The Fischer Drought

[randoskier]

I talked to a Fischer retailer who mentioned that whoever Fischer contracted with to make their skis wasn't given the full recipe. They withheld some of their proprietary information. So when their factory is back running again (Which sounds like they are close) I wonder if the skis will change again, back to what they were before. this is third hand information so not verifiable but if so it is an interesting situation.

Anyone with a saw can see their full recipe. That sounds dubious.

Their wood could well be different because because Fischer Ukraine was a tree to ski factory. Then again you can transport wood and I doubt the forests in Czech are so very different than the Ukrainian ones.

This is a good training exercise for Fischer now they can move their production rapidly when the Ukraine is over-run from the East.

[randoskier]

Fischer has a long history with Atomic re Nordic touring skis-
Over the years- and decades- there have been many Fischer/Atomic touring skis that are identical.

(Same is true for Fischer/Rossi and apparently recently Fischer/Alpina)

Fischer was manufacturing the Alpina skis in the Ukraine factory that does not necessarily mean they had anything to do with developing them. Then again that is possible, but the Discovery 80 does not resemble any Fischer ski and the new Alpina Discovery is clearly nothing like anything Fischer has ever put out.

My Madshus Eons (relabeled Karhru) are made in China (K2 factory) not by Madshus in Scandinavia, all those brands are owned by K2.

There is a ski boot factory in my neighboring province of Treviso that reportedly makes the majority of all the plastic ski boots in the world, regardless of brand.

Almost all the leather hiking and ski boot manufacturers in Italy (with the exception of Alico and Zamberlain, my neighbors) moved their production to Eastern Europe (or Asia for their textile models) which is a short supply-chain with easy communication for prototyping and production management and no sea voyages. However many of the boot components are still made in Italy- Vitale Bramini's sole (Vibram) in Varese and the Perwanger leather tannery which is about15 minutes from my home.

With the advent of the EU and EEA Europe is so tightly integrated that it is nearly seamless, people and goods flow across borders without any restraints (well did until Covid). For me to drive to France or Austria or Slovenia is no different from an American driving from California to Oregon. Workers do not need visas to work in other European countries. So whether a ski factory is in Austria or the Czech Republic is largely meaningless. There are no customs barriers. I do not have to stop at the border on the autostrada, it is just like crossing the NY-Nj state line on an Interstate.

This chart below applies mainly to Alpine skis but it is the same idea. Maybe someone can make one for Nordic skis. The accompanying article talks about pros and cons of OEM etc.

[randoskier]

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[Woodserson]

Alpina and Fischer have, in the past, made skis that are identical. The SBound 78 and older Discovery 80 are absolutely identical except for the waxless pattern. I'm talking to the gram, and measured with calipers. Atomic makes a bunch of skis. My "new and improved" Fischer Power's which have absolutely nothing in common with the ski from last year or what is described in this years manual are made in Bulgaria, which I surmise to be Atomic, as they have a factory there. My Vantage 85's and Black Crows were made there. I think this year's Power's are just a re-skinned Atomic ski for the time being. I would love to verify but no one has any inventory any more.

Many to most BC XC skis are made by Sporten in Czechia, I'm almost positive Asnes is made in this factory to their own specs. A lot of the guts are probably by license, and the re-skins are done on agreement. I am willing to bet they all scratch each others backs to a certain degree when shit hits the fan, such as the Factory Fire.

[chris_the_wrench]

-My S-Bound 98's I got in a 179, which is finally in my weight range, and I have zero glide. I only use them for vertical climbing and turning back down.

What bindings/boots are running on your sbound 98s?

[Woodserson]

3pin cable but often with no cable
Alaska/Antarctics

Great ski. I had 189 but too stiff. Good kick and glide but poor turning. Sold to my buddy, he loves it. Got the 179, too soft for any glide, the ski just stops. Riel has a pair at 189 that is softer than mine... Same model/topsheet. Who the hell knows.

