By Noah Carter
Elan Ripstick 96 black edition
Overview and purpose
The Ripstick 96 Black Edition is a versatile all‑mountain ski built to be a one‑pair solution for varied resort conditions and light off‑piste. The listed geometry of 133/96/114 mm translates to a wider tip for float, a 96 mm waist for adaptable turn shapes, and a narrower tail for controlled exit. The Amphibio asymmetrical profile places camber under the inside edge for grip and rocker on the outside edge for easier turn initiation and float in softer snow, giving a distinct yet useful edge behavior.
Construction and materials
Construction mixes a TubeLite woodcore with QuadRod carbon reinforcement (four carbon rods), C‑Ply/carbon deck elements, and a 3D trapezoid flax insert for vibration damping. Slanted sidewall (SST) construction provides direct power transfer and a sintered high‑speed base improves long‑run glide. The result is a relatively light ski with lively rebound and torsional stiffness from the carbon elements, while flax and other dampers smooth chatter at speed, offering a refined feel for a lightweight performance ski.
On‑snow behavior
On snow the ski feels lively, quick to initiate and confident on hardpack thanks to the cambered inside edge in the Amphibio design. The rockered outside edge helps you start turns and keeps the ski afloat in softer patches. Per‑size specs matter: for example, a 175 cm has a 16.8 m turn radius, 95 mm waist and weighs about 1570 g per ski, which delivers a nice compromise between stable long turns and nimble short turns. Overall it behaves predictably across mixed conditions.
Who it suits and comparisons
This model suits skiers who want a single resort ski that handles groomers, mixed snow and some sidecountry excursions. Compared with other 95–97 mm all‑mountain skis it leans lighter and snappier thanks to its carbon reinforcements and TubeLite core, while offering more damping than ultra‑light freeride sticks. If you compare it to more piste‑oriented or heavier all‑mountain skis, the Ripstick is more playful and easier to flick but may lack ultimate high‑speed steadiness of heavier models.
Drawbacks and final verdict
There are trade‑offs to consider. In deep, heavy powder the 96 mm waist and lighter construction will limit flotation versus wider skis, and highly aggressive high‑speed charging can reveal less mass for absolute stability. The Amphibio asymmetry also requires a small adjustment period for riders new to asymmetric shaping. Overall, this Black Edition is a refined, versatile 96 mm all‑mountain option that rewards skiers seeking a lively, capable single‑ski quiver.
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