In the world of women's skis, the Völkl Blaze 94 W Skis and the Elan Ripstick 94 W Skis are two top contenders for the 2023 and 2024 seasons respectively. Both skis are designed for intermediate to advanced skiers and offer a versatile all-mountain experience. The Völkl Blaze 94 W Skis are praised for their lightweight and responsive design, making them a great choice for skiers looking to progress into advanced levels. On the other hand, the Elan Ripstick 94 W Skis are known for their unique amphibio profile and lightweight design, making them a great option for backcountry touring. While both skis have their strengths, the final verdict will depend on the specific needs and preferences of the skier.

Völkl Blaze 94 W Skis · Women's · 2023 summary

The Völkl Blaze 94 W Skis are a versatile all-mountain ski designed for intermediate skiers who want to progress into advanced skiing levels. These skis are lightweight and responsive, making them a great choice for skiers who love to turn on a dime in any terrain. The Blaze's short turn radius and sporty design offer an incredibly fun and responsive turning experience that requires little effort.

The Blaze uses Vokl's 3D radius sidecut, allowing skiers to lay big arcs or quick slalom turns. This makes the Blaze a freeride machine that loves to get off into trees, side hits, moguls, and light powder. The Blaze is also equipped with a 0.3mm thick layer of titanal across the binding platform, creating an impressively direct power transfer from skier movement to ski action. This enhances the ski's liveliness and maneuverability for any turn shape.

Now in its third year, the Blaze continues to impress. It's lighter, quicker, and sportier than some of Volkl's more piste-oriented skis. The Blaze is designed for short fast turns and offers a direct power transfer from edge to edge. It's versatile for various riding styles and is agile and responsive, making it suitable for intermediate skiers.

Elan Ripstick 94 W Skis · Women's · 2024 summary

The Elan Ripstick 94 W Skis are a freeride ski that's good for frontside and backside terrain, along with resort and backcountry skiing. These skis are built very lightweight, making them a great backcountry touring setup option. The Ripstick 94 W Skis are designed with an amphibio profile, which means that there's a left ski and a right ski. This unique design can help with carving and enhance the skiing experience all over the mountain.

The Ripstick 94 W Skis are also equipped with carbon rods that give it incredible torsional strength as you lay arcing turns down groomers and ice. But with a 94 mm waist, the Ripstick is just as capable of venturing off-piste through trees and surfing over soft snow. The Ripstick is incredibly light, maneuverable, and fun ski that can appeal to both upper intermediates all the way to experts.

The Ripstick 94 W Skis are also known for their great edge hold and stability on groomers. They are easy to control at speed on the groomers, but can get a little bit wobbly at high speeds off the groomers. Despite this, they are still perfectly stable on jumps and are easy to maneuver in trees.

Similarities

Both the Völkl Blaze 94 W Skis and the Elan Ripstick 94 W Skis are designed for intermediate to advanced skiers and offer a versatile all-mountain experience. They are both lightweight and responsive, making them great options for skiers who love to turn on a dime in any terrain. Both skis are designed with a short turn radius and are equipped with technology that enhances their liveliness and maneuverability for any turn shape.

Both skis are also designed for off-piste skiing, with the ability to venture into trees, side hits, moguls, and light powder. They both have a 94mm waist width, making them suitable for both powder and groomers. Both skis also offer a direct power transfer from edge to edge, enhancing their performance on the slopes.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both skis are designed for intermediate to advanced skiers, the Völkl Blaze 94 W Skis are particularly suitable for skiers who are looking to progress into advanced skiing levels. The Blaze's sporty design and 3D radius sidecut make it a great choice for skiers who love to lay big arcs or quick slalom turns.

On the other hand, the Elan Ripstick 94 W Skis are a great option for skiers who are looking for a lightweight ski that can handle all conditions. The Ripstick's unique amphibio profile and carbon rods provide stability and precision in every turn. The Ripstick is also a great option for backcountry touring due to its lightweight design.

In terms of differences, the Völkl Blaze 94 W Skis feature a 0.3mm thick layer of titanal across the binding platform, while the Elan Ripstick 94 W Skis feature carbon rods for torsional strength. The Blaze is also in its third year, while the Ripstick is a newer model for the 2024 season.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to versatility, both skis perform well in a variety of conditions and terrains. However, the Völkl Blaze 94 W Skis might have a slight edge due to their 3D radius sidecut and titanal layer, which enhance their performance in different turn shapes and conditions.

In terms of weight, the Elan Ripstick 94 W Skis come out on top. Their lightweight design makes them a great option for backcountry touring and for skiers who prefer a lighter ski.

For edge hold and stability, both skis perform well. However, the Elan Ripstick 94 W Skis' unique amphibio profile and carbon rods provide exceptional stability and precision in turns, giving them the edge in this category.

Finally, for progression, the Völkl Blaze 94 W Skis are the clear winner. They are designed for intermediate skiers who want to progress into advanced skiing levels, making them a great choice for skiers looking to improve their skills.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Völkl Blaze 94 W Skis and the Elan Ripstick 94 W Skis are excellent options for intermediate to advanced skiers looking for a versatile all-mountain experience. The Völkl Blaze 94 W Skis are particularly suitable for skiers looking to progress into advanced skiing levels, while the Elan Ripstick 94 W Skis are a great option for skiers who prefer a lightweight ski that can handle all conditions.

While both skis have their strengths, the final verdict will depend on the specific needs and preferences of the skier. Whether you're looking for a ski that's sporty and responsive or one that's lightweight and stable, both the Völkl Blaze 94 W Skis and the Elan Ripstick 94 W Skis have a lot to offer. So, get out there and hit the slopes!