2026 Elan Ripstick 102 Black Edition Skis

Model Year	Product Page	Ski Test Results	Chairlift Chat
2027	2027 Elan Ripstick 102 Black Edition Skis—Skis with bindings	2027 Elan Ripstick 102 Black Edition	—
2026	2026 Elan Ripstick 102 Black Edition Skis—Skis with bindings	2025 Elan Ripstick 102 Black Edition 2026 Elan Ripstick 102 Black Edition	—

tester:

Jameson Halnon

Ability: Advanced
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 200
Days / Year: 60-70
Age: 37
Years Skiing: On/off since childhood.

Playful, fastish, desperately wanting to be steezy

Ski:

2026 Elan Ripstick 102 Black Edition Skis

Size Tested:

185 CM

Did this length feel short, long, or just right? Would you recommend sizing up or down, or does it ski "true to size?" Would you choose this length for yourself?

Right size

Scores

Floatation:5/10

Stability:6/10

Quickness:5/10

Playfulness:5/10

Forgiveness:6/10

Edge Grip:6/10

Versatility:7/10

Overall:6/10

What's your first impression of this ski? How did it feel?

I did not enjoy this ski. Felt fine but didn’t do any one thing well.

For what type of terrain would you recommend this ski? Why does it perform well in that terrain?

Feels appropriate for a single ski quiver for most conditions for someone not charging.

What's the appropriate ability level and/or style for this ski? Why is it appropriate for that type of skier?

Beginner-intermediate, it could serve as a single ski for someone but not strong enough to purchase for powder, or any one off condition.

If you could change anything about these skis, what would you change and why?

Needed a little bit of everything. Didn’t charge, didn’t play.

Read the Full Ski Test →

tester:

Pete Fox

Ability: Expert
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 250
Days / Year: 100+
Age: 42
Years Skiing: 40

I wanna go fast

Ski:

2026 Elan Ripstick 102 Black Edition Skis

Size Tested:

182 CM

Did this length feel short, long, or just right? Would you recommend sizing up or down, or does it ski "true to size?" Would you choose this length for yourself?

True

Scores

Floatation:7/10

Stability:8/10

Quickness:8/10

Playfulness:8/10

Forgiveness:7/10

Edge Grip:7/10

Versatility:7/10

Overall:7/10

What's your first impression of this ski? How did it feel?

Requires a light touch, fun, but not as solid as other skis in its class.

For what type of terrain would you recommend this ski? Why does it perform well in that terrain?

All mountain.

What's the appropriate ability level and/or style for this ski? Why is it appropriate for that type of skier?

Advanced.

If you could change anything about these skis, what would you change and why?

Longer, stiffer.

Read the Full Ski Test →

tester:

Brad Moskowitz

Ability: Expert
Height: 5'4" with shoes
Weight: 140
Days / Year: 60-75 lift served, 25-40 Backcountry
Age: 56
Years Skiing: 52

Fun and free

Ski:

2026 Elan Ripstick 102 Black Edition Skis

Size Tested:

175 CM

Did this length feel short, long, or just right? Would you recommend sizing up or down, or does it ski "true to size?" Would you choose this length for yourself?

Perfect! Skis true to length and just my size

Scores

Floatation:9/10

Stability:8/10

Quickness:9/10

Playfulness:9/10

Forgiveness:8/10

Edge Grip:8/10

Versatility:9/10

Overall:9/10

What's your first impression of this ski? How did it feel?

I really enjoyed this ski! It felt light and snappy while also able to rip turns at speed. Relatively quick edge to edge for a 102, and easy to control in the air, this ski also stomped the landing with ease.

For what type of terrain would you recommend this ski? Why does it perform well in that terrain?

All mountain, steps bumps and trees!

What's the appropriate ability level and/or style for this ski? Why is it appropriate for that type of skier?

Advanced to expert.

If you could change anything about these skis, what would you change and why?

Nothing!

Read the Full Ski Test →

Bob submitted 2 test cards — select one:

tester:

Bob St.Pierre

Ability: Advanced
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 225
Days / Year: 100
Age: 46
Years Skiing: Started at 10 years old, so now been skiing 36 years.

I prefer short turns with high energy equally as long turns with low energy.

Ski:

2026 Elan Ripstick 102 Black Edition Skis

Size Tested:

182 CM

Did this length feel short, long, or just right? Would you recommend sizing up or down, or does it ski "true to size?" Would you choose this length for yourself?

