mountain with confidence. It is a jack of all trades and a master of none. It can carve pretty well but also has the maneuverability to take you off trail without hesitation. It isn't the cleanest carver, nor the most intuitive in the trees, but it does both well enough to cover all the bases you need it to. It's fairly stable and stout but not punishing. The initiation phase isn't the most predictable, but once it hooks up, it's pretty darn good.”

We talk a lot about skis in the ~90 mm range as working great for here in Vermont as they do have the capacity to be used in a multivalent manner. The profile and footprint make it easy for skiers to turn the ski in a meaningful way regardless of speed or direction. The 90 mm waist in the 177 is bookended by a 124 mm tip and 114 mm tail to create a 17-meter turn radius. This mid-range shape is great for mixing it up between on-trail carves and softer snow smears. It’s not that hooky or catchy, mainly because the rocker profile and taper shape make the ski lean to the freeride side of the spectrum. The ski ends up being pretty floaty and fun in the powder, while retaining its stability and strength in an on-piste format. While Fischer certainly makes both better carvers as well as better floaters, there aren’t many skis out there that have a better mix of the two. Tester Megan Papineau states: “She’s fun! The ranger isn’t maybe a standout for me, but she’s a fun reliable groomer ski who can handle ice but also quick enough on and off the edge to handle quick unexpected terrain. She’s a great gentle all mountain ski.”

It’ll be interesting to see where Fischer goes with the Ranger 90 as it’s been unchanged for a few seasons now. While the carving abilities are good for the width, it doesn’t mean that this ski is a pure on-piste ski by any stretch. This ski does a whole lot of things reasonably well, and that makes it a no-brainer for a huge number of skiers from a daily driver's standpoint. It’s an intuitive ski that’ll go where it’s asked with little to no hesitation, making it one of the more innate skis on the planet, and suitable for a wide range of skiers looking to get into it all. Over the years, our testers have spoken highly of the ski’s ability to shape shift in order to fit the need at hand.