Elan Ripstick 96 Review: Specs, Sizing and Verdict
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The quick verdict: The lively, lightweight counterargument to metal skis: carbon rods instead of titanal, energy instead of mass, and legs that still work at 3 pm. ~$800 list, 2025/26 version typically ~$600 on sale
Overview
Elan builds the Ripstick around a TubeLite wood core: hollow carbon tubes and carbon rods stiffen the ski where titanal normally would, saving hundreds of grams. The asymmetric Amphibio profile puts more camber on the inside edge and more rocker on the outside, so each ski has a dedicated left and right. On snow that translates to easy turn initiation, strong rebound out of the turn, and a swing weight that makes bumps and trees feel half as steep. Flax fiber in the tips takes the sting out of chatter.
Where It Shines
- Effortless in moguls, trees, and tight terrain
- Poppy, energetic turn exit that makes easy days fun
- All-day stamina: light enough that the last run feels like the first
Tradeoffs to Know
- Gives up high-speed damping to the M7 Mantra in heavy chop
- Light build can feel nervous on boilerplate ice
- Dedicated left and right skis take a day to get used to
Who It’s For
Skiers who prize quickness and energy over raw speed: mogul lovers, tree skiers, lighter skiers overpowered by metal builds, and anyone whose legs are tired of heavy dailies.
Key Specs by Size
Figures are approximate and drawn from Elan’s published spec table (via elansports.com) and retailer listings at The Ski Monster and Next Adventure. Elan builds it in five lengths, and the sidecut scales with length: the 161 is really a 93 mm ski and the 189 a 97.
| Length | Tip / waist / tail | Radius | Weight per ski |
|---|---|---|---|
| 161 cm | 128-93-108 mm | 14.8 m | ~1435 g (3.2 lb) |
| 168 cm | 129-94-109 mm | 15.8 m | ~1500 g (3.3 lb) |
| 175 cm | 131-95-112 mm | 16.8 m | ~1570 g (3.5 lb) |
| 182 cm | 133-96-114 mm | 17.8 m | ~1640 g (3.6 lb) |
| 189 cm | 134-97-115 mm | 18.8 m | ~1715 g (3.8 lb) |
Across all lengths: Amphibio asymmetric rocker-camber-rocker profile with dedicated left and right skis, TubeLite poplar and paulownia wood core with two hollow carbon tubes, full-length carbon rods, unidirectional carbon bands along both edges, a flax fiber layer in the tip for vibration control, slanted sidewalls and a sintered base. Elan quotes its weights to plus or minus 50 g and backs the ski with a two-year warranty. List price is about $800 for the 2026/27 ski; the graphics-only 2025/26 version is widely discounted to roughly $600, and the Ripstick 96 Black Edition, which adds extra carbon layers for a stiffer, damper ride, costs about $150 more.
Sizing and Fit
Start at chin to nose height and nudge from there. A 5’6” to 5’9” intermediate lands on the 168; a 5’9” to 6’ skier takes the 175; 6’ and up, or anyone over about 190 lb, should look hard at the 182 or 189. The ski runs true to size by most accounts, but the Ripstick is light and the tip rocker is long, so it skis shorter than a cambered metal ski of the same length. Aggregated reviews repeatedly note that heavier, harder-driving skiers on the 182 wished they had gone up a size, while lighter and less aggressive skiers were happy where they were. If you’re between lengths and you ski fast, size up; if bumps and trees are the point, size down.
The Amphibio profile means the skis are not interchangeable. The inside edge of each ski carries more camber and the outside edge more rocker, so there is a marked left and a marked right. Keep them on the correct feet, and make sure your shop mounts the bindings accordingly. A 100 mm brake is the right match for the 96 mm waist; a 90 mm brake will drag and a 115 mm one will hang. Elan’s own suggested binding is the Tyrolia Attack 14, though any GripWalk-compatible alpine binding with a 100 mm brake works, and the flat top sheet takes a standard flat mount with no plate. A 100 to 120 flex boot is the natural partner; a 130 race boot tends to overpower a ski this light.
Who Should Skip It
Skip the Ripstick 96 if you weigh north of 200 lb and ski fast through afternoon chop; the carbon build chatters where titanal would stay quiet, and the Völkl M7 Mantra is the better tool at that speed. Skip it if you live on East Coast boilerplate and want the hardest edge grip you can buy, since the lighter construction gives up some bite to the Head Kore 94 Ti, which adds a titanal layer to a similar lightweight recipe. And skip it if $800 is more than you want to spend on a daily driver; the Atomic Maverick 95 Ti is a metal ski on closeout for about $450 to 600 that does the groomer part of the job just as well.
Ripstick 96 vs. Blizzard Rustler 9 vs. K2 Mindbender 90C
All three favor playfulness over brute stability, so the choice comes down to feel and budget. The Blizzard Rustler 9, at about $800, runs a partial titanal layer that tapers toward the tips, so it is heavier and calmer than the Ripstick in chop but less eager to snap out of a turn. The K2 Mindbender 90C is the budget option at roughly $550, a 90 mm waist with carbon stringers rather than metal: softer, lighter and the most forgiving of the three, but the first to run out of steam at speed. The Ripstick 96 at about $800 sits between them on weight and is the liveliest of the trio, with the highest rebound and the widest platform for soft snow. Pick the Rustler 9 if you want a little metal for damping and plan to spend as much time on firm groomers as off them. Pick the Mindbender 90C if you’re a progressing intermediate who wants the gentlest ride and the lowest price. Pick the Ripstick 96 if bumps, trees and all-day energy matter more than top-end stability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Elan Ripstick 96 good for beginners?
Not for a first week, but it is one of the friendliest 96 mm skis for a strong beginner moving into intermediate terrain. The Amphibio rocker makes turn initiation easy and the low weight is forgiving; Elan rates it intermediate through expert.
What size Elan Ripstick 96 should I get?
Roughly chin to nose height: 168 for skiers around 5’6” to 5’9”, 175 for 5’9” to 6’, and 182 or 189 for taller or heavier skiers who ski fast. It skis slightly short, so size up when in doubt.
Elan Ripstick 96 or 88?
The Ripstick 88 shares the same construction with a narrower waist, so it is quicker edge to edge and better on firm groomers; the 96 floats better in soft snow and crud. Choose the 88 if more than two-thirds of your days are on piste, the 96 if you chase storms.
Are the Elan Ripstick 96 left and right skis different?
Yes. The Amphibio profile puts more camber on the inside edge and more rocker on the outside edge, so each pair has a marked left and right ski that must be mounted and worn on the correct foot.
How It Compares
See how it stacks up in our full guide: The Best All-Mountain Skis of 2026-27. Other picks from that list: Völkl M7 Mantra · Blizzard Rustler 9 · Head Kore 94 Ti · K2 Mindbender 90C.