In the world of women's all-mountain skis, two models stand out: the Salomon QST Lux 92 and the Elan Ripstick 88 W. Both are designed for intermediate to advanced skiers and offer a blend of performance, versatility, and stability. The Salomon QST Lux 92 is a revamped version of the old Lux, packing extra power and stability into its tips. It's a demanding ski that requires a driver to be forward on their skis, but once they get moving, they plow through anything. On the other hand, the Elan Ripstick 88 W is a versatile and progressive all-mountain ski. It's agile, smooth, and offers direct power transmission. Both skis are packed with innovative technologies that enhance their performance. However, they cater to different types of skiers and terrains. The final verdict? It depends on your skiing style and preferences.

Salomon QST Lux 92 Skis · Women's · 2024 summary

The Salomon QST Lux 92 Skis are a revamped version of the old Lux, designed to be a directional all-mountain charger. They pack extra power and stability into their tips, making them a more demanding ski that requires a driver to be forward on their skis. However, once they get moving, they plow through anything, making them ideal for variable, choppy, and uneven terrain.

One of the standout features of these skis is their shape. They have a bit of extra rocker through their tips, which means their effective edge starts further down the ski. This design makes them easier to initiate turns with. In contrast, they have a lot of camber underfoot, which allows you to really lay into a turn. They're able to accept all the power you put into them without sliding out on you.

These skis are stiff, which means they pack a lot of power. They require quite a bit of energy to get turning, but once they are turning, they are really fun throughout the turn. They have excellent edge hold and do well in terms of speed. They also have a lot of energy and acceleration, especially if you can put some power into the tips.

While they are not the most playful skis in the conventional sense, someone who knows how to power through them can have a lot of fun. They are not ideal for skiing switch or for the park, but they can handle jumps and are very stable upon landing. They are not especially surfy or floaty in powder, but they are great in uneven terrain and chunder. They are moderately maneuverable through the trees, but they are a demanding ski that requires a forward riding style.

Elan Ripstick 88 W Skis · Women's · 2024 summary

The Elan Ripstick 88 W Skis are designed for intermediate and advanced women skiers who want a versatile all-mountain ski. They are packed with features like Amphibio Technology, Carbon Line Technology, and SST Sidewalls, which offer precision, stability, and smooth transitions. The 88mm width strikes a balance between on-piste performance and off-piste versatility.

The Ripstick 88 W Skis are agile and easy to ski. They offer excellent edge grip, performance, and stability, making them perfect for charging down the mountain or navigating through glades. They are also suitable for skinning/touring due to their low weight.

One of the standout features of these skis 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. This makes them a great choice for skiers who want a smooth and forgiving ride that is agile and easy to ski.

These skis are designed to shine on groomed trails but also allow access to off-piste conditions anywhere in the U.S. They are a great pick for skiers looking for one ski to rule them all.

Similarities

Both the Salomon QST Lux 92 and the Elan Ripstick 88 W are designed for intermediate to advanced women skiers who want a versatile all-mountain ski. They both offer a blend of performance, versatility, and stability. Both skis are packed with innovative technologies that enhance their performance on the mountain. They both have a similar width underfoot, which strikes a balance between on-piste performance and off-piste versatility. Both skis are designed to handle a variety of terrains and conditions, from groomed trails to off-piste conditions.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both skis are designed for all-mountain skiing, they cater to different types of skiers and terrains. The Salomon QST Lux 92 is a more demanding ski that requires a driver to be forward on their skis. It's ideal for skiers who like to charge hard and plow through anything. It's also a great choice for East Coasters and all-mountain skiers. However, it's not a beginner ski and can feel daunting for someone who's just getting into skiing.

On the other hand, the Elan Ripstick 88 W is a versatile and progressive ski that offers agility, smoothness, and direct power transmission. It's a great choice for skiers who want a smooth and forgiving ride that is agile and easy to ski. It's also suitable for skinning/touring due to its low weight. However, it's not the best choice for bottomless powder skiing.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to power and stability, the Salomon QST Lux 92 takes the lead. Its design packs extra power and stability into its tips, making it a more demanding ski that can plow through anything.

In terms of versatility and agility, the Elan Ripstick 88 W comes out on top. Its innovative technologies and design make it a versatile and progressive ski that offers agility, smoothness, and direct power transmission.

For ease of use and forgiveness, the Elan Ripstick 88 W wins again. Its design makes it a smooth and forgiving ride that is agile and easy to ski.

Finally, for off-piste performance, the Salomon QST Lux 92 is the winner. While it's not the most playful ski, it's great in uneven terrain and chunder, and it's moderately maneuverable through the trees.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Salomon QST Lux 92 and the Elan Ripstick 88 W are excellent choices for intermediate to advanced women skiers looking for a versatile all-mountain ski. They both offer a blend of performance, versatility, and stability, and are packed with innovative technologies that enhance their performance on the mountain.

However, they cater to different types of skiers and terrains. The Salomon QST Lux 92 is a more demanding ski that requires a driver to be forward on their skis. It's ideal for skiers who like to charge hard and plow through anything. On the other hand, the Elan Ripstick 88 W is a versatile and progressive ski that offers agility, smoothness, and direct power transmission. It's a great choice for skiers who want a smooth and forgiving ride that is agile and easy to ski.

In the end, the choice between the two comes down to your skiing style and preferences. If you're a hard-charging skier who likes to plow through anything, the Salomon QST Lux 92 is the ski for you. But if you're looking for a versatile and progressive ski that offers agility, smoothness, and direct power transmission, the Elan Ripstick 88 W is the way to go.