2022 Fischer Ranger 94 FR W

The 2022 Fischer Ranger 94 FR in the color Purple is built the same way as the Grey, but we’ll include it in the ladies’ portion of the ski test. Feedback between the two colors is totally interchangeable. At 94 mm underfoot, we’re right in the sweet spot for a versatile all-mountain ski, and one that should certainly be in the discussion for a one-ski quiver. At this width, you can float through powder, carve on hard pack, and use them in a freestyle setting in the park or in the backcountry. There’s no limit to what these skis can do, and they’re surprisingly agile and grippy, mostly thanks to Fischer’s use of a wood core with air channels milled out. They also use titanal mounting plates for binding retention, but a happy by-product of those plates is that they increase torsional stiffness and edge grip as well. The carbon nose is thin and light and on the stiffer side, so it does float well, but also has some energy and power for strong turn initiation on the firmer snow of the hill. We’ve put a lot of happy skiers on these skis over the years, as they seem to have no limit to what they can do, save for a race-like turn on the hardest ice, or the flotation through three feet of snow, but for most normal ski conditions and terrain, these are an absolute blast.

Louise Lintilhac skied both the 177 and the 169, noting their trueness to size. She gave top marks of 5’s out of 5 for stability, torsional stiffness, edge hold, and overall impression, with the rest of her scores as all 4’s. A wonderful, high-end scorecard for Louise, highlighting the well-rounded nature of these amazing 94’s. Louise notes that “This ski is a charging machine. I tried both the 177 and 169, and definitely gravitate toward the bigger size. The 169 was snappy and fast, a good pick for someone looking for a nimble, quick turner through crud that can still hold an edge. However, I found the end range of the turning radius fast with the 169. With the 177 I was able to both get the ski easily on edge and also get it up to speed. This ski strikes a prime balance of stability and playfulness. I did not find the speed limit and it planed over the crud like a high-powered cigarette boat. When I needed to shift things down though, it accommodated no problem. This ski is great for advanced skiers who want a ski that can lay trenches and speed over chop from bell to bell.” With a lighter ski like this, if you’re in-between, it sounds like Louise would recommend sizing up, especially if you’re looking for more charging stability at speed.

Nifer Hoehn would agree, as her 169 cm test length ski felt a bit short for her. She’d likely gravitate to the 177 as well. Forgiveness and versatility were her low marks of 3 out of 5, with the rest of her scorecard having all 4’s, showing a consistently high scoring, and reinforcing the notion that these are great one-ski quiver options. “These skied really nicely, despite being one of the last pair I tested on a warm, mashed potato day. They have a lot of the qualities I enjoyed about the Ranger 102, but are a little more playful and livelier, while also being more authoritative and robust. They have a nice and lively energy coming out of the turn, and carry that into the initiation of the next. They are easy to get on edge, float well, but are solid and powerful, and have nice stability throughout the turn. I would recommend these for the intermediate to advanced skier who wants an all-mountain ski that doesn't get stuck in the groomer rut. These can handle the corduroy, but want to flirt with everything the mountain has to offer.” The combination of easy and strong is one of the defining characteristics of this ski, and we’re all about it.

While this ski has a wide-range of options in terms of versatility, conditions, and terrain, it also has the same spread when it comes to skier ability. Intermediates should know that it is on the stiffer side—especially in the shovel, but that the lighter weight of the ski helps to counter-act that stiffness. Advanced and expert skiers who ski in any and all types of snow or trails will love the well-roundedness and the clear-cut versatility of these wonderful all-mountain rippers.