Since their founding in 1924, Fischer skis have become renowned for their innovation and embrace of the latest technologies. The Austrian company prides itself on the development, production, marketing and distribution of first-class skiing equipment. As a single source supplier for both alpine and Nordic skiing gear, Fischer offers only the highest of quality products, and have almost a century of history to back that up...Read More
Fischer History
The company started in 1924 under the guidance of experienced tradesmen Josef Fischer in Austria. The company did not start off producing skis, but rather manufacturing toboggans and wagons. Ski production started with a single pair a year later in 1925; by 1928 the company had made 2,000 pairs.
The rapid rise in ski production continued on in the years ahead. In the year from 1932 to 1933, 10,000 pairs were produced. The increased demand soon called for a larger production facility, which came to fruition in 1936 when a larger factory was built, this one with brand new, top-of-the-line machinery.
This is far from the only time that they would need to update its digs. Both 1951 and 1957 saw the company upsize or add land to its production facilities. Cranking out skis like clockwork, they produced their 1 millionth ski in the year 1959, a testament to their speedy growth over the previous few decades.
Following Josef’s death in 1959, his son, Josef Fischer Junior, succeeded him at the helm of the company. Josef Jr. sets a whole new course for the company with new ideas and innovations in ski production, marketing, public relations and export, enabling them to become the biggest and most innovative ski factory in the world as a result.
By 1971, 50,000 square meters of land have been built on, with investments coming to around 175.5 million schillings within a decade. In the new factory, the subsequent peak production volume of nearly one million pairs of skis per year could be manufactured without difficulty, thus finally making the brand the world's largest ski manufacturer by the beginning of the 1970s.
1970 is also the year the company’s first cross-country skis went to production, encroaching into a territory almost completely dominated by Scandinavian companies. As time went on, the brand became more and more expansive in their product offerings. A cross-country boot of their own was presented for the very first time in 1994, to be followed by Alpine bindings and boots in the new millennium. The only gap left was plugged in 2004, with a cross-country binding of their own. Since then, Fischer has established a reputation as a full-range supplier of Alpine and Nordic hardware around the globe.
Fischer celebrated their 90th anniversary in 2014 as the last major Austrian ski manufacturer which is still 100% family owned. They have come a long way in those 90 years; today they are a modern enterprise, manufacturing innovative, high-tech products for all types and levels of skiers.
Competitive Success
Breaking into the alpine racing scene was not easy, but through years of demonstrated success they eventually became more and more popular with world-class racers. The first to embrace their skis in competition were actually the German national team and not Fischer’s home country of Austria, but it was Austrian Egon Zimmerman who scored the brand their first definitive breakthrough when we won them their first medal in a downhill World Championship in 1962.
The ascent as a racing brand culminated at the 1964 Olympic Games in Innsbruck. On January 30, 1964, Egon Zimmermann won the gold medal in the prestigious downhill race in front of some 50,000 captivated spectators. For Zimmermann, this was the climax of his career and for Fischer, their first Olympic gold medal.
The racing successes had quite an effect on the brand’s sales. During the 1964-1965 season, more than 250,000 pairs of skis were sold. The breakthrough is due to the metal ski "Alu Steel", which accounted for 40% of total sales for that season. In West Germany, ski sales went up 45% in 1965 from 1964, and even as far away as Japan deliveries went up from 330 to 2,000 pairs of skis.
One of the brand’s most notable riders in their history is Franz Klammer, one of the most famous Austrian downhill skiers. Dominating competition for much of the 1970s, Klammer won the downhill event for four consecutive World Cups in the years 1975-1978, sandwiching in a gold medal at the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck. His success secured Fischer’s reputation as the number one in the prestigious Alpine downhill discipline for years to come, setting the stage for a trajectory that has continued to recent years.
The 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi was another historic success for the Fischer team, which surpassed the magic figure of 100 medals won at a single Olympics. In the end, 38 gold, 34 silver and 31 bronze medals were awarded to their athletes, more than ever before in the history of Nordic skiing.
Even after all these years, the brand remains the clear number one in competitive Nordic skiing today.
Ski Technology
Fischer has consistently been on the forefront of innovation in skiing over the course of the last century, often leading the development of revolutionary new ski technology. It started with the development of wooden sandwich skis in the 1950s; soon after, they became the first European company to create a metal ski, the Alu Steel, which they debuted in 1960 and which helped Zimmerman to his gold medal in 1964. In the 1980s, the Air Core and Vacuum technologies followed. All these innovations and more led to their reputation as leader in ski tech.
Their breakthroughs aren’t limited to just skis, but also in the development of ski boots as well. Its Vacuum Fit technology, available since the 2011-2012 season, makes it possible to adapt the boot to fit the anatomy of the skier’s foot exactly.
The 21st century has seen Fischer develop numerous more innovations in the field of skiing, including:
The launch of the Carbonlite cross-country ski, their lightest ski ever developed, in 2006.
The 2013 debut of the Speedmax cross-country skis, which use a molecular base finish structure to provide world-class speed for top athletes and ambitious skiers in general.
Race Booster, a special race plate that improves and simplifies turning, which was developed in 2014.
The Curv series of alpine skis, an ISPO Award winner in 2016/2017 for its never-before-seen on-piste precision and performance.
These constant ongoing technological developments are a recurrent theme in the 90 years of company history, and the theme continues today. Today, Fischer defines itself in terms of its high-tech products and the associated technological leadership as a matter of course.
What Do They Sell
Fischer is an expert when it comes to all things skiing, offering high-performing alpine skis and cross-country skis for skiers of all ages and skill levels. The brand also develops some of the most technically-sound ski boots, ski bindings and ski poles on the market. They have been on the cutting edge of ski technology for almost 100 years, and their products continue that tradition to this day.
Not sure what you need? Visit our Ski Buying Guide for expert insight before you buy.
