Elan Ripstick 94 Women's Skis 2022

The Ripstick 94W has quietly been making a name for itself as one of the very best women's skis out there, and this new version is about to ramp that up. It's a freeride ski that is truly happy everywhere on the mountain from groomed pistes to fresh powder, with bumps, trees, slush and anything else in between. The key is the lightweight design and asymmetric Amphibio construction. There is a distinct left and right ski with more camber on the inside edge and increased rocker on the outside; the result is grip on firm snow and ease of use in soft conditions. Carbon reinforcement on the inside improves the precision and edge hold. 

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 width 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 a freeride 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 stability to take it anywhere 

Overview

Shape
94mm in the waist is a key part of what makes this a true freeride ski that can double as an all mountain model 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 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: Ailsa (Covent Garden) I'd heard a lot of good things about this ski and it totally lived up to expectation and then some. It didn't matter what I took it on, it felt secure and made me feel like I was flying!

Technical Specifications

General Information

• Skier Ability: Advanced/Expert
• Terrain Type: Freeride
• Rocker: Tip/Tail Rocker
• Radius: Medium
• Base: Sintered
• Bindings: Ski sold flat
• DIN: n/a
• Construction: Full Sidewall
• Core: Wood, Carbon
• Demo: Yes
• Sizing Description: Forehead to over head height. The increased length ensures better grip, stability and floatation and is essential to making the ski work to its full potential. Large rockers at the tip mean it is important not to size down.