Fischer RC One GT 86
Dimensions: 130-86-116
Radius: 17m@175cm
Sizes: 161, 168, 175, 182
Size tested: 175
Design: All New
The Fischer RC One GT 86 has a mouthful of a name; an accomplished skier could make it down the better part of some ski trails before saying the whole thing. There is no question that we have been impressed with Fischer's offerings of the past few years, especially those that say "RC" on them. These are some of the best-finished skis in both appearance and construction, and the new GT 86 is no exception. From the textured topskin to the jeweler-like precision of the bevel, this ski stands out on the rack and on the slopes.
Okay, so this all-new Fisher has a pretty face. There are a lot of pretty faces, but how does it ski? The first chance I had on it was in Big Sky at the Gathering. Unfortunately, that pair wasn't mine because my skis were sitting in the shipping/receiving department at Pugski’s worldwide headquarters, aka they arrived while we were at the Gathering. I didn’t ski the Fischer at Copper, Mammoth, or Snowbasin, and I can be only so patient. I couldn’t wait another week, so I tried them at Big Sky. If you saw the pics from the Gathering, you saw that we got some really good snow, and the RC One GT 86 just killed it. It thrived in the bumps and trees, and it was especially confidence-inspiring in the milk-bottle visibility up high.
Dimensions: 130-86-116
Radius: 17m@175cm
Sizes: 161, 168, 175, 182
Size tested: 175
Design: All New
The Fischer RC One GT 86 has a mouthful of a name; an accomplished skier could make it down the better part of some ski trails before saying the whole thing. There is no question that we have been impressed with Fischer's offerings of the past few years, especially those that say "RC" on them. These are some of the best-finished skis in both appearance and construction, and the new GT 86 is no exception. From the textured topskin to the jeweler-like precision of the bevel, this ski stands out on the rack and on the slopes.
Okay, so this all-new Fisher has a pretty face. There are a lot of pretty faces, but how does it ski? The first chance I had on it was in Big Sky at the Gathering. Unfortunately, that pair wasn't mine because my skis were sitting in the shipping/receiving department at Pugski’s worldwide headquarters, aka they arrived while we were at the Gathering. I didn’t ski the Fischer at Copper, Mammoth, or Snowbasin, and I can be only so patient. I couldn’t wait another week, so I tried them at Big Sky. If you saw the pics from the Gathering, you saw that we got some really good snow, and the RC One GT 86 just killed it. It thrived in the bumps and trees, and it was especially confidence-inspiring in the milk-bottle visibility up high.
Now I am home and on my own test pair. The first day out was at Squaw Valley in some of the best wind buff we have experienced north of Mammoth. Such stellar conditions can mask the weaknesses of a ski, so how do you discern if it’s the ski or the conditions? Well, you start pushing the ski to find the limits. I took the RC One from KT to Headwall to Silverado to Immigrant to Granite Chief to Shirley Lake back to Headwall for a full day of skiing. This Squaw exploration was a mixture of wind buff, bumps, steeps, and groomers. The Fischer handled all conditions as if they were the same; nothing fazed it, it was solid and powerful in every aspect.
The hard-snow-biased system ski category is a crowded one for this coming season, with a lot of strong options. Fischer moved away from its Pro MTN collection with this new shape. The 175cm has a 17m triple radius sidecut; the tail has some nice taper that will follow the tip through the turn but also can be worked into different shapes. If you are looking for an 85-ish system ski (the wider end of the category), the Fischer with its strength and precision should be one on your short list. This ski will run fast and strong yet can still be worked in soft bumps. It is an "all-mountain ski” in the truest sense of the term.
The hard-snow-biased system ski category is a crowded one for this coming season, with a lot of strong options. Fischer moved away from its Pro MTN collection with this new shape. The 175cm has a 17m triple radius sidecut; the tail has some nice taper that will follow the tip through the turn but also can be worked into different shapes. If you are looking for an 85-ish system ski (the wider end of the category), the Fischer with its strength and precision should be one on your short list. This ski will run fast and strong yet can still be worked in soft bumps. It is an "all-mountain ski” in the truest sense of the term.
- Who is it for? A better skier will get the most out of the ski. If you thought the Pro MTN 86 was hooky, you will probably like this.
- Who is it not for? Someone who expects a ski to make the turn for them. These require input; they want a 50-50 relationship with the skier.
- Insider tip: The GT 86 likes to charge. If you are looking for a ski to trust and not let you down, here ya go.