In the world of women's all-mountain skis, two models stand out: the Rossignol Rallybird 90 Pro Skis + Xpress W 10 GW Bindings and the Elan Ripstick 88 W Skis. Both are designed for intermediate to advanced skiers and offer a versatile, playful ride. The Rossignol Rallybird 90 Pro, with its tip and tail rocker, is a great option for the advancing intermediate skier. It's light, agile, and performs well in a variety of conditions. The Elan Ripstick 88 W, on the other hand, is a true all-mountain ski with a focus on groomed terrain. It's agile, easy to ski, and packed with tech features for versatility and playfulness. Both skis are great options, but the choice ultimately depends on your skiing style and preferences.

Rossignol Rallybird 90 Pro Skis + Xpress W 10 GW Bindings · Women's · 2024 summary

The Rossignol Rallybird 90 Pro Skis + Xpress W 10 GW Bindings are an all-mountain, intermediate to advanced ski with tip and tail rocker. They are marketed towards the advancing intermediate skier and are a great option for someone looking to progress from their first pair of skis or rentals. Despite being a lighter build, these skis hold their own when cruising down the mountain. They perform well in trees and bumps and their 90 waist width allows for intuitive edge to edge transitions.

The Rallybirds have a good amount of rocker in their tips, which allows for quick turn initiation. They also have rocker in their tails, making them suitable for freestyle skiing. Underfoot, they pack a good amount of camber which adds to the springiness of the already light wood core. These skis are soft, making them easy to rail into, but they can also hold up for someone who's powering into their ski.

In terms of carving, this ski turns on a dime. It's quick to get around, making it ideal for mogul fields. The edge hold is pretty good for a softer snow type of skiing day, but they might not be the first choice for hard pack icy days. Despite being made of a wood core, these skis are more lively than shock absorbing. They can handle speed better than expected, but they are not the best tool for going really fast.

For freestyle skiing, these skis are super playful, poppy, energetic, and lively. They are great for hitting little jumps off the sides of the trails and are suitable for park skiing. In terms of freeriding, they are not the ideal powder ski, but they can handle softer snow and are a great introductory ski for someone looking to get off the groomed trails.

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 perfect for groomed terrain and can handle off-piste conditions as well. The 88mm width strikes a balance between on-piste performance and off-piste versatility. These skis provide a smooth and confident ride in any conditions or terrain.

The Elan Ripstick 88 W Skis are packed with tech features that give this ski the versatility, playfulness, response & rebound, solid edge hold, and stability at high speeds. The SST Sidewall, Tubelight Core, Carbon Rods, Fiberglass & Vapor Tip reinforcements give this ski its hand-charging personality. What really stands out 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.

These skis are agile and easy to ski. They shine on groomers but still allow access to off-piste conditions anywhere you take them. They are a fantastic option for skinning/touring as well as this ski comes in at a very low weight.

Similarities

Both the Rossignol Rallybird 90 Pro Skis + Xpress W 10 GW Bindings and the Elan Ripstick 88 W Skis are designed for intermediate to advanced women skiers who are looking for a versatile all-mountain ski. They both offer a playful ride and are agile and easy to ski. Both skis are packed with tech features that give them versatility, playfulness, response & rebound, solid edge hold, and stability at high speeds. They both perform well in soft snow and off trail, while still getting edge to edge quick, and being plenty capable of linking tight turns on the hard pack.

Differences and Who They're Good For

The Rossignol Rallybird 90 Pro Skis + Xpress W 10 GW Bindings are a great option for the advancing intermediate skier. They are light, agile, and perform well in a variety of conditions. They are also a great option for someone who is moving out of like a 78 underfoot ski and wants to move away from the carving ski but still maintain edge to edge quickness. They are not the ideal powder ski, but they can handle softer snow and are a great introductory ski for someone looking to get off the groomed trails.

On the other hand, the Elan Ripstick 88 W Skis are perfect for groomed terrain and can handle off-piste conditions as well. They are a fantastic option for skinning/touring as well as this ski comes in at a very low weight. They are a great choice for dark blue groomers, bumps, and not too deep powder.

In terms of persona, the Rossignol Rallybird 90 Pro Skis + Xpress W 10 GW Bindings are perfect for the advancing intermediate skier who is looking to progress from their first pair of skis or rentals. The Elan Ripstick 88 W Skis, on the other hand, are ideal for the intermediate to advanced skier who wants a versatile all-mountain ski that can handle groomed terrain and off-piste conditions.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to versatility, both skis perform well. However, the Elan Ripstick 88 W Skis have a slight edge due to their ability to handle groomed terrain and off-piste conditions with ease.

In terms of playfulness and response, the Rossignol Rallybird 90 Pro Skis + Xpress W 10 GW Bindings take the lead. Their tip and tail rocker make them a joy to ski on, and they are agile and easy to maneuver.

For edge hold and stability at high speeds, the Elan Ripstick 88 W Skis come out on top. Their SST Sidewall, Tubelight Core, Carbon Rods, Fiberglass & Vapor Tip reinforcements give this ski its hand-charging personality.

Finally, when it comes to value for money, the Rossignol Rallybird 90 Pro Skis + Xpress W 10 GW Bindings are the clear winner. They are a great option for the advancing intermediate skier and come with bindings included, making them a great deal.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Rossignol Rallybird 90 Pro Skis + Xpress W 10 GW Bindings and the Elan Ripstick 88 W Skis are excellent choices for intermediate to advanced women skiers. They both offer a versatile, playful ride and are packed with tech features that enhance their performance. The choice between the two ultimately comes down to your personal skiing style and preferences. If you're an advancing intermediate skier looking for a light, agile ski that performs well in a variety of conditions, the Rossignol Rallybird 90 Pro Skis + Xpress W 10 GW Bindings are a great option. If you prefer groomed terrain and want a ski that can handle off-piste conditions as well, the Elan Ripstick 88 W Skis are the way to go. Either way, you're sure to have a blast on the slopes!