The latest ski from Fischer is an extension of the Curv family of carving skis introduced last season. The Curv GT is considerably wider than the original Curvs, narrow Technical models all, but by proportionately expanding the tip and tail more than the waist, it retains a similar sidecut radius to the Curv DTX, albeit with a cross-hill turn finish instead of the more fall-line orientation of the first Curvs.

For Fischer fans who follow the brand’s fortunes, The Curv GT will bring back memories of the early Progressors. Fischer has a long-standing commitment to the Carving category, going back to the days when the brand first embraced the concept of shaped skis.

Its experimentation with deep sidecuts has resulted in mastery of World Cup slalom construction, knowledge that always bleeds into consumer products at some point. The triple radius sidecut that dictates the skis’ on-edge trajectory is a product of years of experience making skis that turn fast at high speed without spinning out.

The Curv connection to the World Cup isn’t just marketing puffery. The line was developed with the hands-on collaboration of three renowned Fischer pilots: Mike Von Grünigen, Kristian Ghedina and Hans Knauss. The flared tail on the Curv GT accentuates the decisive turn finish without bleeding speed. As Stephanie Humes of Jan’s sums it up, the Curv GT is “powerful, a race ski with a 80mm waist.”

“Powerful” is a common lead-in on a Curv GT test card, to wit: “Powerful, wonderfully lively, great rebound. Go all in and it goes all in with you.” And, “Powerful yet surprisingly forgiving when backed off. A pure skier’s ski.” Or as we might choose to re-phrase it, a Realskiers’ ski.