Elan Ripstick 96 Skis 2024

Elan’s excellent Ripsticksare category bench marks, shining everywhere on the mountain and stacked with effective design. Possibly the most impressive feature is Amphibio Carbon Line Technology that places carbon inserts over the inside edges of the ski for improved grip and precision without over-stiffening the ski or adding excess weight. The clever Amphibio rocker technology uses camber on the inside edge and rocker on the outside, giving the ski excellent edge hold on firmer snow and easy manoeuvrability when off-piste. This is a previous Ellis Brigham category winning Ski of the Year. 

Terrain Type & Ability Level

Terrain Type
This a great example of a freeride ski, capable of skiing anywhere on the mountain, not just powder or mainly firm conditions, but everywhere. That said, every ski has a certain things it does especially well and, in this case, Ripsticks shine brightest in softer conditions. It’s got the wdith and shape to work really well in soft snow, with good float and easy handling. The Amphibio asymmetric camber/rocker aids the edge hold and feeling of positivity on pistes without making the ski any harder to use. There’s no metal in the ski so to strengthen grip on hard snow the new Amphibio Line Technology uses carbon reinforcement along the inside edge to improve the stiffness. The flex feels great on pretty much all terrain, with only the steepest, firmest runs needing more care. Thanks to it being relatively lightweight, mounting it with a BC binding is an option if you want to do the occasional trip away from the lifts. 

Skier Type
The Ripstick is aimed squarely at advanced skiers wanting an all mountain option, maybe as a single ski quiver or maybe as a second ski to compliment a piste model. There’s no metal so it won’t suit the heaviest or most powerful skiers but, thanks to clever design, it isn’t tricky to use. It does reward good technique with precision and stabilty to take it anywhere 

Overview

Shape
96mm in the waist is a key part of what makes this a ski for those who want ultimate versatility. It’s wide enough to handle powder yet narrow enough in the waist to grip and rip on the frontside. The re-shaped tip and tail taper design keep it feeling comfortable in every turn shape, on any surface. The relatively long nose and tail provide forgiveness and stability.

Rocker
Ripsticks use Amphibio technology, a revolutionary ski design that integrates both rocker and camber profiles into dedicated left and right skis. These skis feature a cambered inside edge assuring precision, edge grip and stability, while a rockered outside edge provides forgiveness, turning ease and smooth transitions.

Core
The Tubelite Woodcore uses two super lightweight carbon tubes inserted into a lightweight laminated wood core. These tubes run the length of the ski following the arc of the sidecut. They provide torsional stability and powerful rebound while allowing for material reduction of the core. The result is incredible lightweight response and stability.

Construction
SST construction uses sidewalls ensure quick, nimble and direct power transmission from the ski to snow as well as providing exceptional torsional rigidity.

Key Features

Amphibio Carbon Line Technology
Amphibio Carbon Line technology is a combination of innovations that provide the best balance of lightweight construction with power and performance. Amphibio Carbon Line technology elevates the asymmetrical ski design to the next level by strategically locating carbon reinforcement over the inside edges of the skis to provide more power in the turn. Carbon rods inserted into the woodcore maximize weight savings and overall stability. The end result is an extremely lightweight high-performance ski with uncompromised versatility and smooth handling. 

Vaportip Reinforcment
Vapor inserts are advanced composites integrated into the tip and tail area of the ski’s core. These inserts reduce weight and vibration, dramatically improving stability and ensuring a smooth ride even in the most demanding conditions. 

EB tester’s comments: Luke (Buying Team) I’ve always been a fan of the Ripstick, finding it nicely forgiving and confidence boosting. The new version does feel stiffer with better grip, in a positive way. Better skiers can charge more now but it still has the element of forgiveness for those who sometimes want to wash out turns.

General Information

• Skier Ability: Intermediate|Advanced|Expert
• Terrain Type: All Mountain|Freeride
• Rocker: Tip/Tail Rocker
• Radius: Medium
• Bindings: Ski sold flat
• DIN: n/a
• Construction: Full Sidewall
• Core: Wood, Carbon
• Demo: Yes
• Sizing Description: Nose level to forehead height is ideal, but longer length is important if there is a bigger rocker or you're spending more time off piste where the extra stability and float a larger size provides will be beneficial.