Transalp 98 CTI review

Overview

The Fischer Transalp 98 CTI is the downhill-first member of Fischer's Transalp touring family. Fischer calls it "the ideal freeride tourer for those who focus on downhill pleasure but do not want to sacrifice ascent performance", and rates it for advanced and expert skiers. With a 98 mm waist, a Shaped Ti titanium inlay and carbon stringers over a milled wood core, it sits between the steep-terrain Fischer Transalp 92 CTI Pro and the wider Transalp 105 CTI.

On-snow performance

On paper this is a calm, stable freetourer rather than a nimble pivoting tool. Fischer lists a long turn radius category, with 21 m in 169 cm and 22 m in 176 cm, so the ski is shaped for medium-to-long arcs in open terrain. The Shaped Ti inlay is there to add torsional stiffness and grip, which should help on wind-packed and refrozen snow. The Tour Rocker in the tip shortens the contact length, which Fischer says makes turn initiation easier and takes effort out of tight spots. At 98 mm underfoot it gives clearly more float than the 86 and 92 mm Transalps, but it is not a dedicated deep-powder ski.

Construction & specs explained

Fischer builds the Transalp 98 CTI around an Ultra Light Woodcore with Air Tec milling, a pattern that the brand says removes 25% of the core weight without losing flex or torsional stability. Carbon Stringers keep weight down while balancing flex, and Shaped Ti is a titanium inlay matched to the ski's geometry for stability and grip. The ski 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: 155 cm (130/97/115, 19 m, 1,160 g), 162 cm (131/97/116, 20 m, 1,250 g), 169 cm (132/98/117, 21 m, 1,340 g), 176 cm (133/98/118, 22 m, 1,410 g), 183 cm (134/99/119, 23 m, 1,500 g). All weights are per ski.

Who it's for & comparisons

The Transalp 98 CTI fits strong tourers who climb to ski and want a stable, damp-feeling platform for mixed backcountry snow. Next to the Fischer Transalp 92 CTI Pro it is wider and more float-oriented, and it carries about 150 g more per ski in 176 cm. The K2 Wayback 98 mens is a close rival at the same waist and is listed at 1,260 g in 179 cm, so it is lighter for long ascents. The Atomic Backland 95 is slightly narrower with a shorter radius (18 m in 177 cm) for a quicker feel, and the Salomon Mtn 96 carbon is a similar-weight 96 mm alternative.

Pros, cons and verdict

Pros

• Shaped Ti titanium inlay adds torsional grip and stability at touring weight.
• Air Tec wood core and carbon stringers keep it at 1,410 g in 176 cm.
• Five lengths from 155 to 183 cm with per-length sidecut and radius.
• Tour Rocker tip eases turn initiation in variable snow.

Cons

• Long 21–23 m radius in the main lengths does not suit short, quick turns.
• Heavier than the lightest 95–98 mm touring skis for big vertical days.
• Rated for advanced and expert skiers, so not a first touring ski.
• At 98 mm it is not a dedicated deep-powder tool.

Verdict: A downhill-focused freetourer that adds titanium-backed stability to a light wood core. Choose it over the narrower Transalps when soft snow and descent quality matter more than every gram on the way up.