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Expert Comparison: Elan Ripstick 88 W Skis · Women's · 2024 vs Black Crows Captis Birdie Skis · Women's · 2024

Published on 02/14/2024 · 6 min readCompare Elan Ripstick 88 W Skis · Women's · 2024 and Black Crows Captis Birdie Skis · Women's · 2024. Get expert insight below!
Chris D., Ski Expert
Jessica Whittam, Ski Expert
Charlie Walker, Ski Expert
Contributed By Ski Expert Chris D., Jessica Whittam, Charlie Walker, Sara Beeken, Sammy S. and others

VS

 

Side by side comparison

Out of stock
Elan Ripstick 88 W Skis · Women's · 2024
Out of stock
Black Crows Captis Birdie Skis · Women's · 2024
Price
$389.99
40% off
$454.97
30% off
The Curated Take

Best for intermediate and advanced women skiers seeking a versatile all-mountain ski with precision, stability, and smooth transitions.

Best for all mountain skiers who ski in various conditions due to its versatility.

Ski type
All Mountain, Freeride
Freestyle
Skill level
Intermediate, Advanced
Intermediate, Advanced
Rocker profile
Rocker/Camber/Rocker
Rocker/Camber/Rocker
Tail profile
Flat
Partial twin tip

In the world of women's skis, the Elan Ripstick 88 W Skis and the Black Crows Captis Birdie Skis are two standout options for the 2024 season. Both skis are designed for intermediate to advanced skiers and offer a versatile all-mountain experience. The Elan Ripstick 88 W Skis are praised for their lightness, stability, and innovative Amphibio Technology, which integrates rocker and camber profiles into right and left specific skis. On the other hand, the Black Crows Captis Birdie Skis are known for their versatility, playful rocker profile, and ability to handle a variety of conditions. While both skis have their strengths, the Elan Ripstick 88 W Skis are more suited for groomed terrain, while the Black Crows Captis Birdie Skis are a better choice for those looking for a one-ski quiver.

The Elan Ripstick 88 W Skis are a force to be reckoned with on the mountain. These skis are designed for intermediate and advanced skiers who are looking for a versatile all-mountain ski. The skis are packed with tech features that give them versatility, playfulness, response, rebound, solid edge hold, and stability at high speeds. The SST Sidewall, Tubelight Core, Carbon Rods, Fiberglass, and Vapor Tip reinforcements give this ski its hand-charging personality.

What really stands out about the Elan Ripstick 88 W Skis 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. The 88mm width strikes a balance between on-piste performance and off-piste versatility, making these skis a great choice for those who want to conquer the entire mountain.

The Elan Ripstick 88 W Skis are also lightweight, making them easy to handle and maneuver. Despite their lightness, they are incredibly stable and offer great edge hold in any snow condition. Whether you're carving it up on hard pack and icy groomers or floating around in some fresh snow, these skis are sure to deliver a smooth and confident ride.

The Elan Ripstick 88 skis are designed and skied by women in search of a true all mountain ski. Intermediate and advanced skiers will feel the versatility of this ski and gain the confidence to conquer the entire mountain. Elan has packed in a number of tech features that give this ski the versatility, playfulness, response & rebound, solid edge hold, stable at speeds and multiple turning styles. The SST Sidewall, Tubelight Core, Carbon Rods, Fiberglass & Vapor Tip reinforcements give this ski its hand-charging personality, but 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.

Chris D.
Ski Expert

The Black Crows Captis Birdie Skis are a versatile option for skiers looking for a one-ski quiver. These skis perform well in a variety of conditions, from powder to groomers, and can handle both short turns and longer, faster arcs. The playful rocker profile is balanced by stiffness and camber underfoot, providing stability and edge hold.

With a progressive flex and a long effective edge, these skis offer maneuverability and grip at high speeds. Whether you're carving or freestyling, the Captis Birdie Skis are a pleasure to ski on all winter long. The skis are 90mm underfoot, making them a great choice for those who want a balance between on-piste performance and off-piste versatility.

