Expert Comparison: Rossignol Blackops 98 Open Skis · 2024 vs Elan Ripstick 96 Skis · 2024
VS
Side by side comparison | Out of stock | Out of stock |
|---|---|---|
Price | from:$479.97 40% off | $449.99 40% off |
The Curated Take | Best for discerning skiers seeking a versatile, all-mountain, playful ski. | Best for skiers who enjoy carving on groomers and occasionally venture off-trail. |
User rating | -- | 5(4) |
Ski type | Freeride | All Mountain, Freeride |
Skill level | Advanced, Expert | Intermediate, Advanced |
Rocker profile | Rocker/Camber/Rocker | Rocker/Camber/Rocker |
In the world of skiing, the Rossignol Blackops 98 and the Elan Ripstick 96 are two top contenders for the 2024 season. Both skis are designed for all-mountain use, with a focus on freeride and freestyle capabilities. The Rossignol Blackops 98 is a versatile ski that offers a fun and responsive ride, while the Elan Ripstick 96 is known for its lightweight design and easy maneuverability. Both skis are praised for their ability to handle a variety of terrain and conditions, but they each have their unique strengths and weaknesses. The Rossignol Blackops 98 is a great choice for skiers who want a ski that can handle off-mountain conditions and provide a snappy edge-to-edge experience. On the other hand, the Elan Ripstick 96 is ideal for skiers who value a lightweight, easy-to-turn ski that can handle both on-piste and off-trail skiing. In the end, the choice between these two skis will come down to personal preference and skiing style.
The Rossignol Blackops 98 is a freeride-oriented ski that is designed to provide a fun and responsive ride. This ski is not specifically a park ski, but it is more freeride-oriented. It is a great choice for skiers who are looking for a ski that can handle off-mountain conditions. The Blackops 98 is snappy edge to edge and is known for its responsiveness. When you're ready to turn, these skis will turn right with you, regardless of when that is. They're great at dumping speed and are happy to go straight and fast for the most part.
The Blackops 98 is stable underfoot and is a bit of a charger. It's got the weight that's going to get you through rudded soft bumps and moguls in the spring. It's going to be a good option for when the powder is tracked out. However, on ice, it's not super fun. These skis are fairly stiff and damp underfoot compared to the tips and tails, which are quite soft. If you are on ice and hardpack, these skis are likely going to give you a fair amount of chatter and feel unstable to you. But when you are in softer conditions, slush, end of season when it's warm out, or even soft snow, these are going to be totally fine.
The Blackops 98 is not marketed as park skis, but they are very maneuverable. You can swing them around pretty easily. They're not super heavy, but they're also not super light. They function quite well at speed as long as the snow is soft. Once you get into more off-trail, longer radius turns, or ice and hardpack, they struggle a little bit more at speed. They are definitely a little bit more unstable.
[Theo] I had a fairly nice time skiing the Blackops 98. I would say it's a good option if you like a stable all-mountain ski and want a twin tip, which is exactly what Rossignol said. Maybe they were careful not to expand the definition into freestyle. It has a loose tip, but the flex in terms of being soft and poppy ends after that. Through that zone, it's really a stable charger of a ski. It's sort of neither here nor there in terms of its flex profile.
[Theo] I had a fairly nice time skiing the Blackops 98. I would say it's a good option if you like a stable all-mountain ski and want a twin tip, which is exactly what Rossignol said. Maybe they were careful not to expand the definition into freestyle. It has a loose tip, but the flex in terms of being soft and poppy ends after that. Through that zone, it's really a stable charger of a ski. It's sort of neither here nor there in terms of its flex profile.
Rossignol Blackops 98 Open Skis · 2024
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Elan Ripstick 96 Skis · 2024 summary
The Elan Ripstick 96 is a versatile all-mountain ski that is known for its lightweight design and easy maneuverability. This ski is designed with a unique asymmetrical shape that provides a fun and unique feeling while carving. The Ripstick 96 is also capable of handling soft snow and floats well in powder, making it ideal for glade skiing. However, it may not perform as well on hard pack moguls due to its stiffer tail.