Felt short. I'd like to ski the 189 because it's pretty light.

Scores

Floatation:7/10

Stability:7/10

Quickness:7/10

Playfulness:7/10

Forgiveness:7/10

Edge Grip:6/10

Versatility:7/10

Overall:6/10

What's your first impression of this ski? How did it feel?

This ski felt a little soft in the shovel. From the mid-body on back, it's a wonderfully damp and stable ski, but it's a bit of a difference in the tips.

For what type of terrain would you recommend this ski? Why does it perform well in that terrain?

The 102 Black Edition is decent in all terrain. It doesn't really excel in any one particular area, but is a lot of fun in most zones. It's a fantastic tree ski and is maneuverable in tighter areas.

What's the appropriate ability level and/or style for this ski? Why is it appropriate for that type of skier?

This is a great option for advanced and expert skiers who can drive a ski but also enjoy some ease of use.

If you could change anything about these skis, what would you change and why?

I'd make it more chargey.

Read the Full Ski Test →

tester:

Phil McGrory

Ability: Expert
Height: 6' 0"
Weight: 180
Days / Year: 50
Age: 36
Years Skiing: 16 skiing. 25 snowboarding

Surfs and playful

Ski:

2026 Elan Ripstick 102 Black Edition Skis

Size Tested:

180 CM

Did this length feel short, long, or just right? Would you recommend sizing up or down, or does it ski "true to size?" Would you choose this length for yourself?

Just right. True to size

Scores

Floatation:7/10

Stability:7/10

Quickness:8/10

Playfulness:8/10

Forgiveness:8/10

Edge Grip:7/10

Versatility:8/10

Overall:8/10

What's your first impression of this ski? How did it feel?

Light weight and playful. Ski felt very nimble and quick.

For what type of terrain would you recommend this ski? Why does it perform well in that terrain?

Variable terrain and snow. Ski is light and nimble making it quick and easy to navigate through tight and mixed terrain and conditions.

What's the appropriate ability level and/or style for this ski? Why is it appropriate for that type of skier?

Intermediate to expert skiers. Ski is forgiving enough for a more Intermediate skier to handle but still maintains enough power for more experience skiers.

If you could change anything about these skis, what would you change and why?

0

Read the Full Ski Test →

tester:

Jake Webber

Ability: Expert
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 220
Days / Year: 20
Age: 31
Years Skiing: 28

Aggressive and down the fall line

Ski:

2026 Elan Ripstick 102 Black Edition Skis

Size Tested:

182 CM

Did this length feel short, long, or just right? Would you recommend sizing up or down, or does it ski "true to size?" Would you choose this length for yourself?

Just right. Felt close to true, maybe a little short, but I would choose this length myself.

Scores

Floatation:8/10

Stability:9/10

Quickness:8/10

Playfulness:7/10

Forgiveness:8/10

Edge Grip:7/10

Versatility:7/10

Overall:8/10

What's your first impression of this ski? How did it feel?

This ski felt exactly how I expected. Lightweight with all the goodness of the Ripstick line, just in a low 100 waist width package.

For what type of terrain would you recommend this ski? Why does it perform well in that terrain?

Anything except ice. Maneuverable, large sweet spot, highly responsive, and still stable with some speed in the crud.

What's the appropriate ability level and/or style for this ski? Why is it appropriate for that type of skier?

Advanced and up. Intermediate skiers won’t need the extra reinforcement in the black edition.

If you could change anything about these skis, what would you change and why?

Price. Make it affordable.

Read the Full Ski Test →

tester:

Steve Sulin

Ability: Expert
Height: 6
Weight: 240
Days / Year: 35
Age: 49
Years Skiing: 40

Ski:

2026 Elan Ripstick 102 Black Edition Skis

Size Tested:

182 CM

Did this length feel short, long, or just right? Would you recommend sizing up or down, or does it ski "true to size?" Would you choose this length for yourself?

short

Scores

Floatation:8/10

Stability:10/10

Quickness:10/10

Playfulness:8/10

Forgiveness:8/10

Edge Grip:9/10

Versatility:9/10

Overall:9/10

What's your first impression of this ski? How did it feel?

Friendly but likes to be pushed harder than the regular 102. Happier on hard snow than deep snow.

For what type of terrain would you recommend this ski? Why does it perform well in that terrain?

