2024 Elan Ripstick 96 Skis Review
By: evo Employees | Last Updated: August 8th, 2023
Review Summary
Avg. Tester Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ (4.3/5)
The 2024 Elan Ripstick 96 is a highly praised ski with excellent performance on various terrains. It is a fast, stable, and fun ski that excels in carving deep turns on groomers, offering a smooth and comfortable ride at high speeds. Its carbon stringers give it the feel of a metal ski while remaining lightweight and forgiving, making it incredibly responsive and enjoyable for popping in and out of turns, particularly at mid speeds. The ski's wide tip and strong damp construction provide excellent floatation, allowing it to perform like a wider ski without compromising carving abilities on firmer days. This versatile ski is approachable for intermediate skiers while packing enough power for advanced riders, making it a fantastic choice for various terrains and snow conditions.
Shop the Elan Ripstick 96 SkisTechnical Details
"If a smoothness indicator existed for skis, the Elan Ripstick 96 would be off the charts! It is a true freeride ski that doubles as an all-mountain ski for those who want ultimate versatility on the mountain. It utilizes Amphibio Carbon Line Technology for dynamic power and precision and a re-shaped tip and tail taper design make it a perfect choice for every day, every turn shape, on any surface. It's wide enough to handle powder, yet narrow enough in the waist to grip and rip on the front side."
| Available Sizes (cm) | 164, 172, 180, 188 |
| Dimensions (Tip, Waist, Tail - mm) | 136 - 96 - 110 |
| Radius (m) | 15.1, 16.2, 18, 19.5 |
| Rocker/Camber Profile | Rocker/Camber/Rocker |
| Weight | 1650g (per pair @ 180 cm) |
| Construction | Tubelite Wood Core + SST Sidewalls + Vapor Tip Inserts |
Expert Testers & Methodology
Why should you trust evo's Field Tested Reviews? Great question! Over this past winter, evo employees from our various locations across Washington, Oregon, Utah, Colorado and Whistler were selected to provide long-term testing of next year's hottest new skis and snowboards. Employees were also invited to attend exclusive multi-day demo events where brands — like Elan — showcased their upcoming products for the 2023/2024 winter season. By collecting unbiased, in-depth reviews from our most experienced skiers and snowboarders, we hope to help you find the best gear to maximize your fun in the mountains!
Testing for the 2024 Elan Ripstick 96:
We had three different testers with decades of skiing experience spend extensive time testing out the 2024 Elan Ripstick 96 skis. As advanced skiers with a diverse background of skiing experience across a variety of mountains, conditions, and terrain, they independently compiled their thoughts and each provided us their individual reviews below.
Jake Smith
Studio Photographer
Tester Rating: 5-Stars
Tester Ability Level: Expert
Size Tested: 188 cm
Testing Location: Mission Ridge, WA
The everyday carving master
"Fast, stable, fun, poppy are just a few of the adjectives that help describe the feelings while on this ski. The Ripstick holds true to its namesake and just wants to rip down every run. I am 6 ft. and rode the 188cm. I felt this was a great size for me to really lean into the ski and carve deep turns on groomers. They didn't feel too big or uncontrollable, rather very stable and comfortable at high speeds."
Jodi Redfield
Customer Care Representative
Tester Rating: 4-Stars
Tester Ability Level: Expert
Size Tested: 180 cm
Testing Location: Loveland, CO
This black dress comes to the party
"What a fun ski. I skied the Elan Ripstick 96 Black edition in a 180 length, which was a little long for my 5 ft. 4 in. frame, but super fun on icy groomers. These held an edge extraordinarily well, and could be surprisingly versatile despite my first look at them. Unsurprisingly, these were really fast edge to edge, and were rock solid on every turn. The Amphibio profile is a really unique system from Elan, and very notable in this ski. We didn't have soft snow conditions, but I would imagine this to be a great all-mountain ski. It has a forgiving wood core, but its carbon tubes provide enough rigidity that I would suspect it to power through chop and crud, but has enough tip rocker to be a great ride in soft snow too. This ski would be optimal for a strong skier who can stay on top of it, that's mostly looking for a frontside ski, but would enjoy some side exploring too!"
Avrohom Rich
Customer Care Representative
Tester Rating: 5-Stars
Tester Ability Level: Expert
Size Tested: 180 cm
Testing Location: Brighton, UT
Skis wider than a 96!
"The Elan Ripstick 96 exceeded my expectations in a BIG way. The ski felt like a much wider ski while skiing it, (100mm at least) and the wide tip of the ski allowed it to float freely anywhere I took it. Because it is still 96 underfoot, and utilizing a strong damp construction, the ski carves like a dream. If you want the benefits of a wider ski without being held back on those firmer days, this ski is hard to beat."
Pros
Excellent Carving Performance: The Elan Ripstick 96 is highly praised for its exceptional carving abilities. It allows riders to lean into the ski confidently, delivering deep turns on groomers and maintaining stability even at high speeds.
Versatile and Playful: Reviewers emphasize the ski's versatility, favoring mid-speeds and offering a playful experience for popping in and out of turns. This makes it suitable for a wide range of skiers, from intermediates to advanced riders.
Great Floatation: Skiiers highlight the ski's impressive floatation, feeling wider than its 96mm underfoot width would suggest. The wide tip design allows it to float freely in various conditions, especially in boot top powder.
Cons
Lack of Deep Powder Testing: While the ski is praised for its floatation in boot top powder, there is no mention of its performance in deeper powder conditions. Skiers looking for a ski specifically dedicated to deep powder might need to consider alternative options.
Not the First Choice for Beginners: While the ski is approachable for intermediate skiers, its responsiveness and power might be overwhelming for beginners. Novice riders might find it challenging to control at higher speeds or in more demanding conditions, necessitating a more forgiving ski.
Who Is It For?
The Elan Ripstick 96 is best suited for intermediate to advanced skiers who enjoy a versatile and dynamic skiing experience. This ski is ideal for those who primarily ski on groomed runs and enjoy carving deep turns at higher speeds. The ski's stability and excellent carving performance make it well-suited for skiers looking to push their limits on well-maintained slopes. Additionally, the Ripstick 96's playful nature, responsiveness, and poppy feel cater to skiers who enjoy exploring various turn shapes and speeds. Its versatility allows it to perform well in mid-speed turns, making it suitable for those who prefer a mix of cruising and more dynamic skiing. While it has good floatation in boot top powder, it may not be the best choice for skiers who frequently tackle deep powder conditions or tight tree runs, as its performance in these specific terrains is not explicitly addressed in the reviews.
Overall, the Elan Ripstick 96 appeals to skiers who want a ski that can handle a wide range of conditions and terrains while offering a fun and exciting ride on groomed slopes.