The Ripstick 96 is a very common ski that you'll see a hybrid binding on for a little bit of tour mix uphill. It's designed with versatility in mind and has a little Notch here at the tail that's designed for skins. The Ripstick 96 is a perfect option for handling a good variety of terrain. It still has some rocker in the tip and tail to help when you're in soft snow, but the shape of this ski makes it really easy to turn. It actually likes turning more than not turning, which is a lot of fun. It just requires a little more caution if you want to just point your skis down the hill.
The Ripstick 96 is a great fit for skiers who enjoy both on-piste and off-trail skiing. These skis excel at carving on groomers and provide a fun and unique feeling while carving. They also perform well in soft snow and have good float, making them suitable for powder days and glade skiing. However, they may not perform as well in hard pack moguls due to having a stiffer tail. Overall, these skis are lightweight, versatile, and recommended for skiers who favor groomers but occasionally venture off-trail.
The Elan RipStik 96 in RipStik 96 Black Edition are great choices. If you are looking for an all-mountain ski that combined a good mixture of powder performance versatility all-mountain as well as something that's lightweight and energetic. So let's talk a little bit about the differences between the two models because if you've arrived here, you're probably at that point that's like what's the difference?
The Elan RipStik 96 in RipStik 96 Black Edition are great choices. If you are looking for an all-mountain ski that combined a good mixture of powder performance versatility all-mountain as well as something that's lightweight and energetic. So let's talk a little bit about the differences between the two models because if you've arrived here, you're probably at that point that's like what's the difference?
Elan Ripstick 96 Skis · 2024
- We price match
- Returnable
Similarities
Both the Rossignol Blackops 98 and the Elan Ripstick 96 are designed for all-mountain use, with a focus on freeride and freestyle capabilities. They are both praised for their ability to handle a variety of terrain and conditions, from groomers to off-piste. Both skis are known for their responsiveness and maneuverability, making them a joy to ski on. They both have some rocker in the tip and tail to help when you're in soft snow, and they both have a shape that makes them easy to turn. Both skis are also designed with versatility in mind, making them suitable for a wide range of skiers and skiing styles.
Differences and Who They're Good For
While both skis are designed for all-mountain use, they each have their unique strengths and weaknesses. The Rossignol Blackops 98 is a great choice for skiers who want a ski that can handle off-mountain conditions and provide a snappy edge-to-edge experience. It's a bit of a charger and is stable underfoot, making it a good option for skiers who like to go fast and hard. However, it may not be the best choice for skiers who spend a lot of time on ice, as it can give a fair amount of chatter and feel unstable in these conditions.
On the other hand, the Elan Ripstick 96 is ideal for skiers who value a lightweight, easy-to-turn ski that can handle both on-piste and off-trail skiing. It's known for its lightweight design and easy maneuverability, making it a joy to ski on. However, it may not perform as well on hard pack moguls due to its stiffer tail. It's a great choice for skiers who favor groomers but occasionally venture off-trail.
Analysis on Who’s the Winner
When it comes to versatility, both skis perform well, but the Elan Ripstick 96 might have a slight edge due to its lightweight design and easy maneuverability. For off-mountain performance, the Rossignol Blackops 98 takes the lead with its snappy edge-to-edge experience and stability underfoot. In terms of carving, both skis are praised for their ability to carve, but the Rossignol Blackops 98 might have a slight advantage due to its responsiveness. Lastly, for freestyle capabilities, neither ski is specifically marketed as a park ski, but the Rossignol Blackops 98 is noted to be more maneuverable, giving it a slight edge in this category.
Conclusions
In conclusion, both the Rossignol Blackops 98 and the Elan Ripstick 96 are excellent choices for all-mountain skis. They both offer a versatile and fun ride that can handle a variety of terrain and conditions. The Rossignol Blackops 98 is a great choice for skiers who want a ski that can handle off-mountain conditions and provide a snappy edge-to-edge experience. On the other hand, the Elan Ripstick 96 is ideal for skiers who value a lightweight, easy-to-turn ski that can handle both on-piste and off-trail skiing. Ultimately, the choice between these two skis will come down to personal preference and skiing style. So, whether you're a speed demon who loves to charge down the mountain or a casual skier who enjoys a leisurely ride, both of these skis have something to offer.
