2021 SkiEssentials.com Ski Test - Elan Ripstick 96

[@Oculus729]

I don't know where to leave this comment so I am going to leave it here. Awesome effort in the short reviews - direct and to the point. The huge video dump you folks did in the last couple of days just had me waste a couple of hours! LOL. I encourage you guys to do the same sort of thing for a bunch of touring skis too. That would be mighty helpful. Peace.

[@SkiEssentials]

Thank you so much Craig! It was a lot of work, but it's rewarding to see people like yourself enjoying it. We will try to do something similar for touring skis!

[@billymatherson3602]

Looking cool is half the battle and these fit the bill for me personally (:

[@russianwolfhound1]

I demoed the 2019 version of the Ripstick 96. The only concern I had was that the tips developed a nervous chatter at high speed, which in turn made me nervous. With this in mind, I opted for the Ripstick 96 Black Edition, which had the carbon rods for added dampening and stability. With the addition of carbon, are the 2021 Ripstick 96's essentially the same ski as the 2020 Ripstick 96 Black Edition -sans the black graphics ?

[@pepecuvan9867]

Great review! I'm a 204cm tall intermediate skier, 95kg. I'm hesitating between the 96 and the 106 for varying conditions on slope and some touring not very far from beaten trails. I figure that, since there are no models taller than 188cm, a wider ski might give me some more stability and effective edge. I don't worry too much about edge to edge since I'm such a long lever :) What would you suggest?

[@SkiEssentials]

Width does not determine effective edge. In fact in almost every case, as a ski gets wider, you tend to see less effective edge in the same length because there is usually more rocker in a wider ski compared to its narrower counterpart as it is more geared towards softer snow. the 96 will be a better option for day to day use as it is narrower which helps provide more torsional stiffness for edge hold on groomers.

[@pepecuvan9867]

@@SkiEssentials Thanks for your confirmation. I was looking at ski edge purely from a geometrical point of view, as wider skis have bigger turning radius. I did notice indeed the tendency to add more rocker to wider skis. But what about the stiffness? Is a wider ski of the same build model stiffer, because of the extra fibers to be flexed by the same force?

[@momostafaei6013]

Thanks for your awesome review. I have Nordica Navigator 187 and it is great at speed, but i feel its higher stiffness makes me to have harder time to carve at slower speeds. Would you say Ripstick 96 would be softer and easier to carve at lower speed? Or do you recommend something else?

[@SkiEssentials]

One of the highlights of the ripstick is how nimble it is.A lot of people tend to only focus on a ski's performance at higher speeds but a lot of times, skis designed to handle breakneck speeds can feel sluggish and cumbersome at slower speeds. The ripstick maintains its quick and nimble profile at slower speeds.

[@seanharrison2898]

Hey guys thanks for the review can you compare the Ripstick 96 to the Rossignol Sky 7 for me. Your thoughts.I've been back on skis for 3 seasons now after spending 26 years on a snowboard and I want to progress from my Rossignol Experience 84's.

[@Outdawrzman]

I’m looking for new skis this season. I live in Kelowna BC, Big White and Revelstoke are my local mountains. I’m 5.9 185. Looking for a playful ski for mornings 12 - 14 inches of fresh off piste, trees, glades. Then when the legs are worn some piste runs with the wife. What would you recommend? Width? Length ? Rip stick, Blaze or other brand

[@SkiEssentials]

I always wonder if people think it's a cop out if I recommend the ski that's in the video they're commenting on... but in this case, I think the Ripstick 96 is the best option for you. It's literally perfect for what you're describing. It's super fun in soft snow and off-piste terrain, but it also works well on groomers, and specifically doesn't require high speeds or a lot of skier input to still be fun on groomers. For length, I'm leaning towards 174. That should maximize playfulness, while still being stable enough on a groomer and with reasonably good edge grip.

[@Faza961]

Would these be a good ski to compliment a set of Nordica Enforcer 88s? Enforcers for high speed charge, Ripsticks for more off piste / playful maneuvering? Or would you suggest an alternate route if they are too similar. Also I ski the Enforcers in 186mm. Would you suggest going for the 181 or 188mm on the Elan if I'm looking for more playfulness and quick turns, possibly in both on and off piste conditions? Of course the shorter lower radius skis will be easier to maneuver, but will the longer skis have more flex and playfulness + float in soft snow? Thanks!