The Black Crows Captis Birdie Skis are also twin-tip skis, which makes them versatile and easy to turn. They are lightweight and easy to maneuver, making them a great choice for beginner-intermediate skiers who are looking to get used to a freestyle rockered ski.

The Black Crows Captis Birdie Skis are a versatile option for skiers looking for a one-ski quiver. They perform well in a variety of conditions, from powder to groomers, and can handle both short turns and longer, faster arcs. The playful rocker profile is balanced by stiffness and camber underfoot, providing stability and edge hold. With a progressive flex and a long effective edge, these skis offer maneuverability and grip at high speeds. Whether you're carving or freestyling, the Captis Birdie Skis are a pleasure to ski on all winter long.

Jessica Whittam
Ski Expert

Similarities

Both the Elan Ripstick 88 W Skis and the Black Crows Captis Birdie Skis are designed for intermediate to advanced skiers and offer a versatile all-mountain experience. They both have a width of 88mm underfoot, which strikes a balance between on-piste performance and off-piste versatility.

Both skis are praised for their stability, edge hold, and ability to handle a variety of conditions. They are also both lightweight and easy to maneuver, making them a great choice for skiers who want a ski that is easy to handle and responsive.

In terms of tech features, both skis are packed with innovative technologies that enhance their performance on the mountain. The Elan Ripstick 88 W Skis feature Amphibio Technology, while the Black Crows Captis Birdie Skis have a playful rocker profile balanced by stiffness and camber underfoot.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both skis are designed for all-mountain skiing, they each have their unique strengths that make them more suited for certain types of skiers and conditions. The Elan Ripstick 88 W Skis are more focused on groomed terrain, making them a great choice for skiers who love carving it up on hard pack and icy groomers. They are also praised for their innovative Amphibio Technology, which 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.

On the other hand, the Black Crows Captis Birdie Skis are a better choice for those looking for a one-ski quiver. They are versatile and can handle a variety of conditions, from powder to groomers. They are also twin-tip skis, which makes them versatile and easy to turn. This makes them a great choice for beginner-intermediate skiers who are looking to get used to a freestyle rockered ski.

In terms of persona, the Elan Ripstick 88 W Skis are perfect for the adventurous skier who loves to conquer the entire mountain, with an emphasis on groomed terrain. The Black Crows Captis Birdie Skis, on the other hand, are ideal for the skier who wants a versatile ski that can handle a variety of conditions and is easy to turn and maneuver.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When comparing the Elan Ripstick 88 W Skis and the Black Crows Captis Birdie Skis, it's clear that both skis excel in different areas.

  1. Versatility: The Black Crows Captis Birdie Skis take the win in this category. They are a one-ski quiver that can handle a variety of conditions, from powder to groomers.

  2. Performance on Groomed Terrain: The Elan Ripstick 88 W Skis shine on groomed terrain, thanks to their innovative Amphibio Technology and solid edge hold.

  3. Ease of Use: Both skis are lightweight and easy to maneuver, but the Black Crows Captis Birdie Skis, with their twin-tip design, are particularly easy to turn, making them a great choice for beginner-intermediate skiers.

  4. Tech Features: The Elan Ripstick 88 W Skis stand out with their innovative Amphibio Technology, which 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.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Elan Ripstick 88 W Skis and the Black Crows Captis Birdie Skis are excellent choices for intermediate to advanced skiers looking for a versatile all-mountain ski. The Elan Ripstick 88 W Skis are a great choice for those who love to carve it up on groomed terrain, while the Black Crows Captis Birdie Skis are a versatile one-ski quiver that can handle a variety of conditions.

While both skis have their strengths, the choice between the two ultimately comes down to personal preference and the type of skiing you plan to do. If you're a skier who loves to conquer the entire mountain with an emphasis on groomed terrain, the Elan Ripstick 88 W Skis are the way to go. If you're looking for a versatile ski that can handle a variety of conditions and is easy to turn and maneuver, the Black Crows Captis Birdie Skis are a great choice.

No matter which ski you choose, you're sure to have a blast on the mountain. Happy skiing!

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