By Sophia Reynolds
Elan Ripstick tour 104
Overview and purpose
The Ripstick Tour 104 is a versatile touring ski aimed at riders who want significant flotation and playful character without carrying excessive weight. It targets freeride touring: enough width for deep snow buoyancy, a tapered tip and tail for rebound and surf, and a construction that still delivers downhill stability when terrain roughens. The model is commonly sold flat so buyers can fit lightweight tech bindings and custom skins for an uphill-focused setup, making it attractive to backcountry skiers who prioritize a balance of ascent efficiency and downhill performance.
Construction, technology and specs explained
This ski features an Amphibio asymmetrical profile — rockered on the outside edge for easy turn initiation and cambered on the inside edge for grip and stability. Geometry around 128–129/104/122 mm gives strong flotation in soft snow; tip width helps the ski plane, waist width governs versatility across conditions, and tail width supports release and rebound. Turn radius (19–25.4 m depending on length) determines how the ski turns: shorter lengths feel nimbler, longer lengths track more steadily. The Tubelite woodcore with carbon bridge and fiberglass layers provides a lightweight, lively core with damping, while 360° ABS sidewalls add durability.
On-snow performance
On-snow the ski sings in powder: the tip lifts early and the tapered tail offers playful pop and surfability. The Amphibio shaping aids edge-to-edge transitions, letting you initiate turns without the ski bogging down. In variable or firmer snow the carbon bridge gives surprising stability and vibration control, but the ski isn’t as brutally precise at very high speeds as wider, heavier freeride boards. For most backcountry scenarios this ski delivers a confident and fun downhill feel while retaining the weight-conscious attributes needed for long tours.
Uphill and touring experience
Uphill performance benefits from the listed per-ski weights: 1400 g (166 cm), 1470 g (173 cm), 1540 g (180 cm), and 1610 g (187 cm), with a ±50 g tolerance noted by the manufacturer. These numbers make the ski competitive in the lightweight touring segment while still offering a robust downhill. Weight impacts how quickly and comfortably you move uphill and how tiring long days feel. The flat bases simplify mounting tech bindings and cut-to-fit skins, and the overall geometry assists climbing in soft snow by keeping the tips afloat.
Comparison and conclusion
Compared to similar freeride-touring skis such as some models from competing brands, the Ripstick Tour 104 strikes a good compromise between uphill efficiency and playful, stable downhill behavior. It is not the lightest option available, so pure uphill racers may prefer narrower, lighter alternatives. The modest discrepancy in tip width listings (128 vs 129 mm) is largely academic but worth checking per model year. Overall, the ski is recommended for backcountry riders who want surfable powder performance without sacrificing decent downhill stability or the option to spec a lightweight setup.
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