2026 Elan Ripstick 96 Skis with Tyrolia Attack 14 GW Bindings

Model Year	Product Page	Ski Test Results	Chairlift Chat
2027	2027 Elan Ripstick 96 Skis—Skis with bindings	2027 Elan Ripstick 96	—
2026	2026 Elan Ripstick 96 Skis—Skis with bindings	2025 Elan Ripstick 96 2026 Elan Ripstick 96	2025 Elan Ripstick 96 & Ripstick 96 Black Edition On Snow Ski Review 2026 Elan Ripstick 96 & 96 Black Edition Ski Review
2024	2024 Elan Ripstick 96 Skis—Skis with bindings	2024 Elan Ripstick 96	—

tester:

Mark MacDonald

Ability: I'm A Pro
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 180
Days / Year: 90-100
Age: 53
Years Skiing: 49

Try to be as technically sound as possible on all types of terrain

Ski:

2027 Elan Ripstick 96 Skis

Size Tested:

182 CM

Location, Terrain, Snow Conditions Notes

Stowe, hayride black diamond

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?

A little long

Scores

Floatation:8/10

Stability:5/10

Quickness:6/10

Playfulness:6/10

Forgiveness:5/10

Edge Grip:6/10

Versatility:6/10

Overall:6/10

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

Would like it to be a little stiffer.

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

Great for East Coast powder and moguls.

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

Intermediate/advanced/expert.

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

Would like to ski to be a bit stiffer.

Read the Full Ski Test →

tester:

Alexander Connor

Ability: Advanced
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 160 lbs.
Days / Year: 20
Age: 38
Years Skiing: 35

Nothing crazy but can do anything

Ski:

2027 Elan Ripstick 96 Skis

Size Tested:

172 CM

Location, Terrain, Snow Conditions Notes

Stowe, heavy and melting spring snow

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 to size

Scores

Floatation:6/10

Stability:8/10

Quickness:8/10

Playfulness:9/10

Forgiveness:7/10

Edge Grip:5/10

Versatility:8/10

Overall:9/10

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

Fun, great all mountain ski. Fast on the more groomed parts and could handle the heavy snow and small bumps.

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

Any - didn’t test in the woods but handled all the types of terrains across the mountain, steep bumps and groomers.

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

Anybody!

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

Nothing.

Read the Full Ski Test →

tester:

Matt Testa

Ability: Expert
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 160
Days / Year: 130+
Age: 29
Years Skiing: 25

Playful and flowy, but also love to charge

Ski:

2027 Elan Ripstick 96 Skis

Size Tested:

175 CM

Location, Terrain, Snow Conditions Notes

Skied at Stowe, took down Tomba to Perry Merrill on soft spring conditions and corn snow.

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 to size, I probably would have size up

Scores

Floatation:4/10

Stability:6/10

Quickness:5/10

Playfulness:4/10

Forgiveness:5/10

Edge Grip:5/10

Versatility:5/10

Overall:4/10

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

My first impression was that this ski skied pretty flat, was okay on the side hits and pretty light but honestly thought it was kind of boring. Nothing was truly remarkable about it.

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

I’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. Honestly, you could probably find a better mid- to high-90s ski for this type of terrain.

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

I would recommend this ski for intermediates who are looking to progress their skills.

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

Would probably put more camber for more edge hold and stiffen it up a little to make more playful.

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 96 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 think the 189 would be more my style in this ski.

Scores

Floatation:7/10

Stability:6/10

Quickness:9/10

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?

This ski is a bit looser in the initiation phase of the turn than it used to be. This bodes well for softer snow performance, but doesn't seem quite as adept when it comes to firmer snow and longer carved turns.

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

This ski is very well-rounded. It performs well in most any terrain due to the waist width and maneuverable build. You can get the shovel around very easily and the ski is incredibly simple to turn for how wide it is. Point and shoot--any terrain, any time.

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

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.

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

I'd like to see it more stable, but that's what the Black Edition is for.

Read the Full Ski Test →

tester:

Jeff Carpenter

Ability: Expert
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 155
Days / Year: 30-50
Age: 55
Years Skiing: 50

Aggressive and smooth

Ski:

2026 Elan Ripstick 96 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:8/10

Edge Grip:7/10

Versatility:9/10

Overall:9/10

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

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.

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

All conditions all mountain-like a Swiss Army knife.

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

Intermediate to expert. Pretty forgiving and playful.

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

Nothing-if you want more stability at speed consider choosing the black edition.

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 96 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?

Skis true to size, I prefer this length overall

Scores

Floatation:6/10

Stability:7/10

Quickness:9/10

Playfulness:8/10

Forgiveness:7/10

Edge Grip:7/10

Versatility:9/10

Overall:8/10

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

It's hard to think of a more versatile all-mountain ski than the Ripstick 96. The changes to the new version aren't massive compared to the previous version, but I do think they've made the ski more refined overall. It feels a little smoother and more supple to me, and it feels like that's accomplished mostly through tweaks to shape, flex pattern, and slightly changes to its build. It basically does everything the previous ski did, just better. Super maneuverable and agile in bumps, trees, and other off-piste terrain. Carves well too, but probably better performance there for a lighter skier. Just talking to some heavier skiers, they find more limitation in its flex pattern than I do when carving. Shorter, skidded turns are super easy.

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

You really can take it anywhere, and it's even pretty darn good in deeper soft snow conditions. I think that's quite impressive considering its width and when you think about other all-mountain skis in this category. With the Ripstick being so light and having a more soft-snow-focused shape than many, it excels in that scenario.

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

As has always been true with at least the narrower Ripstick models, it's quite approachable for an intermediate. That has always been a noteworthy accomplishment for Elan, but it shouldn't and doesn't mean it's not appropriate for experts too. I think for the higher end skier, versatility should be at the top of your list of priorities, and if you ski fast and aggressively, you should be on the lighter side of the skier weight spectrum, or you might want to consider Ripstick Black Edition.

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

It's a fantastic ski and I think the changes are excellent, so I wouldn't change anything else.

Read the Full Ski Test →

tester:

Matt Stromecki

Ability: Expert
Height: 6' 2"
Weight: 200
Days / Year: 70 - 100
Age: 25
Years Skiing: 23

Freeride to its definition. Playful but fundamentally sound with an emphasis on style.

Ski:

2026 Elan Ripstick 96 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 to size, could have gone for a longer length.

Scores

Floatation:8/10

Stability:7/10

Quickness:10/10

Playfulness:9/10

Forgiveness:9/10

Edge Grip:6/10

Versatility:8/10

Overall:8/10

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

Strong for how light they are. Slightly underpowered for heavier skiers who drive the tip hard. Super maneuverable and flickable.

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

All-mountain, trees, bumps, and groomers!

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

Intermediate to experts will get the most out of this ski. Light enough for intermediates and high enough for less aggressive or lighter experts to get high performance out of them.

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

Stiffen the tip in a longitudinal and torsional sense.

Read the Full Ski Test →

2026 Elan Ripstick 96 Skiswith Tyrolia Attack 14 GW Bindings

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