The Excursion 88 from Fischer is designed for adventurous XC skiers who like to spend their time making their own tracks through backcountry terrain and other un-groomed, off-trail scenarios. Skis like this have come a long way in recent years. They’re lighter, they’re more responsive, and they feel more stable too. Fischer uses a wood core that’s relatively lightweight, while providing a supportive flex pattern. Full-length metal edges give you excellent grip even on icy, firm terrain. You’re always in control on the Excursion 88 no matter where you take it. Fischer even integrates some rocker into the tip of the ski, giving it more float in soft snow conditions as well as a more intuitive, user-friendly feel on challenging descents. Too wide for groomed classic tracks, but that’s far from their intention.
Jeff Neagle got to take the Excursion 88 into some sidecountry/backcountry terrain at Trapp Family Lodge and really enjoyed their performance. He gave the Excursion 88 high scores for stability, grip, and overall impression. “The Excursion 88 is a lot of fun. I really like the way it feels off trail. It’s not too stiff, which helps in variable and rolling terrain. I took it through some of the snow shoe trails and found it had a nice blend of feeling light and maneuverable, but also stable and trustworthy.” Jeff also mentioned that he has a similar pair of skis in his ski quiver, and that he uses them more than he initially thought he would. “Skis like this are great. Some days, I’m just not sure what I want to do, but I know I want to be on skis. It’s so easy for me to just go into my garage, grab a wide XC ski, and go have some fun. I find myself enjoying the moment rather than worrying about how fast I’m going or whether I’m going to beat everyone on the skin track to that stash of fresh powder. It’s just skiing, and it’s just fun.”
CONSTRUCTION
Offtrack Crown Base
PREFERRED TERRAIN
Jeff makes a really interesting and valid point. A ski like the Excursion 88 isn’t chasing any superlatives. It’s not the widest ski for deep snow, it’s not the fastest ski on groomed tracks, but it’s a lot of fun. It gives you the ability to go explore new terrain and make your own trails, which is a very rewarding experience, and Fischer’s Offtrack Crown waxless base system works really well in a variety of snow conditions, so you’re never stuck at home due to bad snow.
Fischer also makes an optional add-on skin system for skiers that are planning on using the Excursion 88 for more demanding ascents. From cruising around your backyard to long, adventurous trips into the backcountry, the Excursion 88 from Fischer can be enjoyed by a wide range of skiers.
