Fischer Watea and Atua review

[Stikki]

I had a chance to demo the Watea and Atua over the weekend and all I can say is Fischer has hit the nail on the head. The conditions were moderate bumps, ice, slush, some dust on crust, and cut-up snow at Crystal Mt.

Watea 192cm 134-101-124

I love this ski. On paper I had totally dismissed it but on snow it’s awesome. Sort-of twin tip, wood core, relatively light, carves, pops, does it all. I could not believe this was a 101mm waist ski, it’s the most playful 99+ ski I’ve ever been on (Sugar, Gotama, m103). It has a moderate and even flex that absorbs chunks needed but also springs energy back. The whole ski felt like a sweet spot. In the bumps I was popping off every third mogul and on the groomers laying down smooth, clean carves. I thought the sidecut would be too much but along with the flex it works for you, it grips hard snow but doesn’t seem to over-hook, I could slide the tails on steeper stuff if I needed to. Looking back this ski has the same dimensions as the Seth Pistol +6mm, which is odd because I hated the first generation Pistol. I also noticed the Watea is 1mm bigger throughout versus the Rossi Squad 91. I’m going to pick-up a pair of these for my everyday boards next year.

Atea 186cm 129-96-119

The Atea is basically of smaller version of the Watea, twin, wood core, medium flex. Same combination of playful pop and stability. I didn’t spend as much time on this ski (I took the Watea out twice) but it held a solid carve on the hard snow did whatever I needed it do. They also felt smaller than their listed dimensions. This would be a great ski for somebody that wants a beefier Pocket Rocket. Think PR but better in every way.

Oh yeah, me= 5’9 170 lbs.

[BakerBoy]

And what did you think of the graphics?

Glad you liked them so much! I ski the Watea +1, and the Atua's at +4cm's, and wouldn't change them!

edit: You hit the nail on the head about the Atua... think beefy Pocket Rocket, but with vertical sidewalls, bigger twin tip, and a wood core that won't die after 30 days on the snow.

[Core Shot]

Skied with a buddy that is riding next years sticks and he raves about them.
He had similar comments and stoke. Prior to these new sticks, he rode the 90mm LP's all the time. Now I only see him on his Fischers.
Looks like Fischer is finally getting back on top again.

Graphics are unusual - I guess a combo newZeeland/pacific islander theme. Not bad but not stellar either.

[edit: based on pics below - my bud is on the atua]

[SquawMan]

Watea:




Atua

[vinnay]

those pics exactly what they look like? the old ispo pics are different, watea is teal blue, atua is yellow gold w red etchings/tribal.

[BakerBoy]

those pics exactly what they look like? the old ispo pics are different, watea is teal blue, atua is yellow gold w red etchings/tribal.

The Watea is more a slate blue, and the Atua is mossy colored, and the white Prohete is just a re-skinned BigStix 10.6

http://www.freeskier.com/freeskier/news.php?news_id=121

Core Shot: Where are you from? Just curious, funny coincidence, since I rode the 90mm LP's last year.

[BakerBoy]

Gratuitous Atua shot...

[Stikki]

BB-
Graphics don't influence my purchase decisions but for what it's worth I didn't mind them. I like how they are understated and sort of plain, although that little idol dude on the tips may eventually creep me out.

Why are you +1 on the Watea? Just for spinny/flippy stuff or what?

[Arty50]

Gratuitous Atua shot...

What a slut. His helmet matches his skis. I wonder if it has a hole for his pony tail like the pink one did?

[BakerBoy]

BB-
Graphics don't influence my purchase decisions but for what it's worth I didn't mind them. I like how they are understated and sort of plain, although that little idol dude on the tips may eventually creep me out.

Why are you +1 on the Watea? Just for spinny/flippy stuff or what?

I prefer mounting my skis forward a little bit so I can stand on them and be centered, and gives me a little more tail for landings...

[robokill1981]

Next years catalog claims the Watua has a swallow tail, but it doesn't look like it in the picture. Am I missing something?

When pro-forming Fischers do you get an option in bindings or do they only come with one pair?

[BakerBoy]

Next years catalog claims the Watua has a swallow tail, but it doesn't look like it in the picture. Am I missing something?

When pro-forming Fischers do you get an option in bindings or do they only come with one pair?

The swallowtail on the Watea is for asthetics only... The Euro's all wanted it flat, the American's all wanted a huge twin, so they decided to compromise and put a small/medium twintip on it with a notch that looks like a swallowtail. It's nice for holding skin clips on though!