Transalp 105 CTI review

Overview

The Fischer Transalp 105 CTI is the widest ski in Fischer's Transalp touring line. Fischer calls it "the perfect freetourer for high downhill pleasure" and "the first choice for deep powder snow days". It uses the same recipe as the narrower CTI models, a milled wood core with carbon stringers and a Shaped Ti titanium inlay, but spreads it over a 105 mm waist for float in soft snow. It is aimed at advanced and expert skiers who tour mainly to ski powder and open faces.

On-snow performance

On paper the 105 CTI is built for deep snow and big, open lines. Fischer says its width and shape give "particularly good lift", and at 105 mm underfoot it floats far better than the 86–98 mm Transalps. The radius grows with length, from 19 m in 164 cm to 22 m in 178 cm and 23 m in 185 cm, so the longer sizes favour fast, open turns over tight trees. The Shaped Ti inlay should keep the ski torsionally stiff and stable when the snow turns heavy or wind-affected. The Tour Rocker tip shortens the contact length, which Fischer says makes turn initiation easier. On firm, icy traverses the wide platform will be slower edge to edge than a narrower touring ski.

Construction & specs explained

Fischer builds the Transalp 105 CTI around an Ultra Light Woodcore with Air Tec milling, which the brand says cuts core weight by 25% without losing flex or torsional stability. Carbon Stringers keep weight low with a balanced flex, and Shaped Ti is a titanium inlay matched to the ski's geometry for stability and grip. It uses Sandwich Sidewall Construction (wood core with ABS sidewalls), sintered bases, and a factory tune of 87° side edge and 1° base edge. Profile: Tour Rocker, a tip rocker. Per-length specs from Fischer: 164 cm (138/104/124, 19 m, 1,390 g), 171 cm (139/105/125, 20 m, 1,500 g), 178 cm (139/105/124, 22 m, 1,540 g), 185 cm (140/106/125, 23 m, 1,660 g). All weights are per ski.

Who it's for & comparisons

The Transalp 105 CTI suits strong skiers who tour for powder and want a stable, titanium-backed ski that still stays near 1.5 kg. Within Fischer, the Fischer Transalp 98 CTI is the narrower option for mixed conditions. The Blizzard Zero g 105 shares the 105 mm waist and is listed at 1,545 g in 180 cm, so weight is very close; the Fischer adds a titanium inlay where the Blizzard relies on its own light lay-up. The Atomic Backland 107 is slightly wider at 1,590 g in 182 cm with a shorter 18.5 m radius, and the Elan Ripstick tour 104 is a 104 mm alternative at 1,540 g in 180 cm with Elan's asymmetric Amphibio profile.

Pros, cons and verdict

Pros

• 105 mm waist gives strong float for deep-snow touring days.
• Shaped Ti inlay adds torsional stability in heavy or wind-affected snow.
• Air Tec wood core and carbon stringers keep it at 1,540 g in 178 cm.
• Four lengths from 164 to 185 cm, each with its own sidecut and radius.

Cons

• Wide platform is slower edge to edge on firm, icy traverses.
• 22–23 m radius in the longer sizes is not suited to tight tree skiing.
• Heavier than the 86–98 mm Transalps for long, fast ascents.
• No length below 164 cm, which limits fit for lighter or shorter skiers.

Verdict: A powder-focused freetourer that adds Fischer's Shaped Ti stability to a light wood core. Choose it when deep snow and open descents are the main goal and you accept a wider, heavier ski on the way up.