[randoskier]

Alpina and Fischer have, in the past, made skis that are identical. The SBound 78 and older Discovery 80 are absolutely identical except for the waxless pattern. I'm talking to the gram, and measured with calipers. Atomic makes a bunch of skis. My "new and improved" Fischer Power's which have absolutely nothing in common with the ski from last year or what is described in this years manual are made in Bulgaria, which I surmise to be Atomic, as they have a factory there. My Vantage 85's and Black Crows were made there. I think this year's Power's are just a re-skinned Atomic ski for the time being. I would love to verify but no one has any inventory any more.

Many to most BC XC skis are made by Sporten in Czechia, I'm almost positive Asnes is made in this factory to their own specs. A lot of the guts are probably by license, and the re-skins are done on agreement. I am willing to bet they all scratch each others backs to a certain degree when shit hits the fan, such as the Factory Fire.

"except for the waxless pattern- that is a pretty big "except".

[Woodserson]

Alpina and Fischer have, in the past, made skis that are identical. The SBound 78 and older Discovery 80 are absolutely identical except for the waxless pattern. I'm talking to the gram, and measured with calipers. Atomic makes a bunch of skis. My "new and improved" Fischer Power's which have absolutely nothing in common with the ski from last year or what is described in this years manual are made in Bulgaria, which I surmise to be Atomic, as they have a factory there. My Vantage 85's and Black Crows were made there. I think this year's Power's are just a re-skinned Atomic ski for the time being. I would love to verify but no one has any inventory any more.

Many to most BC XC skis are made by Sporten in Czechia, I'm almost positive Asnes is made in this factory to their own specs. A lot of the guts are probably by license, and the re-skins are done on agreement. I am willing to bet they all scratch each others backs to a certain degree when shit hits the fan, such as the Factory Fire.

"except for the waxless pattern- that is a pretty big "except".

Offtrack Crown is Fischer’s proprietary pattern, but the ski is the same. Both skis would behave and feel the same, and be used in the same application, it would be useless to parse details other than the functionality of the grip pattern. That’s the only statement I’m trying to make…I’m not sure what your beef is, here, exactly?

[randoskier]

Alpina and Fischer have, in the past, made skis that are identical. The SBound 78 and older Discovery 80 are absolutely identical except for the waxless pattern. I'm talking to the gram, and measured with calipers. Atomic makes a bunch of skis. My "new and improved" Fischer Power's which have absolutely nothing in common with the ski from last year or what is described in this years manual are made in Bulgaria, which I surmise to be Atomic, as they have a factory there. My Vantage 85's and Black Crows were made there. I think this year's Power's are just a re-skinned Atomic ski for the time being. I would love to verify but no one has any inventory any more.

Many to most BC XC skis are made by Sporten in Czechia, I'm almost positive Asnes is made in this factory to their own specs. A lot of the guts are probably by license, and the re-skins are done on agreement. I am willing to bet they all scratch each others backs to a certain degree when shit hits the fan, such as the Factory Fire.

"except for the waxless pattern- that is a pretty big "except".

Offtrack Crown is Fischer’s proprietary pattern, but the ski is the same. Both skis would behave and feel the same, and be used in the same application, it would be useless to parse details other than the functionality of the grip pattern. That’s the only statement I’m trying to make…I’m not sure what your beef is, here, exactly?

No beef at all, but one of the major selling points of the Fischer Traverse is its climbing ability which I saw demonstrated in a dramatic fashion during my Swedish tour last year. That climbing ability is the principal reason I decided to buy the Fischer Traverse or Excursion this year, otherwise I would not even buy new skis this year, as I am happy with the Madshus Eon in all other respects.

[Woodserson]

No beef at all, but one of the major selling points of the Fischer Traverse is its climbing ability which I saw demonstrated in a dramatic fashion during my Swedish tour last year. That climbing ability is the principal reason I decided to buy the Fischer Traverse or Excursion this year, otherwise I would not even buy new skis this year, as I am happy with the Madshus Eon in all other respects.

Ok I misunderstood. Apologies.

Yes they are fantastic climbers. I love mine. Fischer knocks the waxless stuff out of the park.