2025 Fischer Transalp 98 CTi

With a bit more efficiency and versatility than the wider Transalp 105 CTi, the 2025 Fischer Transalp 98 CTi is a returning ski for this year, bringing a lot of technology from existing Ranger and outgoing Hannibal into the mix. This Transalp 98 CTi falls more on the hybrid model of touring ski construction, focusing on blending strategic metal layers with light weight wood and fun-loving shapes. Fischer takes great care in providing the technology for the ski and the sophistication needed to blend uphill efficiency with downhill performance. Hannibal always felt like it belonged more in the touring-specific category, and while there were lighter skis still to be had, the outgoing hybrid ski had more of a pingy feel to it. Transalp 98 takes the smoothness and energy to the next level. There’s a lot more sophistication in these hybrid touring skis than a lot of other options on the market.

Paulownia wood in the core is the key here, offering light weight and stiff flex combining to make the ski energetic and reactive. Most skis that are touring oriented use either paulownia or karuba to lighten the load. We get carbon stringers that help stiffen the ski and give it energy. Most touring skis rely heavily on carbon, as the previous Hannibal had a lot, but the good ones—the ones that feel more like a freeride ski on the downhills—have some more smoothness to them. Shaped Ti, continuing with what we see in the Ranger line, brings metal into the touring fold. This layer is shorter and narrower than in the alpine skis, so it does shave some weight. At the same time, it adds dampness and power to the ski’s character which is very much needed when mixing light wood like paulownia and carbon stringers. In the 176, the ski sits on the scale at 1430 grams, which is right below the 1500-gram threshold that we normally associate with touring efficiency.

Because it’s 98 mm underfoot and with metal, though, that weight does get padded a bit. The shape of the ski borrows more from a downhill look with more rocker in the tips than the tails and a spoony shape in the shovel for smooth flotation. These skis are all about making it work in choppy, fresh, and soft snow conditions and they do that quite well. Most of the stability is found underfoot while the floaty aspect of the ski is found mainly in the tips. Like most touring skis, this 98 CTi gets a bit of a longer turn radius at 22-meters in the 176. This allows for straighter lines both uphill and downhill and more fun as a result. They won’t wing you into a turn and rocket you out, rather it’s up to the skier to dictate the shape, style, and duration of the turn. It works out better for touring skis this way.

We love the blend of shape, build, and profile. This 2025 Fischer Transalp 98 CTi is more of a specialty ski than a universal crowd pleaser. That’s okay, because it does what it does very well. We recommend pairing this ski with lighter weight accompaniments like tech bindings and light boots. This will maximize the touring potential and uphill efficiency. Save the heavy stuff for the resort. This versatile hybrid ski will take you wherever you want to go.