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Elan Ripstick 96 Ski Review 2017 Review
October 22, 2016The Good
- Great carver
- Lively
- Easy to turn
- Forgiving flex
- Transitions well from packed to crud
The Bad
- Not the highest ratings for stability
- A little too much rocker for super high speeds on the groomed
- Skis a bit short
- Might be a little too carvy off-piste
The Elan Ripstick 96 is a fun, versatile ski that earned high marks for its responsiveness, its confident carve, and also for its float. On high speed groomers it lost authority, and in deeper snow it still wanted to carve. It is super easy to initiate, with energy to spare. A wide variety of skiers will be very happy with this 'Ripstick.'
Testers loved the liveliness, manueverability, and all around energy of Elan’s Ripstick 96. Built with the brand’s asymmetrical “Amphibio Technology,” with a designated right and left ski, each tip hasa well-designed mix of rocker for ease of initiation, and camber for grip. In the case of the Ripstick, therocker is that much more pronounced, giving the ski the ability to lay down beautiful mid-radius carved turns on piste or off.
That rocker did make the ski feel a little less aggressive in high speed groomed turns, where some testers said it could also feel a little short. Overall, it’s an amazingly nimble, very fun ski that will appeal to advanced and expert skiers from coast to coast.
Peter Kray
- PublisherPeter Kray is a co-founder of the Gear Institute, and a longtime specialist in the testing of skis, snowboards and outdoor equipment.