Transalp 86 CTI W review

Overview

The Fischer Transalp 86 CTI W is the women's-selection version of the Fischer Transalp 86 CTI, Fischer's uphill-oriented 86 mm touring ski for 2026/27 (product A18526). Fischer lists the same construction for both, and in the lengths they share the published dimensions, radii and weights are identical. What differs is the length run and the look: the women's ski comes in 148, 155, 162, 169 and 176 cm — it adds a 148 cm and drops the 183 cm — and it wears a white main colour where the unisex ski is petrol. Fischer also gives it a size recommendation 6 cm shorter than body height.

On-snow performance

Fischer pitches the Transalp 86 CTI as a versatile touring ski with very good downhill performance for touring fans who want long climbs without giving up the descent. The Tour Rocker eases turn entry, and the Shaped Ti insert is there for stability and torsional stiffness, so on paper the ski should hold an edge on firm spring snow and refrozen traverses better than an all-carbon lightweight. Radii grow with length, from 17 m at 148 cm to 21 m at 176 cm, so the shorter sizes should feel quicker in tight couloirs while the longer ones settle into bigger arcs. With 84-86 mm underfoot it is a firm-snow and mixed-snow tool; on deep days a wider freetourer floats better.

Construction & specs explained

• Core: Ultra Light Woodcore with Fischer's Air Tec milling to save weight.
• Reinforcement: carbon stringers plus Shaped Ti, a titanal insert shaped to the ski for stability.
• Build: Sandwich Sidewall Construction and a sintered base; factory edges 1° base / 87° side.
• Profile: Tour Rocker.
• Per length (tip-waist-tail / radius / weight per ski): 148 cm 113-84-100 / 17 m / 1020 g; 155 cm 114-85-101 / 18 m / 1050 g; 162 cm 115-85-102 / 19 m / 1110 g; 169 cm 116-86-104 / 20 m / 1190 g; 176 cm 117-86-105 / 21 m / 1250 g.

The 148 cm, at 1020 g per ski, is the lightest Transalp 86 CTI in Fischer's range and the main reason this version exists.

Who it's for & comparisons

It suits shorter or lighter ski tourers who like the Transalp 86 CTI concept but need a size below 155 cm, or who simply prefer the white colourway. Taller skiers who need 183 cm stay with the Fischer Transalp 86 CTI. If you want more float for mixed snow, the Fischer Transalp 92 CTI Pro is the wider family member. Among women's touring skis, the Blizzard Zero g 085 w is a similar firm-snow 85 mm shape, the Volkl Rise above 88 w gives more width at a similar weight, and the Atomic Backland 85 W is a softer, more accessible option for newer tourers.

Pros, cons and verdict

Pros

• 148 cm option at 1020 g per ski opens the Transalp 86 CTI to smaller skiers.
• Shaped Ti and carbon stringers add stability for the descent.
• Same published shape and weights as the unisex ski in shared lengths.
• Factory edges and a sintered base suit long traverses on firm snow.

Cons

• No 183 cm; taller skiers need the unisex version.
• Built for the same advanced-to-expert skier as the unisex ski, not a soft beginner tourer.
• 84-86 mm waist floats less than wider freetouring skis.
• Apart from the length run and colour, there is nothing women-specific in the build.

Verdict: The same light, stable Transalp 86 CTI in a shorter length run and a white finish; choose it when you need the 148 cm or prefer this graphic, and the unisex model when you need 183 cm.