[@SkiEssentials]

Hey Faruk! Sorry for just getting back to you. Yes, definitely a good complement to the Enforcer 88. You nailed it, Enforcers for high speed, Ripsticks for when you feel more playful. If you're skiing the Enforcer in a 186, I'd go 188 cm in the Ripstick 96. I've been going 179 cm Enforcer and 180 cm Ripstick personally and it feels perfect to me. Going too short in the Ripstick might make it feel a little too twitchy or potentially unstable. 188 will still feel more playful and quicker than your Enforcers.

[@hclarke116]

Hi Folks. Are these skis touring skis? Can they be used for going up in the backcountry as well as down?

[@SkiEssentials]

They aren't touring specific skis, but certainly light enough to use for some touring. Plenty of people choose them for touring.

[@KM-ss1if]

Two questions: I really liked Völkl Blaze 94 in the trees and also on the groomers, effortless, great for short quick turns, not punishing bad technique (backseat etc). How would you compare Ripstick 96 vs Völkl Blaze 94? Is there any difference between 20/21 and 21/22 Ripstick 96, graphics? I don´t do any AT and I would say 50/50 groomers/tees & offpist (We don´t get deep pow here often) Great reviews as always, thanks!

[@SkiEssentials]

The Ripstick has a lot of those same characteristics. It's pretty effortless, makes quick turns, is relatively forgiving, and in general is just a lot of fun. I do think the Blaze feels a little lighter and the Ripstick feels stronger on a groomer, more torsional stiffness and more edge grip, but yeah, overall, pretty similar skis. No difference between the 2021 and 2022 Ripstick 96, no, they just added a Black Edition for 2022.

[@denishead3399]

How would this ski be for a touring ski that would double for days with more snow in the east. I am looking at this ski or the blaze 94, what are the differences? What size would you recommend for a guy 5’9” 195lbs?

[@SkiEssentials]

Hey Denis, I just replied to your question on the Backland 100 video too. I think a 180 cm Ripstick 96 would be a great choice for you. The other two skis are good too, but the Ripstick feels more well-rounded. More vibration damping, power, and edge grip on groomers, and still plenty light for touring. It's also a lot of fun in trees thanks to the rocker profile, flex pattern, and taper shape.

[@wackyhacky76]

Thanks for all the information you guys put out. I currently ski the Wingman 86TI and after two years on them in CO & MT, I feel like I should have gone a little bigger, so I am naturally looking now to RS 96 because the Wingman has been so great to me. Do you think that is a good transition with already being comfortable with their amphibio profile, etc.? What can I expect to be the biggest difference between the two in terms of feel? I am 5'7/165# and intermediate skier. I am not aggressive or a hard charger..maybe hit 40 mph on my fastest runs & have enjoyed the Wingman's forgiveness, but really want something to that can handle a wide range of snow conditions with the exception of mogul runs and even more stability. Thanks!!

[@SkiEssentials]

HI Keith! I think it's a great ski and an awesome transition. If you like the grip and responsiveness in the Wingman, you'll also get that personality from the Ripstick. It's wider and lighter, so you will not quite have the same precision and power, but for softer snow and more variable terrain, the 96 is certainly a cut above. I think it makes a lot of sense to stay within the brand!

[@Pokkarix]

Hey! Im wodering how are theese compared to the salomon qst line. Im a hardcharging skiier, mostly on groomed terrain. 130kg and a intermediate skiier.

[@SkiEssentials]

Pretty similar overall. The Ripsticks have slightly better edge grip in my opinion, and the flex pattern feels different between them. QSTs have a very surfy feel, Ripsticks are a little more precise, but overall they are quite similar.

[@Pokkarix]

@@SkiEssentials do you have some other recomadations?

[@george2mobile]

thanks for your valuable input skiessentials. how would you compare it to rustler 10?

[@SkiEssentials]

While splitting the difference between the Rustler 9 and 10 in terms of width, the Rustler 10 is a better floater, but I'd rather ski the 96 in the trees and on the groomers. For one ski, I think the Ripstick makes more sense, especially where we live and ski in Vermont, but if you find yourself in an area with more snow than not, or typically softer conditions, I'd say the Rustler 10 is a good choice for one ski. The Ripstick has a more flexible shovel, but a very good use of carbon while the Rustler uses metal underfoot to gain power.

[@troygregoire5054]

Just got some