In the world of women's all-mountain skis, two models stand out: the Nordica Santa Ana 88 and the Elan Ripstick 88 W. Both skis are designed for intermediate to advanced skiers and offer a versatile, all-mountain experience. The Nordica Santa Ana 88 is praised for its maneuverability, fun factor, and agility, especially in the trees and bumps. The Elan Ripstick 88 W, on the other hand, is known for its precision, stability, and smooth transitions, thanks to its Amphibio Technology. Both skis are packed with tech features that enhance their performance on the mountain. However, they differ in their construction and performance in certain conditions. The final verdict? It depends on your skiing style and preferences. Read on for a detailed comparison.

Nordica Santa Ana 88 Skis · Women's · 2024 summary

The Nordica Santa Ana 88 skis are designed for intermediate and advanced skiers who want a versatile all-mountain experience. These skis are loved for their maneuverability, agility, and fun factor. They are particularly praised for their performance in the trees and bumps, where they turn on a dime and offer a playful ride.

The Santa Ana 88s have an 88 millimeter waist, which makes them nimble and easy to get up on edge. They also have a decent sidecut, which helps with carving through turns. The skis are slightly stiffer than the Santa Ana 93s, thanks to the added metal in their construction. This gives them more rebound coming out of turns and makes them stand up better to rougher conditions.

In terms of speed, the Santa Ana 88s thrive at a more mellow, moderate speed. They can handle a bit more speed than the 93s, but they are not the most stable or damp skis out there. However, they do offer a smooth and reliable ride, with a bit of pop and rebound.

While these skis are not primarily designed for park skiing, they can handle it if you want to give it a try. They are also not the top choice for powder skiing due to their narrower waist width, but they can handle a couple of fresh inches of snow.

Overall, the Nordica Santa Ana 88 skis are a versatile and fun choice for intermediate to advanced skiers who want to explore the whole mountain.

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. These skis stand out for their precision, stability, and smooth transitions, thanks to their Amphibio Technology. This innovative tech integrates rocker and camber profiles into right and left specific skis, resulting in a ski that performs well on groomers and offers versatility off-trail.

The Ripstick 88 W skis have a number of tech features that enhance their performance. The SST Sidewall, Tubelight Core, Carbon Rods, Fiberglass, and Vapor Tip reinforcements give these skis a hand-charging personality. They are agile and easy to ski, offering a smooth and forgiving ride.

These skis are also lightweight, making them easy to handle and maneuver. They offer solid edge hold, making them a great choice for groomed terrain. However, they can also handle off-piste conditions, thanks to their 88mm width.

Overall, the Elan Ripstick 88 W skis are a great choice for women skiers who want a versatile, all-mountain ski that offers precision, stability, and smooth transitions.

Similarities

Both the Nordica Santa Ana 88 and the Elan Ripstick 88 W skis are designed for intermediate to advanced women skiers who want a versatile all-mountain experience. They both have a waist width of 88mm, which strikes a balance between on-piste performance and off-piste versatility. Both skis are praised for their agility, stability, and smooth ride. They are also both packed with tech features that enhance their performance on the mountain.

Both skis are designed to handle a variety of conditions and terrains, from groomed trails to off-piste conditions. They both offer solid edge hold and are easy to get up on edge. They are also both praised for their maneuverability and responsiveness.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While the Nordica Santa Ana 88 and the Elan Ripstick 88 W skis share many similarities, they also have some key differences. The Santa Ana 88s are known for their fun factor and are particularly loved for their performance in the trees and bumps. They are slightly stiffer than the Santa Ana 93s, thanks to the added metal in their construction. This makes them a great choice for skiers who want a bit more rebound and stability in rougher conditions. They are also a good choice for skiers who prefer a more mellow, moderate speed.

On the other hand, the Elan Ripstick 88 W skis stand out for their precision, stability, and smooth transitions, thanks to their Amphibio Technology. They are also lightweight, making them easy to handle and maneuver. These skis are a great choice for skiers who want a versatile, all-mountain ski that offers precision and smooth transitions.

In terms of persona, the Nordica Santa Ana 88 skis are a great fit for intermediate to advanced skiers who want a versatile, fun, and agile ski. They are particularly suited to skiers who love skiing in the trees and bumps. The Elan Ripstick 88 W skis, on the other hand, are a great fit for skiers who want a versatile, all-mountain ski that offers precision, stability, and smooth transitions. They are particularly suited to skiers who prefer groomed terrain but also want the versatility to handle off-piste conditions.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When comparing the Nordica Santa Ana 88 and the Elan Ripstick 88 W skis, it's clear that both models excel in different areas.

1. Versatility: Both skis offer a versatile all-mountain experience, but the Nordica Santa Ana 88 skis are particularly loved for their performance in the trees and bumps, making them the winner in this category.

2. Stability: While both skis offer stability, the Elan Ripstick 88 W skis stand out for their precision, stability, and smooth transitions, thanks to their Amphibio Technology, making them the winner in this category.

3. Playfulness: The Nordica Santa Ana 88 skis are known for their fun factor and agility, making them the winner in this category.

4. Precision: The Elan Ripstick 88 W skis excel in precision, thanks to their Amphibio Technology, making them the winner in this category.

In conclusion, the winner depends on your skiing style and preferences. If you value versatility and playfulness, the Nordica Santa Ana 88 skis might be the better choice for you. If you value stability and precision, the Elan Ripstick 88 W skis might be the better choice for you.

Conclusions

In the end, both the Nordica Santa Ana 88 and the Elan Ripstick 88 W skis are excellent choices for intermediate to advanced women skiers who want a versatile all-mountain experience. They both offer a balance of on-piste performance and off-piste versatility, thanks to their 88mm waist width. They are both agile, stable, and offer a smooth ride.

However, they differ in their construction and performance in certain conditions. The Nordica Santa Ana 88 skis are loved for their fun factor and agility, especially in the trees and bumps. The Elan Ripstick 88 W skis, on the other hand, stand out for their precision, stability, and smooth transitions, thanks to their Amphibio Technology.

The final verdict? It depends on your skiing style and preferences. If you value versatility and playfulness, the Nordica Santa Ana 88 skis might be the better choice for you. If you value stability and precision, the Elan Ripstick 88 W skis might be the better choice for you. Either way, you're sure to have a blast on the mountain!