For expert skiers and racers who are looking for the best-possible on-trail performance without going full-on race ski, the 2024 Fischer Curv is the way to go. By blending a burly and stiff build with a slightly more friendly shape, the Curv is one of those skis that’ll make you wish you had the skills to match. Very few do, and that’s okay, the ski is relatively accessible for mortal skiers who spend most of their time on groomed and smooth terrain. While there’s not a ton of room for skis in the 70mm range, the application becomes quite specific. Carvers should flock to these skis in search of the perfect arc, and if they have the skills that they wish they had, that round turn will be totally attainable. Given Fischer’s history in making amazing racing skis, it’s no surprise that their precision and technology filters into the real world as well.

Built with a blend of beech and poplar in the wood core, the ski has a relatively light start to it. Other than the carbon applications, the lightness ends there. For carbon, we see a Diagowrap laminate which interlaces carbon stringers in cross-hatching diagonal formats. Additionally, the Carbon Bridge zone underfoot features horizontal carbon strips that stiffen the ski in a torsional manner. Without adding much weight, Fischer takes the stiffness of carbon and puts it to good use. The heft mainly comes from the use of .8mmtitanal laminates. These are race thickness, and they provide an absolute ton of power and dampness to the ski. They’re not light, so take that into account. The bindings get mounted to an M-Plate, which is what we see on the race skis, giving you extra leverage and the ability to put a real race binding on the ski. In the 178, the ski tips the scale at 2250 grams, so it’s on the hefty side for sure.

At 70 mm underfoot, the ski is narrow, but still not FIS narrow. This allows for a slightly better balance point for non-racers and makes it somewhat realistic to carve pure and clean turns on firm snow. When you get on softer snow, this can become a bit of a hindrance, as you simply dig in too much to get proper purchase and performance. When you’re on the hard pack, though, this thing will hold on tight to pretty much anything. The 178 produces a 16.5-meter turn radius, and that’s on the shorter side of the spectrum for a race ski, but right in the sweet spot for most on-trail sport carvers. With the feel of a race ski and a more friendly shape, more skiers will be able to access the entirety of the performance. With a wider shovel and a squared-off tail, this ski loves to come around and carve clean turns across the fall line.

Experts and racers will find the most to like about this ski. Advanced skiers may feel overmatched by the stiffness and weight, and that’s okay—there are other options that will provide a better starting point than these. The Curv is mainly reserved for the upper echelon of skiers who want the best in the world when it comes to on-trail carving performance. If you’re in that realm, we strongly recommend you take a square look at the remarkable Curv.