2025 Elan Ripstick 96

The Elan Ripstick 96 has been a stalwart of the lightweight all-mountain genre for a number of years now, and for 2025, we get some updates that will bring this ski closer to both the top and the bottom of the ski world. There are many things that do not change when it comes to this ski’s ability to be versatile, agile, and tons of fun. On the other side, the updates make the ski easier to use at a variety of edge angles, more energetic out of the tail, and turnier in the tips. The mid-90's is a great place to be when it comes to pure all-mountain skiing, and this ski is a shining example of that theory. While it’s on the wide side to be considered much of a true front side option, it’s certainly got the versatility to exist and comply with purely carved turns, it just needs slightly softer snow to fully engage the edges and sidecut. Elan has done very well with the Ripstick series of skis over the years, and this new 96 continues to be the flagship model.

Built similarly, but slightly different, the 2025 Ripstick 96 still utilizes a tubelite wood core consisting of poplar and paulownia. We get their carbon tubes along the sides of the skis and a flax layer in the forebody where the Vapor Tips used to be. As a result, the overall profile of the ski is a bit thinner than it was before, boosting the mobility and agility. Rather than carbon line technology, we now get two strips of unidirectional carbon under the core to increase stiffness and responsiveness. Tester Bob St.Pierre notes “There's some range here. It's a bit wide to be suitable for intermediates, but it's easy enough to slide around on, just so long as you're not expecting high-edge angle carves--those are reserved for the higher advanced and expert range of skiers.” The lighter build does seem to preclude this ski from total expert carving behavior. The middle range of this ski is a lot bigger than the top end. In the 182 cm length, the Ripstick 96 sits on the scale at 1640 grams—tough to make a ski that light act like a race ski on firm groomers.

The overall shape and profile of the ski stay largely the same. We see the same width underfoot, but with slightly wider tips for an increase in turning initiation. The ski benefits from the asymmetrical profile that puts more rocker on the outside edges and more camber on the inside. This creates a smooth transition from turn to turn and makes skiers feel like they’re 100% in control of the outcome of the turn. The taper shape of the ski is more pronounced, with the wider portion brought down lower for smoother engagement. Jeff Carpenter states that the Ripstick 96 “Makes a great “one ski quiver” option especially here on the east coast where deep snow isn’t as frequent. Super fun and versatile in all conditions with its only drawback being it’s a bit chattery at speed especially in chopped up snow.” We did notice that chatter to be more pronounced on firm snow for sure, which isn’t that surprising given the width, weight, and core thinness.

In general, the new 96 checks many boxes for many skiers. There’s a huge range of skier type here. Beginner skiers who are looking to progress and buy one set of skis for soft and hard snow are not out of the question here. Experts who are lighter in weight and more technical than aggressive will settle in nicely. If you are looking for a light ski for bumps, trees, and other adventurous activities, the Ripstick 96 will be a best friend to you out there on the hill.