After years of high praise in our Buyer’s Guide, the Ripstick 96 Black Edition is back, and to the surprise of no one, it remains an absolute favorite. Elan has stuffed this bad boy with four carbon rods running through the forebody and tail. These aren’t your grandma’s knitting needles, folks. These rods are the powerhouse of the ski, delivering energetic rebound, stiffness, stability and dampness that’ll make you question everything you thought you knew about physics. Tipping the scales at a mere 1,640 grams (at 182 cm), it has all the power of a locomotive, at a weight comparable to a feather.
While testing in the legendary terrain of Vail, Colorado, we put the Ripstick 96 Black Edition on nearly every pitch imaginable, in a wide variety of conditions. After such an in-depth test, we can confidently say that whether you find yourself on leftover crud or firm hardpack, this ski will show up for you and effortlessly dig a trench. In other words, it’s a true frontside weapon in all the right ways.
“Silky smooth at speed over variable terrain and conditions. It feels like a trusty neighbor that won’t let you down when sh*t hits the fan,” exclaimed our tester. We couldn’t have said it any better ourselves. This year, Elan tweaked the shape of the Ripstick 96 Black Edition to deliver a bit more versatility and power. It’s optimal for tight turns at high speeds on any steep groomer of your choosing. Elan has been making trusted skis for nearly a century, and the Ripstick 96 Black Edition is the latest in a long line of innovations.