By Sophia Reynolds
Elan Ripstick 88 80 years
Overview
The Ripstick 88 – 80 Years is an anniversary take on a well‑known all‑mountain design: lightweight, lively, and aimed at skiers who want confident resort performance with some off‑piste forgiveness. The limited length set (161 and 182 cm) signals a focused package; the ski feels immediately nimble and responsive to pressure, offering quick turn initiation and playful handling. The special graphics add appeal for collectors but the ski’s core personality remains the same: easy and engaging at moderate speeds, with surprising composure when you pick up the pace.
Construction & Technology
Under the top sheet the ski uses a TubeLite woodcore combined with carbon reinforcements and flax fibres, which yields a balanced mix of low weight, pop and vibration control. Carbon Deck Technology (carbon rods and UD carbon bands) supplies quick rebound and edge response without excessive mass. Flax provides damping and reduces chatter on rough snow, while the sintered base promotes good glide. Together with the Amphibio asymmetric profile this construction delivers a ski that is both lively and forgiving, well suited to mixed‑condition resort days.
On‑snow Performance
On snow the Ripstick 88 stands out for its edge‑to‑edge speed and agility: it excels at quick short turns and is very playful at lower speeds. The Amphibio inside‑edge camber gives strong grip under load, which inspires confidence on hardpack and faster lines. At higher speed the carbon reinforcements keep the ski composed, though it won’t match the absolute high‑speed damping of heavier, more piste‑oriented race skis. In variable snow the tip rocker and slightly wider tip/tail help with float and turn initiation without compromising piste performance.
Specs Explained
The specs explain how this behaviour is engineered: tip/waist/tail widths (for example 125–88–104 mm on 161 cm) influence turn radius and flotation — a narrower waist favors quick edge transitions and piste performance, while wider tips/tails improve float. The stated radius (14.8 m at 161 cm, 16.8 m at 182 cm) indicates the natural turn size: shorter skis are more willing to make tighter turns; longer skis track straighter. Weight (about 1410 g per ski at 161 cm) affects manoeuvrability and fatigue — lighter skis are easier to flick but carry less inertia at speed. Amphibio combines camber for edge hold and rocker for easy turn initiation.
Comparison & Verdict
Who should buy this ski and how does it compare? The Ripstick 88 – 80 Years is best for intermediate‑advanced recreational skiers wanting a nimble, versatile resort ski that’s light enough for occasional skinning and playful freeride moves. Against similar 88–92 mm all‑mountain skis it offers quicker edge‑to‑edge transitions and a livelier feel due to carbon. If your days are dominated by very fast, hardpack carving you might prefer a heavier, more damped piste racer, but for most skiers this Ripstick delivers a great balance of fun, performance and portability.
Loading images...
Community Opinions
Missing a hand while carrying ski gear?
A friend of mine created Clipstic, the easy way to attach your poles to your skis! Using this link you get 10% off as well as support for Pick-a-ski!
Check it out!