THE GEAR PICKER
skis / compare
Head-to-head · freeride

Elan Playmaker 101 vs Fischer Ranger 102

The Playmaker 101 and the Ranger 102 compared. The Playmaker 101 is 1 mm narrower underfoot (101 vs 102 mm). The Playmaker 101 is 215 g lighter at the default length (1,685 vs 1,900 g). Turn radii are 18.1 m and 18 m.

Elan Playmaker 101 — topsheet
Playmaker 101
$750 MSRP 4 lengths · 164, 172, 180, 188 cm
Fischer Ranger 102 — topsheet
Ranger 102
$850 MSRP 6 lengths · 155, 162, 169, 176, 183, 190 cm

Where each ski sits across every ski we carry

Playmaker 101
Ranger 102
Waist
101 mm
102 mm
Narrower · firmer-snowWider · powder
Weight
1,685 g
1,900 g
Lighter · playfulHeavier · damp & planted
Tip taper
31 mm
35 mm
Straighter · grippyMore taper · loose
Turn radius
18.1 m
18.0 m
Shorter · quickLonger · stable

Head to head, by character

Each ski's own read, side by side — the same three things that define how it skis.
Turn & shape
A 18.1-meter radius draws medium-to-long turns and holds a line through them; a moderate taper keeps entry manageable without giving up much grip mid-arc.
A 18.0-meter radius draws medium-to-long turns and holds a line through them; a moderate taper keeps entry manageable without giving up much grip mid-arc.
Stability & dampness
Built without metal on a tubelite woodcore, it's lighter and livelier underfoot — easy to release from a turn and quick edge to edge. At 1,685 g it stays light and maneuverable.
A full titanal layup gives it a damp, planted build that holds a line through rough snow and rewards a forward, driving stance. At 1,900 g there's real mass behind the metal to settle it at speed.
Float & width
At 101 mm it leans toward soft-snow float while keeping enough edge to hold when it firms up. Rocker at tip and tail lets it smear and release easily, while the camber underfoot keeps an edge.
At 102 mm it leans toward soft-snow float while keeping enough edge to hold when it firms up.

Full spec comparison

SpecPlaymaker 101Ranger 102
Waist 101 mm 102 mm
Sidecut 132·101·122 mm 137·102·127 mm
Weight @ default 1,685 g 1,900 g
Weight range 1,515–1,815 g 1,520–2,190 g
Turn radius 18.1 m full-length 18.0 m full-length
Metal None Titanal
Core Tubelite woodcore Not published
Lengths 164–188 cm 155–190 cm
MSRP $750 $850