In the world of all-mountain skis, two models stand out for their exceptional performance and unique features: the Salomon Stance 96 Skis · 2023 and the Elan Ripstick 96 Skis · 2024. Both skis are designed for advanced skiers and offer a blend of speed, stability, and versatility that can handle a variety of terrains and conditions.

The Salomon Stance 96 is a well-balanced, metal-reinforced ski that is smooth and quiet while remaining energetic and playful. It's a great ski for skiers who love to charge but want something with just enough forgiveness to be fun in less-than-ideal conditions. On the other hand, the Elan Ripstick 96 is a lightweight, agile ski that excels at providing powerful edge-to-edge turns on-piste but is no stranger to big mountain terrain.

While both skis are excellent choices for advanced skiers, the Salomon Stance 96 is slightly cheaper and offers a more nuanced construction. However, the Elan Ripstick 96 is lighter and more agile, making it a great choice for skiers who value maneuverability and quick turns.

In the end, the choice between the two will come down to personal preference and skiing style. But no matter which one you choose, you're sure to have a blast on the slopes!

Salomon Stance 96 Skis · 2023 summary

The Salomon Stance 96 Skis · 2023 is a well-balanced, metal-reinforced, all-mountain ski that is smooth and quiet while remaining energetic and playful. This ski is designed for skiers who love to charge, but want something with just enough forgiveness to be fun in less-than-ideal conditions.

The Stance 96 is a directional all-mountain charger that stands out from its competition thanks to its reasonable price point and nuanced construction. It is happy to ski the additional bump and it loves to make all lengths of turns. The ski is built to ski groomers, no matter how recently groomed, and does it with poise and power.

The Stance 96 is also very stable thanks to the camber and metal construction. It has no speed limit and the two sheets of metal and 96mm waist mean these things grip up in all conditions. However, these skis lack float and are firmly in the hard-snow camp for a mid-90s ski. They are also not meant to be taken into the park nor backcountry and would not excel there.

Elan Ripstick 96 Skis · 2024 summary

The Elan Ripstick 96 Skis · 2024 is a lightweight, agile ski that excels at providing powerful edge-to-edge turns on-piste but is no stranger to big mountain terrain. The ski is designed with a unique asymmetrical shape that provides a fun and unique feeling while carving.

The Ripstick 96 is a very versatile ski that can handle a variety of terrains and conditions. It 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.

The Ripstick 96 is also light enough for hiking and a lot of people use this ski to put a touring binding on. However, it can chatter at very high speeds and its tight tails can be challenging in moguls and trees.

Similarities

Both the Salomon Stance 96 Skis · 2023 and the Elan Ripstick 96 Skis · 2024 are designed for advanced skiers and are capable of handling a variety of terrains and conditions. They both excel at carving and provide a fun and unique feeling while doing so.

Both skis are also designed with a focus on stability and control. The Salomon Stance 96 uses a metal-reinforced construction for stability, while the Elan Ripstick 96 uses a unique asymmetrical shape for control.

Additionally, both skis are praised for their versatility. The Salomon Stance 96 is a well-balanced ski that is smooth and quiet while remaining energetic and playful, while the Elan Ripstick 96 is a lightweight, agile ski that excels at providing powerful edge-to-edge turns on-piste but is no stranger to big mountain terrain.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both skis are designed for advanced skiers, they cater to slightly different personas. The Salomon Stance 96 Skis · 2023 is ideal for skiers who love to charge and want a ski that is smooth and quiet while remaining energetic and playful. This ski is great for skiers who love to carve and want a ski that can handle a variety of conditions.

On the other hand, the Elan Ripstick 96 Skis · 2024 is perfect for skiers who value maneuverability and quick turns. This ski is lighter and more agile than the Salomon Stance 96, making it a great choice for skiers who want a ski that is easy to turn and can handle a variety of terrains and conditions.

In terms of differences, the Salomon Stance 96 is slightly cheaper and offers a more nuanced construction. However, the Elan Ripstick 96 is lighter and more agile, making it a great choice for skiers who value maneuverability and quick turns.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

1. Performance: Both skis perform exceptionally well in a variety of conditions, but the Salomon Stance 96's metal-reinforced construction gives it a slight edge in terms of stability and control.

2. Versatility: The Elan Ripstick 96's lightweight and agile design make it a more versatile ski, capable of handling a wider range of terrains and conditions.

3. Price: The Salomon Stance 96 comes in slightly cheaper than the Elan Ripstick 96, making it a better value for money.

4. Construction: The Salomon Stance 96's nuanced construction and the Elan Ripstick 96's unique asymmetrical shape both offer unique benefits, but the Salomon Stance 96's metal-reinforced construction gives it a slight edge in terms of durability and longevity.

Overall, while both skis are excellent choices for advanced skiers, the Salomon Stance 96 edges out the Elan Ripstick 96 in terms of performance, price, and construction.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Salomon Stance 96 Skis · 2023 and the Elan Ripstick 96 Skis · 2024 are excellent choices for advanced skiers looking for a versatile, high-performance ski. Both skis offer a unique blend of stability, control, and versatility that can handle a variety of terrains and conditions.

However, the Salomon Stance 96 edges out the Elan Ripstick 96 in terms of performance, price, and construction. Its metal-reinforced construction offers superior stability and control, and its nuanced construction and reasonable price point make it a great value for money.

On the other hand, the Elan Ripstick 96's lightweight and agile design make it a great choice for skiers who value maneuverability and quick turns. Its unique asymmetrical shape also offers a fun and unique feeling while carving.

In the end, the choice between the two will come down to personal preference and skiing style. But no matter which one you choose, you're sure to have a blast on the slopes!