Fischer’s Ranger series of off-trail skis is split into two distinct camps.  Those with a “Ti” suffix include two sheets of Titanal that deliver the enhanced edge grip and shock damping that are the hallmarks of the aluminum alloy. Those with “FR” in their name use fiberglass as the main structural component, with a dash of carbon in the tip to lower swingweight and buffer the forebody. Without metal to calm them down, the FR series ski considerably looser than their Ti cousins, tipping their terrain preference to the soft side.

When it has a little cushion of snow to push against, the skier can compress the camber pocket underfoot, loading its fiberglass laminates so they recoil off the edge with enough energy to carry the skier across the fall line.  Deep snow fills the gaps under its double-rockered baseline, stabilizing the entire chassis.  All the skier needs to do is initiate a mid-radius rhythm down the fall line and the Ranger 102 FR will take over from there.

The Ranger 102 FR’s frisky attitude is perfect for the Finesse skier who doesn’t want to plow through pow on a metal-laden battleship but prefers to playfully pounce in and out of it.  An outward sign of its inner desire to let its freak flag fly is a twin-tipped baseline that would rather drift over snow than drive through it. A big sweet spot that’s easy to balance on makes it simple for skiers of any skill set to keep up with Ranger 102 FR’s smooth moves.

While some of our test crew lauded its hard-snow performance, others felt its best behavior was reserved for powder days. Because its temperament is on the easy-going side, it’s a forgiving ride for the skier making his or her first forays off the beaten path.

Fischer offers a women’s version of the Ranger 102 FR, but the only adaptation made for women is the color of its vivid pink topskin. Given that the 102 FR is a fairly soft ski, you might think women might like it more than men.

That might be the case if the women were of average ability, but our female test pilots consisted mostly of PSIA Level 3 instructors and coaches, whose stance on their skis is indistinguishable from a man’s. They simply overpowered the Ranger 102 FR.  When I first met Meghan Ochs on a Mt. Rose chairlift, she was conducting a clinic for some instructor wannabes on a pair of Fischer race skis, which gives you an idea of what she normally uses for free-skiing. When she drove into the soft forebody of the Ranger 102 FR, she folded it like it was laundry. The way she described its loose suspension was one of the more memorable lines of last spring’s test session: “This ski is the equivalent of working out without a sports bra!”

It’s unreasonable to expect anyone who charges as hard as Ms. Ochs to appreciate a ski whose specialty is smoothing out rough snow under a relatively light rein. But for women – or men – who want a proficient powder ski that puts the accent on ease of operation, the Ranger 102 FR is worthy of your consideration.

For its gentle yet energetic disposition, we award the returning Ranger 102 FR a Silver Skier Selection.