Fischer Big Stix 98

Fischer’s Big Stix line, the name of their iconic fat skis from 2000 to 2005, re- turned for 2012 based on skier demand. The brand started with the shape of the Watea 98, a traditional all-mountain ski, made it a little bit stiffer with laminates and a thicker core profile in the shovel, and added some rocker in the tip and tail. I skied them on a day with fresh snow where the bumps still lingered and the Big Stix were easy and straightforward (read: ideal). The all-mountain boards have a wood core with fiberglass and carbon laminates and a full side- wall construction. - John Clary Davies