2021 Elan Ripstick 88 W

We just love the 88's here in Vermont. They strike the best balance between front-side carving and all-mountain versatility. If you only had an 88, you'd be doing just fine. The 2021 Elan Ripstick 88 W is a perfect choice for advanced lady skiers who are looking for the ultimate in light weight versatility. Mostly the same as years past, the 88 for 2021 gets a performance boost in the form of Elan's Carbon Line Technology. As if the skis weren't asymmetric enough before, the addition of a carbon strip on the inside edges takes it to a new level, and we're loving it. Remaining the same is the carbon tube technology, featuring three-dimensional carbon tubes that run the length of the ski. Since they flex in an almost infinite amount of ways, the skis have a unique blend of light weight and stiffness. When you get them up on edge, they will bring you right around in the carve-they certainly prefer higher edge angles in order to boost performance rather than a more skidding style.

Whether you take these in the woods, rip through the bumps, or blast through powder and crud, the asymmetric shape and profile is the defining characteristic of these Ripstick skis. The inside edges of the skis are cambered while the outside are rockered, creating a unique and smooth feeling from turn to turn. You can definitely feel it, and it makes a lot of sense, just so long as you remember to keep the right ski on the right foot. Softer in the shovels, these skis initiate turns very easily, but you feel the carbon underfoot and the more responsive tail really bring you around in the end. For skiers looking for fun and performance in a light weight package, this ski is the way to go.

It was a tough year for us to get our own testers on Elan's skis, but we were able to reach out and get Elan ambassador MJ Carroll's valuable feedback on the versatile 88. She skied the 170 and loved it. All 4's and 5's on the scorecard from MJ, including 5's for quickness, maneuverability, versatility, and overall impression. These are the exact type of scores we'd expect to see on a ski like this, and we're not disappointed. MJ notes that she "sees this ski as being the perfect bridge ski for someone transitioning from an all-mountain system ski to amore freeride/big-mountain ski. It's narrow and nimble enough to stay on hard pack all day long and have a blast, or venture off into the bumps and trees with the power, float and confidence you need to take on new terrain. The skis feel true to length and width underfoot, making it really easy to trust and understand the skis from the first turn. The ski's versatility comes out in its wide range of turn shapes and styles. It can shred quick, fast turns, or transition with ease and open up for bib, wide, arcing turns. The vapor tip and carbon tubes keeps the ride smooth and enjoyable, while keeping the overall weight light and easy to ski all day long. For the east coast skier looking for an all-mountain ski that will progress with them as they take on big mountain terrain, the Ripstick 88 is a perfect ski for them." Certainly, it's a well-rounded ski for a lot of skiers and skier types.

Better than before, the 2021 Elan Ripstick 88 W is a perfect choice for the ultimate in versatile fun. With some sweet upgrades and the carrying forward of the stuff we loved from years past, the new Ripstick is ready to appeal to a whole new group of skiers, and we'll all be better off for it.