Fischer Progressor (2008)

I am just wondering if anyone here already skied this model. What are your experiences with these skis?

The review above your question is a compilation of several testers comments, skied in New England and in Eastern Canada. The Progressor is lighter feeling than some other Fischers and a great choice for front side skiers with well honed skills. That said, they respond quickly and the edge grip is top notch. Turn initiation is smooth, and the Progressor likes to be WAY up on edge, so the steeps are handled with ease and confidence. FUN and versatile.

Can someone that has skied both the AC30 and this ski compare them?

I skied bot the AC30 and the Progressor.

The Progessor wins for me hands down! What a smooth easy ski to ski. It just seams to turn itself. Tip your toe, and go. Ski them hard and you will have a blast. I also skied the volki AC40 and preferred the AC40 to the AC30.

Agree that Progressor was fabulous.  did not like either AC 40 or 30.  Not in same league.  Just skied them this past weekend.  I just wonder given narrowness of Progressor, how it would perform on non groomed stuff.  I am thinking about buying them, but am concerned that we get so much fresh powder in Utah, that I will need a second pair of wider skis.  They were very smooth from edge to edge.  The Vokli’s seemed to catch edges and I felt out of balance with them. I also skied the Blizzards and liked it.  I think it is 79mm, compared to 70mm on the fischers.

I tested a bunch last of skis, and this one blew them all away.  I holds an edge and was great in the deep crud. everything else was way too slow.

So yeah, It’s a race ski essentally, alot like the dozens of racing skis I’ve used over the years. But it’s so versitile! The progressor has the turn-in of my Fischer SL 155’s yet has the high speed stablity of my GS 180’s. They’re deligful and strong on hardpack, but they hate crud of any kind. They’re gnarly fun for the experenced skier, but you still have to manage it closely, or it’ll kill you.

I demoed a pair this week.  Excellent ski.  Heavy, but once you get them to speed, they perform.  Super on the steeps.  Carves a clean arc, regardless of speed.  Very stable and easy to control.  Not for the faint of heart.  This ski requires good technique, and aggresive stance.  Highly recommended, but not for the smaller or lightweight skier. This may become a “legend” ski, right up there with the Dynamic VR17 and VR27.  Anyone remember those days?

I spent a few hors in some “eastern powder” on these and they were were very smooth in and a little snap out of the turn. Quite a bit less energy used com[pared to my Fischer SL’s. What are some additional thoughts on these now the season is rolling?

I tested a pair and bought them a week later. A super ski, excellent on ice as well. I am a former racer but is more skiing with my family now. Occasionally I get to go really fast and tough. Progressor likes all different speeds and kicks back really well if you push them a bit. Do agree that this ski might be a legend. This ski offers all what skiing is about. Untested outside the slope though.

Can someone help me with length.  I’ve dont know which length to get, 170 or 165.  I’m 5’10 235 and an expert skier.  I currently ski on a Volkl 10 foot without the switch (too soft)  I was thinking of getting the 12 foot with the power switch but changed me mind because I wanted a ski that was different.  So now im down to the progressor but would like to know what length is recommended, 170 or 165?  Thanks of the input.

I happen to work for a Ski Shop here in Whistler that demos Fishers skis, therefore had plently of chances to ski Progressors in various lenght (170, 175 and 180) and let me tell you, this is the best “groomer” ski I have ever skied, hands down !

Its a heavy ski that requires POWER and WEIGHT to ski, but shorter lenghts will do for less atheltic and lighter skiers. Notice the different Radius for every lenght : they are actually very different skis !

170 : short and fun, 15m radius, perfect for carving medium turns on crowded runs, massive grip on ice, suits anybody above 150 pounds in decent shape

175 : feels longer thant it actually is, 16m radius, perfect to rip wider turns on wide open runs, absolutly incredible grip on hard surfaces. Its heavy and burly, requires good carving skills and need for speed. If you are under 160 pound and out of shape, forget it, ski the 170 !

180 : hardcore is the only word I can come up with. 17m radius. At 150 pounds and top shape, I really had to ski fast fast fast to get this ski to carve. Anybody under 200 pounds will need a lot of space and speed to carve turns with it. Sound like a GS ski to me ! Fun, but if you live on the East coast, you’ll end up at the bottom way to fast !

Bottom line : a very “progressive” line of ski for the advanced and expert looking for the highest performing non FIS ski available today. Takes a while geeting used to and worth trying different lenghts ! Definetly not a ski testers can test in “just a few runs”...

The Progressor costs EUR 399 ($587) with bindings and less if you can take off the value added tax of 19% in Germany. They ship to USA.  http://www.sport-conrad.com/index.asp?disp=kategorie&kat_id=47

FYI. 

