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Expert Comparison: Völkl Kendo 88 Skis · 2023 vs Elan Ripstick 96 Skis · 2024

Published on 02/11/2024 · 5 min readCompare Völkl Kendo 88 Skis · 2023 and Elan Ripstick 96 Skis · 2024. Get expert insight below!
Dennis Walton, Ski Expert
Leo C, Ski Expert
Jake Renner, Ski Expert
Contributed By Ski Expert Dennis Walton, Leo C, Jake Renner, Gary Neft, Jacob G and others

VS

 

Side by side comparison

Out of stock
Völkl Kendo 88 Skis · 2023
Out of stock
Elan Ripstick 96 Skis · 2024
Price
$419.99
40% off
$449.99
40% off
User rating
5(1)
5(4)
The Curated Take
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Best for skiers who enjoy carving on groomers and occasionally venture off-trail.

Ski type
Carving, All Mountain, Freeride
All Mountain, Freeride
Skill level
Intermediate, Advanced
Intermediate, Advanced
Rocker profile
Rocker/Camber/Rocker
Rocker/Camber/Rocker

In the world of skiing, the Völkl Kendo 88 Skis and the Elan Ripstick 96 Skis are two top contenders. Both are versatile all-mountain skis that offer a blend of performance, agility, and stability. The Kendo 88 skis are known for their stability at higher speeds and their ability to carve on groomed runs and hardpacked snow. On the other hand, the Ripstick 96 skis are praised for their lightweight construction and their ability to handle a variety of terrain. While both skis are excellent choices, the Kendo 88 skis are more suited for advanced to expert skiers who spend most of their time on groomers, while the Ripstick 96 skis are ideal for those who want a ski that's light, versatile, and easy to turn.

The Völkl Kendo 88 skis are a versatile all-mountain option that offers a combination of performance and agility on a variety of terrain. With an 88mm waist width, these skis strike a balance between carving on groomed runs and maneuverability in variable conditions. The construction of the Kendo 88 skis incorporates high-quality materials to optimize performance. They feature a wood core combined with layers of titanal metal, which provides stability, dampness, and power transmission. This construction enhances the ski's responsiveness, edge hold, and overall performance.

In terms of on-snow performance, the Kendo 88 skis excel in a variety of conditions with more of an emphasis on groomers and hardpacked snow. Their light amount of camber underfoot provides reliable edge grip and precise carving on firm snow, while the slight rocker in the tip and tail adds maneuverability and helps with turn initiation. This combination makes them effective on groomed runs, moguls, and even lighter amounts of soft snow. The Kendo 88 skis are known for their stability at higher speeds, offering a smooth and confident ride. Their construction and shape contribute to excellent energy transfer and edge control, allowing for powerful turns and a solid connection with the snow.

These are going to carve like crazy, and still let you hit the fresh snow, Groomers to trees lets do it with these. But these still have a wider shovel up front with a bit of rocker to handle some boot top powder if there's an unexpected storm. They are agile and quick edge-to-edge, but if you want to arc them fast down wide open groomers, they'll stay stable and confident. These have Volkl's '3D turn radii', meaning that you have 3 different turn radii packed into one ski. So you can make short quick turns, or long GS style turns.

Dennis Walton
Ski Expert

The Elan Ripstick 96 skis are a unique blend of lightweight performance that can handle any snow conditions. With its Amphibio Carbon Line Technology, re-shaped tip and tail taper design, and wide enough waist to handle powder yet narrow enough for front side grip and rip, this ski provides exceptional maneuverability and edge grip. The Ripstick 96 skis are praised for their lightweight construction and their ability to handle a variety of terrain. They are also capable of handling soft snow and float well in powder, making them ideal for glade skiing. However, they may not perform as well on hard pack moguls due to their stiffer tail.

The Ripstick 96 skis are also known for their unique asymmetrical shape, which provides a fun and unique feeling while carving. They are also light and versatile, making them suitable for skiers of various skill levels. However, they may take some time to get used to due to their asymmetrical shape. Overall, these skis are recommended for those who favor groomers but occasionally venture off-trail.

The Elan Ripstick 96 Skis are the ultimate freeride ski that doubles as an all-mountain ski for those who want ultimate versatility on the mountain. Praised by magazine testers and professional skiers alike, this ski is a unique blend of lightweight performance that can handle any snow conditions.

Leo C
Ski Expert

Similarities

Both the Völkl Kendo 88 Skis and the Elan Ripstick 96 Skis are versatile all-mountain skis that are designed to handle a variety of terrain. They both excel in carving on groomers and offer a balance between performance and agility. Both skis are praised for their stability and edge control, allowing for powerful turns and a solid connection with the snow. They also both have some rocker in the tip and tail to help with turn initiation and performance in soft snow.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both skis are versatile all-mountain options, they cater to slightly different personas. The Völkl Kendo 88 Skis are more suited for advanced to expert skiers who spend most of their time on groomers. They are known for their stability at higher speeds and their ability to carve on groomed runs and hardpacked snow.

On the other hand, the Elan Ripstick 96 Skis are ideal for those who want a ski that's light, versatile, and easy to turn. They are praised for their lightweight construction and their ability to handle a variety of terrain. They are also capable of handling soft snow and float well in powder, making them ideal for glade skiing. However, they may not perform as well on hard pack moguls due to their stiffer tail.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to performance on groomers, the Völkl Kendo 88 Skis take the lead with their excellent edge grip and precise carving on firm snow. For versatility, the Elan Ripstick 96 Skis come out on top with their ability to handle a variety of terrain and conditions. In terms of weight, the Ripstick 96 skis win with their lightweight construction. Finally, for stability at higher speeds, the Kendo 88 skis are the clear winner with their smooth and confident ride.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Völkl Kendo 88 Skis and the Elan Ripstick 96 Skis are excellent choices for all-mountain skis. They both offer a blend of performance, agility, and stability that can handle a variety of terrain. However, they cater to slightly different personas. The Kendo 88 skis are more suited for advanced to expert skiers who spend most of their time on groomers, while the Ripstick 96 skis are ideal for those who want a ski that's light, versatile, and easy to turn. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on your personal skiing style and preferences.

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