Elan’s amphibio technology, which designates a left and right ski, was first developed by the brand for a women’s-specific model. The idea was to make asymmetrical rocker profiles, meaning more camber on the inside edge and more rocker on the outside edge, making turn initiations and transitions easier as you harness the power of the inside edge.
When Elan realized that their amphibio design benefits every skier, regardless of gender, the brand created the Ripstick series in 2015, and it has been gracing the pages of our Buyer’s Guide ever since. But like any fierce competitor, Elan is not satisfied with just resting on its laurels. For the 2024-25 season, the brand redesigned the Ripstick series, including the Black Edition skis, to have a slightly narrower tip for more stability and performance in variable conditions and a wider tail to boost the power and strength of the ski at the end of the turn. In the Black Edition, specifically, a carbon reinforcement is added to the ski to increase its stability at higher speeds without adding significant weight. This means it’s geared more toward expert female skiers who are champing at the bit, from bell to bell.
“The 94 loves to be ripped down a fresh groomer but also perform in the bumps, crud and trees,” states one of our veteran testers. “It continues to provide a smooth, sexy turn for the skier who likes a lightweight yet powerful ski under their feet. The new design and construction method continues to evolve the Ripstick into one of the best hard pack skis.” A lightweight heavy-hitter, the 2025 Ripstick 94 W Black Edition is designed for any-and-all hard-charging females who appreciate slicing and dicing every last inch of the resort.