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Expert Comparison: Line Blade Optic 96 Skis · 2023 vs Fischer Ranger 96 Skis · 2024

Published on 02/09/2024 · 5 min readCompare Line Blade Optic 96 Skis · 2023 and Fischer Ranger 96 Skis · 2024. Get expert insight below!
Tomasz Macieik, Ski Expert
Rob G., Ski Expert
Sam Baevsky, Ski Expert
Contributed By Ski Expert Tomasz Macieik, Rob G., Sam Baevsky, Thomas Harari, Phil Chandler and others

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Side by side comparison

Out of stock
Line Blade Optic 96 Skis · 2023
Out of stock
Fischer Ranger 96 Skis · 2024
Price
$408.93
52% off
from:$479.99
41% off
User rating
4.71(17)
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The Curated Take

Best for skiers seeking a playful, versatile, and stable ski.

Best for advanced skiers seeking a versatile all-mountain ski that can handle any type of terrain with stability, agility, and power.

Color options
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Ski type
All Mountain, Freeride
All Mountain
Skill level
Advanced, Expert
Advanced, Expert

In the world of all-mountain skis, two products stand out: the Line Blade Optic 96 Skis · 2023 and the Fischer Ranger 96 Skis · 2024. Both skis are designed for versatility and performance, but they each have their unique strengths and features. The Line Blade Optic 96 is a playful, energetic ski that offers a smooth ride and is perfect for skiers of any skill level. On the other hand, the Fischer Ranger 96 is a versatile, all-mountain ski that excels in carving and freeriding. It's a great choice for advanced to expert skiers. While both skis are excellent choices, the Line Blade Optic 96 is more playful and fun, while the Fischer Ranger 96 is more stable and powerful. The final verdict? It depends on your skiing style and preference!

The Line Blade Optic 96 Skis · 2023 is a standout ski that offers an intuitive skiing experience regardless of the terrain or speed. It's playful and energetic, making it a joy to use on the slopes. The ski is light and soft, but it also has metal in its construction, which translates to a smooth and damp ride when riding fast through cruddy snow.

The Blade Optic 96 is versatile and accessible, making it an excellent one-ski quiver that can do it all. It's the perfect combination of playful and stable, and it's very poppy, which means you'll find yourself seeking out the side hits, popping out of turns, and jumping moguls.

However, it's worth noting that while the Blade Optic 96 is a lot of fun, it doesn't carve as well as more specific skis. It also has less float than its bigger 104 width brother. But overall, the Line Blade Optic 96 is a fantastic ski that will provide a blast for skiers of any skill level.

The blade optics playfulness is what first stood out. It was very energetic and poppy. I found myself seeking out the side hits, popping out of turns, and jumping moguls. Usually when a ski is this playful it means it is fairly light and soft but the Blade Optic 96 does come with metal in its construction that translates to a very smooth and damp ride when riding fast through cruddy snow.

Tomasz Macieik
Ski Expert

The Fischer Ranger 96 Skis · 2024 is a versatile, all-mountain ski that offers a confidence-inspiring "charge-like" attitude. It's light enough to hop around from turn to turn with a relatively short turn radius, but it also maintains a ton of rigidity and stiffness underfoot to help any skier bank the sharpest carves.

The ski is stable and versatile, and it carves really well on a groomer. It's also quick to turn and pivot in the trees. The Fischer Ranger 96 has Titanal metal underfoot, which gives it more power on the groomers and some stiffness, allowing it to punch through crusty snow.

However, it's worth noting that while the Fischer Ranger 96 is a powerful ski, it's not the best choice for deeper days out west due to its lack of flotation. But for the more advanced rider looking for a carvable all-mountain ski that can still rip through crud while maintaining a playful attitude, the Fischer Ranger 96 is the ski for you!

My overall impression is that this is super versatile. It has Titanal metal underfoot, which gives it a little more power on the groomers, as well as some stiffness, and it kind of punches through that crusty snow. We skied this on groomers, we skied this on some sort of softened one to two inches of new snow on top of crust, and it's super stable, super versatile. It carves really well on a groomer. It's also pretty quick to turn and pivot in the trees.

Rob G.
Ski Expert

Similarities

Both the Line Blade Optic 96 Skis · 2023 and the Fischer Ranger 96 Skis · 2024 are designed for all-mountain skiing, offering versatility and performance in a variety of conditions. They both feature a waist width of 96mm, which is considered the "sweet spot" for all-mountain versatility.

Both skis also incorporate metal in their construction, which provides stability and dampness, allowing for a smooth ride even at high speeds. They both have a playful nature, with the ability to make quick turns and navigate through trees with ease.

In terms of performance, both skis offer strong edge grip on hard snow, providing a powerful and smooth ride. They are also both capable of handling cut-up snow and chop with relative ease, making them excellent choices for a variety of snow conditions.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both skis are versatile and high-performing, they cater to different types of skiers. The Line Blade Optic 96 Skis · 2023 is more playful and energetic, making it a great choice for skiers who love to have fun on the slopes. It's also a great choice for skiers of any skill level, thanks to its intuitive design and versatility.

On the other hand, the Fischer Ranger 96 Skis · 2024 is more stable and powerful, making it a better choice for advanced to expert skiers who want a ski that can handle high speeds and rough conditions. It's also a great choice for skiers who prefer carving and freeriding, thanks to its strong edge grip and ability to punch through crusty snow.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to playfulness, the Line Blade Optic 96 Skis · 2023 takes the cake. Its energetic and poppy nature makes it a joy to use on the slopes.

In terms of stability, the Fischer Ranger 96 Skis · 2024 comes out on top. Its Titanal metal underfoot provides a stable and confident ride, even at high speeds.

For versatility, it's a tie. Both skis offer a waist width of 96mm, making them versatile enough to handle a variety of snow conditions.

Finally, for carving and freeriding, the Fischer Ranger 96 Skis · 2024 is the winner. Its strong edge grip and ability to punch through crusty snow make it a great choice for skiers who love carving and freeriding.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Line Blade Optic 96 Skis · 2023 and the Fischer Ranger 96 Skis · 2024 are excellent choices for all-mountain skiing. They both offer versatility, performance, and high-quality construction. However, they cater to different types of skiers.

The Line Blade Optic 96 is more playful and energetic, making it a great choice for skiers who love to have fun on the slopes. It's also a great choice for skiers of any skill level, thanks to its intuitive design and versatility.

On the other hand, the Fischer Ranger 96 is more stable and powerful, making it a better choice for advanced to expert skiers who want a ski that can handle high speeds and rough conditions. It's also a great choice for skiers who prefer carving and freeriding.

In the end, the best ski for you depends on your skiing style and preference. So whether you're a playful skier who loves to have fun on the slopes, or a serious skier who loves to carve and freeride, there's a ski out there for you!

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