2010 Fischer Watea 84 Ski

A fun but serious ski with an uncanny balance between forgiveness and power, light weight and stability, energy and dampness, short and long turn capabilities, and hard snow to soft/deep snow abilities. 'Nuff said, if not read on....

Me - 130lbs. level 8/9 skier on the 167cm's in Colorado.  I've skied these about 8 times in conditions ranging from CO hardpack (bumps and groomers) to 18" in the trees.  They handled most of these conditions quite well (generally better than any other ski, fat or skinny, that I've ever tried).  They are an ideal all-mountain ski for a lightweight expert that likes it light and lively (i.e., no metal in the layup) and prefers short/medium radius turns at medium speed.  Straightliners should look elsewhere, while you heavier folks should probably look at a beefier 90mm+ ski.  I only have a few quibbles that you'd expect from something that could be used as a one-ski quiver - so how'd they do in some specific conditions?:

Groomers - Amazing grip in CO hardpack (no eastern ice to try them on...thankfully) -  they feel very stable at medium to higher speeds and willing to adapt to a variety of turn shapes without having to muscle or skid them.  They float effortlessly when there's fresh snow of nearly any depth (I had them in 12").  OTOH in very mixed conditions (i.e., tracked up fresh snow over a hard base) they don't have enough stability for bombing through the soft/hard transitions, but this isn't enough to make me want to give up their their light/fun character for a beefier ski.

Bumps - Their uncanny balance of foregiveness, power and turn-shape variation makes them nearly perfect in bumps, both hard and soft (and even with fairly deep snow).  Like with the groomers though they aren't as good with a soft/hard combo.  Skiing 6" of light/fresh over big crusty Mary Jane bumps was a real challenge - the wide and torsionally rigid tips readily deflected off the bumps if I didn't pick the perfect line, they weren't  stable enough for handling the bump undulations or the hard/soft transitions at anything but a fairly slow speed, and the stiff tails spanked me whenever I got thrown in the back seat.  Fortunately they are very maneuverable and will turn well at slow speeds, so that seems to be the technique for these in challenging bumps.  Again I wouldn't want to trade in their light/fun characteristcs for a beefier ski that would require more muscle in most bump conditions.

Trees - Amazingly fun, maneuverable and floaty (even in 18") as long as the snow is fairly consistent and/or light.  However, as soon as the snow gets heavier, windblown, etc. their light/fun nature requires a lot of muscle to keep them in control.  OTOH, my Gotama's weren't a complete cure-all for the same windblown tree conditions that challenged the W84's!

"Big Mountain" Terrain (i.e., off-piste open bowl skiing) - This terrain tends to see less consistent and heavier snow, and begs me to go straighter/faster.  Therefore, this is probably the least friendly place for this ski (my Gotama's clearly outclass them in this situation).

In conclusion, many consider this a "soft snow" 50/50 ski, while I concluded something a bit different: I'd say they have a wider range of capabilities as long as the snow is fairly consistent.  In another words: hardpack - very nice, fresh (even deep) snow over a soft base - fabulous, soft/light snow over hardpack - not the greatest.  Nevertheless they would be a great pick as a daily-driver for lighter-weight experts, or for heavier intermediate/advanced skiers wanting to dip their toes in the bumps/trees/powder.  Lighter-weight intermediate/advanced skiers should look for something a bit more forgiving.

My Wateas 84s: 159cm  Current 2010 / 2011 season. - the pic with the tips on the lift is mine. 

Me: F, 75kg (165lbs), 165cm (5'5"). strong legs/core & unfit everywhere else, dicky R knee - need re-co.  Cautious skier in some areas due to knee worries, but not afraid to get down a mogully black - so go with the flow......

The moment I got on these skis I was in love.  Comparisons: Volkl Sol (ladies), Rossi Echo Attxn 8, OLD rental k2 comanches (hahah!!)

The moment I skied away on these, I felt "dialed in" and totally connected.

They just flow and work.  They allow easy initiation. They do not chatter for me (unlike many other ppl) down ice and they just seem to help guide you bouncing in and out of the bumps. Feedback is great - never suddenly off balance or unable to correct a "growing" mistake.  Many times I have just over done it and crashed infront of someone (hey, they get a laugh as do I) as they are waiting or getting up and often they have told me that they were admiring me and that I "looked so in control" - well, that's the skis :) ahahhehaehae  not me: only ever skied 12.5 days EVER!

I believe the bindings and their mounted position are VITAL to the happiness of this ski. mine are Solomon 609. Probably a cheaper demo binding (bought in Aust Sept 2010 as mounted demos).  A non plate binding.

I hope this all makes sense.  I am NOT an experienced skier.  I am not part of the industry and am only recently totally obsessed with skiing.... I do not know ski review terminology, yet all the same I hope I help someone :)