By Brand

Fischer Watea 84 Skis

Update by Jim....late March '08

I've had the chance to ski a lot of different 50/50 skis this winter and spring and the Watea 84 is emerging as one of my favorites. Within the 50/50 category there are some skis that have a bit of a bias toward hard snow (such as the Volkl AC-30 and Nordica Jet Fuel) The 84 shades its bias a bit toward softer snow. Like most Fischers the characteristics of energy vs dampness, grip vs. forgiveness, are superbly balanced. While the 84 is comfortable on hard surfaces, it is not super grippy. Rather, it is most at home in the mixed conditions found in the off trail. This is among the best of the 50/50 skis in moguls. Most good skiers of average size and ability will prefer the 176. This size would be great for an ambitious intermediates first 50/50 ski. For my weight and preferred speeds, I like the 176 a lot but would buy the 184.

Dennis says: The line between the 50/50 and the freeride categories is getting blurred. Fischer's Watea 84 could be considered a wide 50/50 or a narrow freeride ski depending on how one looks at it. On one hand, the Watea uses the sandwich sidewall construction that Fischer uses for its race skis that help give it great edge grip on the groomers. On the other hand, the progressive flex in unison with its shape gives it a great off piste versatility. I weigh 170 pounds, and if I were to choose a length, I would choose the 176.

Tyler Says:
For those of you out there that are worried about having a 50/50 ski that doesnt have edge grip look no more. I have spend numerous hours on this ski and have found it to be an amazingly versatile product. No matter if you are ski in a foot of broken snow or if your spending a day on nothing but groomers the Watea 84 is an awesome ski. Fischer uses some technology that few other manufactures use a full wood core with two carbon I-Beams that allows the ski to not only provide performance but a damp and stable feel as well.

**Note this ski is sold flat, bindings are not included**

Fischer Binding Setups
We sell the Watea 84 without bindings. Many off trail skiers prefer not to have plated integrated ski and binding systems because and integrated systems make off trail skis feel twitchy. Recommended bindings are Look PX12, Salomon Z12 B85, and Rossignol Axial2 120 Pro.