19 to 33.5

[jim-ratliff]

Naww. Not likely. I really liked them that final week on the groomed snow, but no tree or bump experience.  Lynn and I stayed very focused that week that week on drills and skills. Surprisingly good edge hold at speed for a lower level ski.

[Svend]

Lower level? Really? That's not the impression I have of that ski.  When I flexed it in a shop recently, it seemed to be a lot stiffer than the previous Progressor 8.  Probably quite a bit of power in that ski.  Gary's son, who is an excellent skier and a big lad (~6'2", 240ish, I'm guessing), skis the 800 in a 175, and doesn't overpower it (and he does not ski slowly or lazily).

Light underfoot? Yes.  Agile? Yes.  Intermediate level? I don't think so.  Seems like the RS review of that ski is way off.  There is probably a lot more performance in there than the review would indicate.

But the bottom line is that you like them.  The Progressors are fun skis, all of them.  Lot's of life and spark at slower speeds, but great smoothness and stability when you open them up. 

[jim-ratliff]

   point well taken. Lower level only in the sense that there is a 900 and a 10 hundred in the same family, but I haven't skied any of them. Somewhat of a blind purchase based on my growing fondness for Fischer skis, an excellent end of season price, and Lynn's (and others) experience. The guy I bought them from said they were an upgrade from the 8+ and that most of his Elk customers really liked them.
I didn't find any speed limit. Even in one corner where I wasn't strong enough to hold the edge at the speed and radius I wanted, they skipped sideways in a very controllable fashion and grabbed a new edge, at a point when I was expecting worse. Felt very easy to transition between a carve and a more brushed turn with just a bit more ankle pressure and tipping.
But I also want versatility for east coast trees and haven't been there with them.

[Svend]

Yes, that was my impression too, that they are more substantial than the 8+.  And, well, lower in number than the 900 and 1000, but certainly not for intermediates only.  Coming from a smooth, damp, heavier Head ski, I can imagine that the livelieness of the Fischers will take some getting used to? Are you liking it? They certainly are different feeling underfoot, but a ton of fun.  Great choice, Jim, and wishing you many years of fun on those.

As an aside, I am seriously considering the Motive 84 C-Line for my eastern all-mtn. ski, but have heard that it is is little on the soft side, so perhaps not suited to my 220lb bulk.  Will try to find one somewhere to flex and prod, and then decide.