Elan Ripstick 96 - 2024/25 Ski Test Review

As part of the Ripstick range developed with Glen Plake, The Ripstick 96 are a super versatile modern wide all mountain ski. From their Freeride and All Mountain range these do it all skis have been designed for fun on the descent but combined with the right binding are plenty light enough for use as a ski touring ski.
The Ripstick features Elan's Amphibio Technology, this is a clever use of different camber and rocker profiles and stiffnesses on the inside and outside edge. The inside edge gets a longer camber profile for increased grip and precision whilst the outside edge gets more rocker to give forgiveness and easier turn initiation. This of course means that there is a left and a right ski so don't get them mixed up, you can tell the difference when you do!
The 96mm waist makes this Ripstick more off piste and soft snow focused than the 88 but it is still super versatile, they are a good piste ski giving smooth and solid but lively all mountain ski performance, not as grippy as the 88 but they still don't feel too wide on the hard pack. The SST sidewall construction and fibreglass reinforcement add to the power transmission and grip.
Off piste, the extra underfoot width and the rocker comes fully into play giving more float and stability than the 88 version whilst keeping the turn initiation easy, and avoiding hooking up, in powder and crud.
At a 3.3kg per pair total weight, the Elan Ripstick 96 are light for such a good and wide all mountain ski, if using a good lightweight pin tech touring binding they are certainly light enough for use as a ski touring ski and the tail has a profile designed to work with ski skins. Being that bit wider they will lend themselves a little more towards softer snow than the 88 but they can still deal with whatever you get.
They will suit people who want to do everything on their ski set up from a week of resort skiing to day tours and occasional longer multi day touring. They will also suit people who want to enjoy the descent with a fun, solid, dependable and dare I say, easy ski to ski in whatever conditions the mountain throws at you. Elan use a system of hollow 5mm diameter carbon tubes within the wood laminates to take weight out but also to add stiffness.
With a reputation for making high quality skis, for themselves and many other brands, Elan have managed to produce a superb and lightweight but also strong and solid ski at a very sensible price.
We were kitted out in Helly Hansen gear which really kept us super dry and warm when we really needed it. The Elevation Pro Shell jacket and Bib pants was a lovely combo, I had a lot of comments on this gear :)
Mens Shell Jacket and Bib Pants
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