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Expert Comparison: Elan Ripstick 88 W Skis · Women's · 2024 vs Blizzard Black Pearl 82 Skis · Women's · 2024

Published on 02/08/2024 · 5 min readCompare Elan Ripstick 88 W Skis · Women's · 2024 and Blizzard Black Pearl 82 Skis · Women's · 2024. Get expert insight below!
Luke H., Ski Expert
Henry Kvietok, Ski Expert
Chris D., Ski Expert
Contributed By Ski Expert Luke H., Henry Kvietok, Chris D., Charlotte H, Sammy S. and others

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Side by side comparison

Out of stock
Elan Ripstick 88 W Skis · Women's · 2024
Top pick!
Blizzard Black Pearl 82 Skis · Women's · 2024
Price
$389.99
40% off
$324.98
50% off
The Curated Take

Best for intermediate and advanced women skiers seeking a versatile all-mountain ski with precision, stability, and smooth transitions.

Best for progressing intermediate level skiers seeking versatility and maneuverability.

User rating
--
5(3)
Ski type
All Mountain, Freeride
All Mountain
Skill level
Intermediate, Advanced
Intermediate, Advanced
Rocker profile
Rocker/Camber/Rocker
Rocker/Camber/Rocker

In the world of women's skis, the Elan Ripstick 88 W Skis and the Blizzard Black Pearl 82 Skis are two top contenders for the 2024 season. Both skis are designed for intermediate to advanced skiers and are packed with innovative technology to enhance performance on the slopes. The Elan Ripstick 88 W Skis are known for their versatility, playfulness, and stability, making them a great choice for those who want to conquer the entire mountain. On the other hand, the Blizzard Black Pearl 82 Skis are praised for their agility, smoothness, and direct power transmission, making them a great choice for those who want a versatile and progressive all-mountain ski. While both skis have their strengths, the final verdict will depend on the specific needs and preferences of the skier.

The Elan Ripstick 88 W Skis are a true all-mountain ski designed for intermediate and advanced skiers. The ski's name says it all - it rips! It's light and lively, yet super stable for carving it up on hard pack and icy groomers. The ski boasts a clean rocker shovel to absorb some of what's ahead and even let you float around a bit in some fresh snow.

The Elan Ripstick series is an award-winning lineup packed with a number of tech features that give this ski its versatility, playfulness, response & rebound, solid edge hold, and stability at speeds. The SST Sidewall, Tubelight Core, Carbon Rods, Fiberglass & Vapor Tip reinforcements give this ski its hand-charging personality. But what really stands out is the Amphibio Technology. This innovative tech integrates rocker and camber profiles into right and left specific skis, resulting in precision, forgiveness, stability, grip, and smooth transitions in and out of turns.

The Elan Ripstick 88 W Skis are designed and skied by women in search of a true all-mountain ski. They are perfect for those who want to conquer the entire mountain, with an emphasis on groomed terrain. However, they are not ideal for bottomless pow skis.

The Ripstick is an incredibly lightweight ski with the confidence and edge hold of a heavier ski. Elan lays carbon rods over the edges of the ski to give it great edge hold in any snow condition, but the ski is very nimble and energetic due to its lightweight build. It's easy to turn, but you'll have a lot of fun doing so!

Luke H.
Ski Expert

The Blizzard Black Pearl 82 Skis are a versatile and progressive all-mountain ski designed for women. They are perfect for those who want a ski that can handle any terrain with confidence. The skis are made with a Trueblend core and a Carbon Flipcore, providing agility, smoothness, and direct power transmission. The 82mm width strikes the perfect balance between on-piste performance and off-piste versatility.

The Blizzard Black Pearl 82 Skis are most at home in long turns. They have a 15-meter radius, making you feel really nice and locked into those long fast turns. The edge hold on this ski is fantastic, making it a great tool for someone on the East Coast that’s skiing a lot of firm snow. The ski is pretty soft to middle of the road, making it great for someone who doesn't want a ski that's going to be too aggressive but does still want some stability on firm snow.

The Blizzard Black Pearl 82 Skis are not a great park ski option. They are not the most playful when in tighter areas where you want your skis to be a little more nimble. However, once you get onto a wider open groomer and really lay your skis over, they are pretty playful.

The Black Pearl is a best seller for a reason. It's a great do it all ski for East Coast conditions. Hardpack ice, light powder, heavy spring slush, variable crud - it can do it all! At 82 underfoot, it's rather nimble from edge to edge.

Henry Kvietok
Ski Expert

Similarities

Both the Elan Ripstick 88 W Skis and the Blizzard Black Pearl 82 Skis are designed for intermediate to advanced skiers and are part of the all-mountain category. They both have a rocker-camber-rocker profile, which provides a balance of stability and playfulness. Both skis are praised for their edge hold, making them great for carving on groomed trails. They are also both designed with innovative technology to enhance performance on the slopes. Both skis are lightweight, making them easy to maneuver and ideal for skiers looking to progress and improve their skills.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both skis are designed for intermediate to advanced skiers, they cater to slightly different preferences and skiing styles. The Elan Ripstick 88 W Skis are known for their versatility and playfulness, making them a great choice for those who want to conquer the entire mountain. They are particularly good for skiers who enjoy groomed terrain but also want the ability to venture off-piste. However, they are not ideal for bottomless pow skis.

On the other hand, the Blizzard Black Pearl 82 Skis are praised for their agility, smoothness, and direct power transmission. They are perfect for those who want a versatile and progressive all-mountain ski that can handle any terrain with confidence. They are particularly good for skiers who enjoy long, fast turns and skiing on firm snow. However, they are not the most playful in tighter areas and are not a great park ski option.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

  1. Versatility: The Elan Ripstick 88 W Skis take the win in this category due to their ability to handle a wider range of terrain and conditions.
  2. Playfulness: The Elan Ripstick 88 W Skis also win in this category due to their playful nature and ability to make skiing fun and enjoyable.
  3. Stability: The Blizzard Black Pearl 82 Skis win in this category due to their strong edge hold and stability on firm snow.
  4. Agility: The Blizzard Black Pearl 82 Skis also win in this category due to their agility and smoothness, making them easy to maneuver.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Elan Ripstick 88 W Skis and the Blizzard Black Pearl 82 Skis are excellent choices for intermediate to advanced skiers. The Elan Ripstick 88 W Skis are a great choice for those who want a versatile and playful ski that can handle a variety of terrain and conditions. On the other hand, the Blizzard Black Pearl 82 Skis are perfect for those who want a stable and agile ski that excels on firm snow and long, fast turns. The final decision will depend on the specific needs and preferences of the skier. So, whether you're a groomer lover or an all-mountain adventurer, there's a ski out there that's perfect for you!

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