2026 Elan Ripstick 96

Now in its second season following a re-fresh, the 2026 Elan Ripstick 96 is a fun, energetic, and versatile ski that can handle a lot of terrain and applications for a ton of skiers. 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 96 continues to be the flagship model. With pep and zest to go along with a smooth and easy ride, these skis are primed and ready for true adventure.

Elan has a very innovative way of building skis, and they use asymmetry to get it done. 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 mobility and agility. Rather than carbon line technology, we now get two strips of unidirectional carbon under the core to increase stiffness and responsiveness while keeping the noise down. 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. Tester Alexander Connor notes that it’s a “Fun, great all mountain ski. Fast on the more groomed parts and could handle the heavy snow and small bumps.”

Elan also uses a right/left-specific shape and profile. 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 quite pronounced, with the wider portion brought down lower for smoother engagement. We did notice chatter to be more pronounced on firm snow for sure, which isn’t that surprising given the width, weight, and core thinness. Tester Matt Testa states that he’d “recommend this ski for both on-trail use and occasional off-trail exploration. For the average skier, it would likely make a solid daily driver. As I mentioned earlier, it performed well on-trail but didn’t stand out in any major way.”

Light, poppy, and fun to use, the Elan Ripstick 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. The flex and the weight ensure ease of use while the carbon adds zest and fun.