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Expert Comparison: Salomon Stance 84 Skis · 2024 vs Elan Ripstick 88 Skis · 2024

Published on 02/13/2024 · 5 min readCompare Salomon Stance 84 Skis · 2024 and Elan Ripstick 88 Skis · 2024. Get expert insight below!
Phil Chandler, Ski Expert
Fiona Orel, Ski Expert
Peter Locke, Ski Expert
Contributed By Ski Expert Phil Chandler, Fiona Orel, Peter Locke, Scott Odabashian, Chris D. and others

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Side by side comparison

Most recommended
Salomon Stance 84 Skis · 2024
Out of stock
Elan Ripstick 88 Skis · 2024
Price
$299.97
40% off
from:$419.99
40% off
User rating
5(2)
5(1)
The Curated Take

Best for skiers who enjoy playful, agile, and reliable carving on all-mountain terrain.

Best for skiers seeking a versatile, agile ski that performs well in all conditions, with a balance of stiffness to weight.

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

In the world of all-mountain skis, the Salomon Stance 84 and Elan Ripstick 88 are two top contenders for 2024. Both skis are designed for versatility and agility, but they each have their unique strengths. The Salomon Stance 84 is a playful ski with a forgiving flex profile, making it a great choice for skiers who love carving and tackling tricky terrain like moguls and trees. On the other hand, the Elan Ripstick 88 is a lightweight and agile ski that excels in edge hold and downhill stability, making it a fantastic choice for skiers who want a smooth ride in various conditions. While both skis are excellent choices, the Salomon Stance 84 is more approachable for a wider range of skiers, while the Elan Ripstick 88 is more suited for skiers who demand high performance in every condition.

The Salomon Stance 84 Skis are designed for skiers who crave a playful and fun all-mountain experience. These skis are all about carving, with a forgiving flex profile that makes them suitable for tricky terrain like moguls and trees. The Stance 84 uses less titanal than its wider counterparts, resulting in a more approachable and forgiving flex profile. This means that whether you're carving on groomed slopes or tackling icy steeps, these skis offer agility, reliability, and a smooth ride. The progressive sidecut and lively wood core provide agility and reliability, while the new Titanal and carbon construction offer excellent grip on the snow for a smooth and enjoyable ride. The Stance 84 is a great fit for skiers who want a playful feel that can be disengaged instantly, making it a versatile choice for all-mountain skiing.

A bit more aggressive flex, this ski is really stable in chattery conditions, but still quick from edge to edge in tight terrain. A bit of tip rocker makes it forgiving in variable snow and helps in off-piste adventures, but at 84mm underfoot, it's got instant bite on firm snow and secure edge grip in icier conditions.

Phil Chandler
Ski Expert

The Elan Ripstick 88 Skis are a versatile and agile ski that performs well in all conditions. These skis offer a smooth and forgiving ride, making them suitable for both on-piste and off-piste skiing. The innovative TNT Technology provides a lively and snappy feel, while the SST sidewalls and TubeLite Woodcore ensure direct power transmission. The Elan Ripstick 88 Skis are optimized with Elan's unique Amphibio profile, making them agile, smooth, and easy to ski. The carbon rods over the edges increase edge hold, and the patented Amphibio design packs more material into the inside edge of each ski. This results in a lightweight and agile ski that doesn't sacrifice downhill stability. The Elan Ripstick 88 is a phenomenal carving ski that has the liveliness and playfulness to get off-piste as well.

The Elan Ripstick 88 was built to be the bridge between dedicated frontside groomer skis and more all-mountain freeride skis like the Ripstick 96. It sports everything that makes the 96 version great - carbon rods over the edges for increased edge hold, the patented Amphibio design that packs more material into the inside edge of each ski, a carbon and wood construction that keeps the ski lightweight and agile without sacrificing downhill stability - and wraps it into a more narrow package. The result is a phenomenal carving ski that has the liveliness and playfulness to get off-piste as well!

Fiona Orel
Ski Expert

Similarities

Both the Salomon Stance 84 and the Elan Ripstick 88 are all-mountain skis designed for versatility and agility. They both offer a smooth and forgiving ride, making them suitable for a variety of conditions and terrains. Both skis are designed with a focus on carving, and they both have unique features that enhance their performance on the slopes. The Salomon Stance 84 and the Elan Ripstick 88 both use innovative technology and construction to provide a lively and snappy feel, ensuring a fun and enjoyable skiing experience.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both skis are versatile and agile, they cater to slightly different personas. The Salomon Stance 84 is more approachable and forgiving, making it a great choice for skiers who are still honing their skills or prefer a more playful and fun skiing experience. It's particularly good for skiers who love carving and tackling tricky terrain like moguls and trees.

On the other hand, the Elan Ripstick 88 is more performance-oriented. It's lightweight and agile without sacrificing downhill stability, making it a fantastic choice for skiers who demand high performance in every condition. The Elan Ripstick 88 is particularly good for skiers who want a smooth ride in various conditions and value increased edge hold and downhill stability.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to playfulness and approachability, the Salomon Stance 84 takes the lead. Its forgiving flex profile and focus on carving make it a fun and easy-to-use ski for a wide range of skiers.

In terms of performance and versatility, the Elan Ripstick 88 comes out on top. Its unique construction and innovative technology provide a smooth and forgiving ride in all conditions, making it a high-performing ski for demanding skiers.

For edge hold and downhill stability, the Elan Ripstick 88 is the clear winner. Its carbon rods and patented Amphibio design provide increased edge hold and downhill stability, making it a reliable ski in various conditions.

Finally, for carving and tackling tricky terrain, the Salomon Stance 84 shines. Its focus on carving and ability to handle tricky terrain like moguls and trees make it a great choice for skiers who love to carve.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Salomon Stance 84 and the Elan Ripstick 88 are excellent all-mountain skis that cater to different types of skiers. The Salomon Stance 84 is a playful and approachable ski that's great for carving and tackling tricky terrain, making it a fantastic choice for skiers who want a fun and forgiving skiing experience. On the other hand, the Elan Ripstick 88 is a high-performing ski that offers a smooth ride in various conditions, making it a top choice for skiers who demand versatility, agility, and performance. So, whether you're a playful carver or a demanding all-mountain skier, there's a ski for you in the 2024 lineup. Happy skiing!

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