Fischer Verticalp Ski

Five Stars for being perfect for its intended (albeit absurdly narrow) purpose with bonus points for actually being skiable (albeit with many caveats).

I am now the second owner of Eric Carter’s pair. The impetus for this project of sorts was to use them for a weeknight crit-style series (i.e., max ~425’ vert laps, beginning the final ski > skin transition within an hour of the race start), remounted with bindings that are still functional yet too old and hence potentially suspect to mount on a new ski (i.e., so otherwise they’re just waiting to serve as spare parts for three other pairs of the same binding model). Or at least that’s how I’m rationalizing all this!

By removing the entire weight assembly, including the plastic tray, replaced by a single layer of duct tape (so as to prevent the rather sizable cutout from becoming a mobile loose snow repository), I reduced the weight to 2 lb 9.5 ounces (net of the missing core material from the previously drilled-out 14 holes). So that’s saving about a quarter-of-a-pound per foot over a normal race ski.

I reused Eric’s previous toe holes, filled the old heel holes with JB Weld, then redrilled the heel for my bsl, with Dynafit LTR 1.0 bindings. The internal mounting reinforcement plate is impressively strong, so no worries about bindings ripping out from the ski.

The excess camber compared to regular race ski is often noticeable when skinning, feels kind of bouncy almost. Any potential efficiency gain from that though is not immediately noticeable.

The tip notch for skins is deeper than usual, although did not seem to be a disadvantage. The narrower sidecut is noticeable though. So some 60mm Trab WC skins that would normally be an all-around skin became a max grip skin, although that’s exactly what I needed for some steeper-than-optimal skinning on the course. (Which is somewhat deliberate, so as to provide a bit of an edge to participants on regular touring gear, enhancing the appear of the weeknight series to “citizen” racers.)

Downhill performance on a groomed yet lower expert trail is competent yet poor. I definitely did not lose any time on the descents, but that’s b/c we can’t ski faster than typical ski patrol enforcement speeds (i.e., no straightline tucking). However, the minimal sidecut means it’s reluctant to turn, and not very stable once in the turn, so the fun factor is essentially missing. Brings back very old – yet not so fond – memories of my Atomic MX:20 race skis. By contrast, when using the same boot, La Sportiva Stratos V, on my Hagan Ultra 65 skis, I was having a blast skiing down that same groomer two days earlier.

Durability, despite the warnings, it sure just looks like a narrower and straighter version of the first generation Alp Attack (and the ratio of surface area to weight is almost identical). Which had a terrible durability reputation! So I doubt the Verticalp would last very long in moguls, chopped-up crud, etc. Then again, the Verticalp would probably ski so miserably – and slowly – in those conditions that you’d have other reasons not to use it for that!

So overall, if you have an extra pair of old semi-suspect race bindings sitting around, and have an opportunity to race on groomers, or want a setup for outings that are pretty much all long approaches culminating in some brief skiing, I’d say go for it!

Could these be mounted with NNN-BC bindings? Could the recessed area for the weight tuning system be sealed off and mounted with NNN-BC?

For their specific application these work beautifully. Just perhaps not the most popular product in NA, as there are very few vert races. The long running edge means even better bite while skinning, and better skating as well.

I'd like to see more camber in a newer version. A little more stride bounce, and less skin contact would be a good thing

And they do ski downhill carefully. I'm not advocating using these in individual races. But you can approach and descend from your vertical races just fine.

How the fischer Verticalp works, when you descenting?

I've only used them three times really, in races.

Super light. Easy to adjust the weight using their weight system. Actually, I was able to use an older, heavier binding that I normally wouldn't have used on a new race ski because I was able to just remove weights! That's definitely a plus. The tip notch is a bit deeper to make the skins stay on more securely. Mounting was no different than any other race ski but with more carbon.

I'd love to see an even straighter cut and more camber for better striding. White top-sheet to catch less snow would be ideal.