Ripstick 84 w review

Overview

The Ripstick 84 W is the women's version of Elan's new-for-26/27 Ripstick 84, the narrowest ski in the Ripstick family. It covers the shorter lengths — 147, 154, 161 and 168 cm — and in the three lengths it shares with the men's Ripstick 84 the published dimensions, radii and weights are the same, so there is no softened women's compromise. The shape scales with length, from 122-80-101 mm at 147 cm to 125-83-105 mm at 168 cm, with radii from 11.4 to 14.4 m; the "84" label is nominal and the real waist in these lengths is 80–83 mm. The build is Elan's CarbonDeck Technology (Tubelite Woodcore, Carbon Rods, UD carbon) with the asymmetric Amphibio profile, no metal, sold flat at €499.95.

On-snow performance

Everything in the shape points to quick, easy carving on groomers with a safety margin in soft snow. The radii are short — 13.4 m at 161 cm — and the Amphibio design puts camber on the inside edge for grip and rocker on the outside edge for easy turn entry, so the construction suggests a ski that rolls into a turn with little effort and comes around fast. Weights of 1,270 to 1,650 g per ski (Elan, ±50 g) and the absence of titanal mean it should feel light and energetic rather than damp and planted; on hard, rutted pistes at speed a women's 84 with metal will be calmer. With tip and tail rocker and an 80–83 mm waist it copes with cut-up snow at the piste edge and spring slush, but deep snow belongs to the Ripstick 88 W and 94 W.

Construction & specs explained

• Core: Dual Woodcore with Tubelite construction — laminated wood with two ultra-light carbon tubes running the length of the ski, for torsional stiffness and rebound with less material.
• CarbonDeck Technology: the core combined with Carbon Rods and unidirectional (UD) carbon edge bands for rebound, torsional rigidity and edge control.
• Flax Fibre: a layer of natural flax in the tip to neutralise vibration.
• Sidewall: SST (Slanted Sidewall Technology) for direct power transmission.
• Profile: Amphibio Technology (dedicated left and right skis, cambered inside edge, rockered outside edge) with an Early Rise Rocker tip.
• Base: sintered High Speed Gliding base.
• No metal layers; flat ski, binding not included.
• Dimensions and radius: 122-80-101 / 11.4 m (147), 123-81-102 / 12.4 m (154), 124-82-104 / 13.4 m (161), 125-83-105 / 14.4 m (168).
• Weight (Elan, ±50 g per ski): 1,270 g (147), 1,400 g (154), 1,600 g (161), 1,650 g (168).

Who it's for & comparisons

Elan designed the Ripstick 84 W for advanced women skiers who value low weight, confident turn initiation and a refined ride, and who ski mostly on groomers with occasional trips off the side. Progressing intermediates will find it approachable too, because there is no metal to overpower. In Elan's own line, the Elan Ripstick 88 w adds width and float for a more even piste/off-piste split, and the Elan Wildcat 83 ti is the piste-focused alternative with titanal and a system binding. From other brands, the Nordica Santa ana 84 and the Blizzard Black Pearl 84 both bring metal for a damper feel, while the Volkl Blaze 86 w is the closest in character: light, metal-free and easy to turn.

Pros, cons and verdict

Pros

• Light build: 1,270–1,650 g per ski with CarbonDeck carbon construction and no metal.
• Short 11.4–14.4 m radii and the Amphibio profile for quick, effortless turn initiation.
• All-mountain shape with tip and tail rocker for soft-snow forgiveness.
• Sold flat, so the binding is your choice.
• Same dimensions and weights as the men's Ripstick 84 in the shared lengths.

Cons

• Four lengths only, topping out at 168 cm — taller or heavier women may want the men's 84.
• No titanal, so less damp than metal 84s on hard, choppy pistes at speed.
• The Ripstick 88 W costs the same and adds float; the 84 W only wins if you mostly ski groomers.
• Binding not included.

Verdict: The Ripstick 84 W is a light, quick carbon all-mountain ski for advanced women who want effortless turns on groomers with enough forgiveness for the piste edge. If off-piste is a regular part of your day, the Ripstick 88 W is the better buy.