In the world of all-mountain skis, the Elan Ripstick 96 and Elan Ripstick 88 are two top contenders. Both skis are designed with the advanced skier in mind, offering a blend of power, versatility, and lightweight construction. The Ripstick 96 is a hard-charging, forgiving, and versatile ski that's perfect for those who want to improve their technique on and off the groomers. The Ripstick 88, on the other hand, is a phenomenal carving ski that's playful enough to venture off-piste. Both skis feature Elan's unique Amphibio profile and carbon rod technology for increased edge hold and smooth turns. However, the Ripstick 96 is slightly more forgiving and easier to turn, making it a better choice for intermediate to advanced skiers. The Ripstick 88, with its narrower waist, is more suited to hardpack and groomed runs, but still offers enough versatility for occasional off-piste adventures.

Elan Ripstick 96 Skis · 2024 summary

The Elan Ripstick 96 Skis · 2024 is an all-mountain ski that combines powder performance versatility with a lightweight and energetic design. It features Elan's unique technology called tube light, which is a carbon rod that runs through the core of the ski. This technology creates stiffness, power, and control underfoot. The regular Ripstick 96 has two rods, while the Black Edition has four rods, making it more powerful and less forgiving.

The Ripstick 96 is a great choice for intermediate to advanced skiers who want to improve their technique in carving, moguls, and groomers. It's also a popular choice for those looking for a hybrid binding for a mix of uphill and downhill skiing. The ski is designed with a notch at the tail for skins, indicating its versatility for touring.

Despite its power, the Ripstick 96 is lightweight and easy to turn, making it a great choice for those who want a ski that's both hard-charging and forgiving.

Elan Ripstick 88 Skis · 2024 summary

The Elan Ripstick 88 Skis · 2024 is a versatile all-mountain ski that offers a smooth yet forgiving ride. It's designed with Elan's innovative TNT Technology and unique Amphibio profile, making it agile, smooth, and easy to ski. The ski is optimized with Elan's unique Amphibio profile, which provides a designated left and right ski, resulting in a unique fun feeling while carving.

The Ripstick 88 is a phenomenal carving ski that has the liveliness and playfulness to get off-piste as well. It's perfect for skiers who demand versatility, agility, and performance in every condition. The ski is lightweight and agile without sacrificing downhill stability, thanks to its carbon and wood construction.

The Ripstick 88 is a great fit for skiers who enjoy both on-piste and off-trail skiing. It excels at carving on groomers and performs well in soft snow, making it suitable for powder days and glade skiing.

Similarities

Both the Elan Ripstick 96 and the Elan Ripstick 88 are designed for all-mountain skiing, offering a blend of power, versatility, and lightweight construction. They both feature Elan's unique Amphibio profile and carbon rod technology, which provides increased edge hold and smooth turns. Both skis are agile, smooth, and easy to ski, making them suitable for a variety of conditions. They are both designed with a notch at the tail for skins, indicating their versatility for touring.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both skis are designed for all-mountain skiing, they cater to slightly different personas. The Elan Ripstick 96 is more forgiving and easier to turn, making it a better choice for intermediate to advanced skiers who want to improve their technique on and off the groomers. It's also a popular choice for those looking for a hybrid binding for a mix of uphill and downhill skiing.

On the other hand, the Elan Ripstick 88, with its narrower waist, is more suited to hardpack and groomed runs, but still offers enough versatility for occasional off-piste adventures. It's perfect for skiers who demand versatility, agility, and performance in every condition.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to versatility, both skis perform well in a variety of conditions, but the Ripstick 96 has a slight edge due to its wider waist and more forgiving nature.

In terms of power and control, the Ripstick 96 Black Edition, with its four carbon rods, offers more power and less forgiveness, making it a better choice for advanced to expert skiers.

For lightweight construction, both skis are lightweight and agile, but the Ripstick 96 is slightly lighter, making it a better choice for those looking for a hybrid binding for a mix of uphill and downhill skiing.

Finally, for carving performance, the Ripstick 88, with its narrower waist, offers a phenomenal carving experience, making it a better choice for those who primarily ski on groomers but occasionally venture off-piste.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Elan Ripstick 96 and the Elan Ripstick 88 are excellent choices for all-mountain skis. They both offer a blend of power, versatility, and lightweight construction, making them suitable for a variety of conditions. However, the Ripstick 96 is slightly more forgiving and easier to turn, making it a better choice for intermediate to advanced skiers. On the other hand, the Ripstick 88, with its narrower waist, is more suited to hardpack and groomed runs, but still offers enough versatility for occasional off-piste adventures. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on your personal skiing style and the conditions you typically ski in.