Initiates like a slalom and finishes like a GS.  Skied it on Blackcomb for several days and bought a pair.  Good snow so had them in the bumps, groomed, steeps, etc.  Handled everything but not really good in the crud.  They like to run.  Unless you are on your game, stay with the 170’s or below and you will be pleased.

very snappy aggressive and fun ski - excellent edge holding and carving on hard pack - hard to handle in the bumps - very stiff - most fun ski I have demoed this year - will likely buy a pair 165cm for 5foot 8 inch 160 pounds

Looking at getting a hard core all mountain ride, and thoughts between Solomon XW Fury vs RC4 Progressor?

Greetings

Has any body tried out the Fischer RC4 Progressor in deap snow? I ski a par of Fischer RC4 SC 160 cm (I love them in slaom and moguls) and are looking for a second pair of skis for higer speed, of pist and ‘simple giant slalom’ races

brgds

Peter

Just got back from a week in Utah, demo’d the RC4 on a groomer day.  What a freaking animal! 

I ran the 180, and had the shop wax and sharpen them.  I’m 5’11”-220 and an extremely aggresive skier, and they were still a lot for me to handle.  You have to stay on top of them at all times, but you can lay them over f-a-r…  If your under 200, forget it.  This ski will kick your butt all over the place, no matter how strong you are. 

To asnwer the post above, they stink in the crud, so probably not so good in the deep snow.

Hi

Thank you. It seems like i should skip the Progressor. 80 kg (178 Pounds), 49 years old, resonable well fit, skis aprox 20 days per year.

I have to look for something else then. Brgds Peter

Brian, I’m sure you have skied both. How do they compare? I’m 6 foot tall and 225. Very agressive and have been skiing Fischers World Cup SL.

Hi,

Is there any differences between these two model years or is it same skies ?

brgds Markku

I am a 6’1”, 190lb agressive skier that likes to go fast.  Do you recommend the 175 or 180?

Hi,

I am a 6.3 and 205. Skied them in Kitzbuhl in March. Great ski and awesome down the Streif, I am buying the 175.

Cheers

I am 6.1 and 215 lb very fit and and ski fast and agressive I own 175 and love them. You can ski them as hard and fast as you want. I haven’t skied the 180 but think the 175 would be ideal for you.

How does this compare to the Worldcup SL?

I am 70 years old, 5’11”, l70lbs.  I ski l75’s and they are the easiest, quickest, most fun skiis I have ever skiied.  They also handle soft crud really well. Does anyone know where to find the factory side and bottom edge angles?

1 degree base 3 degree side… standard fischer.

Me: 6’2” 240 on 175’s.

The easiest ski I have ever skied.  They willingly did everything I told them to do. 

Using Progressor boots also, makes pivotting these skis downright easy.

Railing these skis is just as simple.

They showed little preference between pivotted or carved turns.  How you ski them is up to you.

Got my pair in late ‘08 after demo-ing several brands—did not try the AC30’s but was told the progressors very close—-this is a great ski; handles so well down the fall line—no worry that the edge will break away on hardpack (eastern skiing)-get a pair!

I bought a pair new in March 2009, and the skis first hit the snow this season. My initial impressions are that the Progressor 9 is just about the perfect cruiser. You really do not have to work too hard for the turn if you have reasonably good skiing skills. The Progressor is smooth, damp and fast enough for most. Varying turn radius is easy with the dual sidecut. The wide footprint makes it super stable. Would be an ok NASTAR ski for an average ski racer looking for a ski that will inspire confidence and to improve, although I am afraid its not quite a full bore racing machine like the skis in the Fischer racing group. (Just lacks the extra gear, or does not quite make your eyes really water up at the top end like a GS ski.) I will still qualify these as outstanding cruisers. Go long- 175 or 180 cm for a smoother flex. The shorter lengths I think will feel stiffer to most with the flowflex plate on it. That was my impression when I took a run on a 165 cm pair. The 175 cm feels just right to me for the both ski flex and turn radii it likes. Real big guys will have no problem piloting a 180 cm. Oh, and the 2010’s seem cooler with the scratch resistant tops, but not sure if there is any bias in how the new ones skis. For those who really need more adrenaline, speed and do the beer leagues- get the Fischer RC hole….

Absolutely fantastic skis. I am a confident intermediate but I do weigh about 16 stone so i found them far better than any other ski I have ever worn worn. but you cannot afford to go easy on them or they will take over. Did nearly every run in the ski-welt area and a bit of rough stuff between runs. Importantly they gave me the confidence to improve my skiing .They are on my xmas list for this year.

Still using this ski and love it for almost everything. On groomers It turns way easy and stays stable until very high speeds. 5’10” 175# skiing 175cm. Main shortfall is high end speed limit if you do Super G turns on fast groomers. This is my 2nd favorite ski. I preferred the old RX9 for high speed and crud stability. Very interested to hear if 2011 progressor 10 has higher speed limit.