2025 Elan Ripstick 88 W

Each season we get the return of the Elan Ripstick, we consider ourselves lucky. When it comes to all-mountain performance, it’s tough to compete with this line of skis. Energetic, sturdy and highly rewarding, Elan nailed the approach to this ski. Combining a high-performance build with an Amphibio profile and approachable nature, skiers looking to carve with precision and hop around in off-piste terrain continue to come back to this ski. For the 2025 season, Elan decided it was time to shake things up with this fan favorite and redesign the build, as well as alter the shape, to enhance responsiveness, versatility, and overall performance. While we do get two new width sizes in the collection, the return of the 88 W is fantastic news for those wanting on-piste domination and energetic maneuverability. Delivering the same great level of intuitive, accessible performance, the new iteration heightens the previous characteristics in a way that promotes technique and confidence like never before.

While the previous model certainly was not lacking in the construction department, Elan wanted to tweak the use of carbon throughout to achieve an even higher level of performance. Continuing to use their Tubelite wood core, consisting of poplar and paulownia, they introduce what they call “Carbon Deck Technology”. While the former Ripstick featured a central chord of carbon running down the middle from tip to tail, the carbon rods have been shortened in order to make room for uni-directional carbon strips, which give the ski its added smoothness. In addition, carbon strips are placed to align with the Amphibio profile, with longer, thicker portions running along the inside edge and shorter, thinner portions running along the outside edge. We’ve seen the success of the Amphibio profile all along but now Elan has enhanced its effect by positioning the carbon to coincide with it. To round out the construction, the vapor tip inserts move to full wood with a flax fiber layer on top, taking the smoothness to the next level. The overall result? With a stiffer flex pattern, stronger edge grip and enhanced responsiveness, the performance has reached a new height. That said, Tester Samantha Jolly found it to be “extremely stiff and too long. Easy to go fast with.” Important to keep in mind, the 88 W packs some punch and is designed to tackle on-piste terrain with power.

Looking at the shape, we don’t see any change to the waist width, keeping that ~90 mm dimension underfoot, which is ideal for all-mountain/carving capabilities. Where we do see a modification is in the turn radius and tip shape. With slightly altered length options, the 14.2-meter turn radius in the 162 cm drops to a 13.8-meter turn radius in the 161 cm length. With the goal being quicker, more responsive turn initiation, it’s safe to say Elan achieved this, As for the shovel, we get a slightly narrower dimension to achieve better ski-to-snow contact and greater responsiveness. The Amphibio profile continues into this model as previously mentioned and this has so much to do with the level of performance. With the ability to drive and engage the downhill ski with force while leaving the uphill ski slightly more bendable, on-piste technique and performance is top-notch.

For Ripstick fans, the 2025 88 W reiteration only brings greater results as far as top-tier performance on-piste and all-mountain versatility. There’s a reason this ski has gained such a reputation and with slight yet highly effective modifications, the legacy only continues.