Mixed snow to hard snow.

What's the appropriate ability level and/or style for this ski? Why is it appropriate for that type of skier?

Advanced to expert.

If you could change anything about these skis, what would you change and why?

Black sidewalls. Skies to short for a 102.

Read the Full Ski Test →

tester:

Jeff Neagle

Ability: Expert
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 160
Days / Year: 120-140
Age: 38
Years Skiing: 36

Playful, smooth, rhythmic, and loose

Ski:

2026 Elan Ripstick 102 Black Edition Skis

Size Tested:

182 CM

Did this length feel short, long, or just right? Would you recommend sizing up or down, or does it ski "true to size?" Would you choose this length for yourself?

Just right, skis true to size.

Scores

Floatation:7/10

Stability:8/10

Quickness:8/10

Playfulness:8/10

Forgiveness:7/10

Edge Grip:8/10

Versatility:9/10

Overall:9/10

What's your first impression of this ski? How did it feel?

Ripstick Black Edition skis continue to impress with this new version. I like the new 102 width too in general. I think it's fair to say the new skis are a touch less powerful than the previous Black Edition, I suppose comparing directly with the 106. Actually, less powerful doesn't seem right. They're just a touch softer in their flex pattern, or it feels that way when you ski them, but not in a bad way whatsoever. I always though, if anything, the 106 Black Edition carved too well. Of course that's kind of silly, but a ski in this width range should be fun and playful before carving really well, at least in my opinion. This ski is equal parts strong, maneuverable, playful, stable, and 100% confidence-inspiring for a skier who likes to do it all.

For what type of terrain would you recommend this ski? Why does it perform well in that terrain?

It can really go anywhere. While its width might place it into the freeride category, to me it feels more like an all-mountain ski because of its capabilities on-piste. Really good edge grip and vibration damping for a ski this wide, but the shape allows for so much playfulness and maneuverability in soft snow and tighter terrain. It's pretty sweet.

What's the appropriate ability level and/or style for this ski? Why is it appropriate for that type of skier?

While a lot of the Ripstick skis are appropriate for an intermediate, I think the Black Editions are best for advanced or ideally expert skiers. I just think the benefits they have over the normal Ripsticks are somewhat lost on an intermediate. If you're not skiing fast and really driving the ski, you don't need the extra power of the Black Edition and arguably are better off on a normal Ripstick 102.

If you could change anything about these skis, what would you change and why?

The only thing I can say is I'd love to ski a Ripstick Black build in a Playmaker 101 shape, but I know I'm being pretty selfish there.

Read the Full Ski Test →

tester:

Chris McClelland

Ability: Expert
Height: 6' 4
Weight: 175
Days / Year: 60-80
Age: 28
Years Skiing: 25

Fast and aggressive, I really like to push my equipment to its limit

Ski:

2026 Elan Ripstick 102 Black Edition Skis

Size Tested:

182 CM

Did this length feel short, long, or just right? Would you recommend sizing up or down, or does it ski "true to size?" Would you choose this length for yourself?

felt true to size

Scores

Floatation:8/10

Stability:7/10

Quickness:7/10

Playfulness:6/10

Forgiveness:6/10

Edge Grip:6/10

Versatility:7/10

Overall:6/10

What's your first impression of this ski? How did it feel?

They kind of felt awkward for me and not as stiff as what you expect from a black edition. I think these black editions are closer to last years regular Ripsticks than the black editions, which is rough for expert skiers. I think it made sense to make the regular 102 softer and more accessible, I don't think it made sense with this ski.

For what type of terrain would you recommend this ski? Why does it perform well in that terrain?

Similar terrain to the normal 102, so more off trail than on trail.

What's the appropriate ability level and/or style for this ski? Why is it appropriate for that type of skier?

I think with how much softer these black editions are most intermediates could have a lot of fun on them.

If you could change anything about these skis, what would you change and why?

I would make them much stiffer, it feels like Elan sacrificed having a high performance platform for advanced and expert skiers in favor of trying to occupy more of the beginner and intermediate market.

Read the Full Ski Test →

2026 Elan Ripstick 102 Black Edition Skis

2026 Elan Ripstick 102 Black Edition Skis

GET THIS SKI WITH BINDINGS AND FREE MOUNTING:

2026 Elan Ripstick 102 Black Edition Skis with Salomon Strive 14 GW Bindings

$1,279.94

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