2025 Elan Ripstick 96 and Ripstick 96 Black Edition On Snow Ski Review with SkiEssentials.com

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2025 Elan Ripstick 96 and Ripstick 96 Black Edition On Snow Ski Review with SkiEssentials.com

Рет қаралды 14,205

Күн бұрын

Steep groomers, mogul and skiercross courses, and some beautiful weather at Waterville Valley made for excellent Ripstick 96 and Ripstick 96 Black Edition testing. Enjoy!
0:00 - Intro
1:00 - Changes
1:30 - Skiing at Stowe
4:00 - Run 1 Ripstick 96 On-Piste
7:35 - Run 2 Ripstick 96 On-Piste
11:35 - Run 3 Ripstick 96 Steeps and Jibbing
15:00 - Run 4 Ripstick 96 Moguls
17:25 - Run 5 Ripstick 96 Black Edition
19:10 - Regular vs Black Edition Moguls
21:20 - Ripstick 96 Black Edition On-Piste

Пікірлер: 56

@ParkCityDad1 Ай бұрын

I just bought the regular 180’s. I was never a fan of a Elan back in the old days. I thought the left and right Ski technology was going to be weird. This was the most fun ski I have been on in years’….and I have a lot of skis. Blew my mind.

@jamesbrun1089 6 ай бұрын

I have been doing a lot of night skiing the last couple of weeks and because of the unusually warm temps this season here in Minnesota, that means a lot of re-freeze, ice patches, and uncertain snow textures. When I am on my Black Rips, I just wiggle (flick) my way over it with a smile. Good work with this vid! Looking forward to seeing the in-studio breakdown.

@SkiEssentials 6 ай бұрын

Nice! It's incredibly satisfying to know that you can flick a turn wherever and whenever you need!

@christophermagnuson1270 6 ай бұрын

Oh boy is this great !❄️👍

@lovetoride9646 5 ай бұрын

Excellent video, gentlemen, I enjoyed this extended on-mountain format.

@SkiEssentials 5 ай бұрын

Thanks, it was fun to make!

@klank67 4 ай бұрын

Picked up a pair of black edition. I'm excited to see how they compare to skis with metal.

@quentenjones5513 6 ай бұрын

Conditions at Waterville were amazing!

@SkiEssentials 6 ай бұрын

And the features were so fun! Skiercross courses, mogul lines, jumps everywhere--so much interesting stuff there--I really want to bring my kids over, they'd love it there.

@peterschmitt415 6 ай бұрын

Looking forward to hearing about the 88 version. I love the quickness and playfulness of this year’s version. Great in the crud. Hoping that the 2025 is still great in the crud and craves a little better in the hard pack.

@SkiEssentials 6 ай бұрын

Personally, I've had the most success and fun on the 88. I love it in the bumps and trees and it makes incredibly rewarding short to medium radius turns on groomers. While I think I'd prefer the 96 Black Edition for crud specific skiing, the 88 still has a great level of performance here.

@sean9820 6 ай бұрын

I've always loved the shape of these skis, any idea why they seem like such a do it all carver yet having such a wide tip?

@SkiEssentials 6 ай бұрын

We talk about this all the time. How do they make a ski with a tip shape like this carve this well? For us, it's all about the carbon tubes. The 96, specifically, has an incredible ability to engage in a carved turn, especially in the mid-radius shape, despite having a wide and relatively flexible shovel. The positive feelings come from the 360-degree nature of the carbon tubes that run along the edges. Engaging these tubes delivers uncommon performance for a ski this light and wide.

@sean9820 6 ай бұрын

@@SkiEssentials I appreciate the response, you are all truly the best. It will certainly be a ski I consider in the future for exactly this reason (started with a new pair of captis this season, which I love!). Hope to see you up at Stowe one of these days, always keeping my eyes peeled for ya!

@45shrike 29 күн бұрын

How do you like the ‘25 96 Black Edition for skiing through crud and heavier chop? I have the ‘23 model which gets unsettled in those situations. Got some Volkl Kendo 88s thanks to your late season deals for skiing through crud and ice, curious how the new Ripstick Blacks do.

@SkiEssentials 25 күн бұрын

I don't think the new 96 Black Edition is better at crud and chop, especially for heavier skiers like me. The older one held up better in those applications. The shovel of the new ski is considerably softer, so for lighter skiers who are looking for easier mobility, it's a positive, but for more aggressive skiers, there are better options. In the mid-90's range, even the Mantra M7 is the way to go for crud and ice. Nordica Enforcer 94 or 99, Salomon QST 98, and Stockli Stormrider 95 are awesome skis for this range.

@KMaruyama 5 ай бұрын

This is exactly the review I've been looking for! I demo'ed the regular Ripstick 96 in Park City last week. I fell in love with them. I loved the playfulness and especially appreciated the light weight. Question: Is it safe to say that the Black would be better suited to east coast skiing than the regular? I am looking for a one quiver ski to do trips to the Poconos and Southern VT (Mt. Snow mostly) as well as Park City. I'm 5'10" and 165lbs and not especially a fast skier averaging about 35-40 mph per Slopes app. I don't go off piste and love carving turns. Love to hear your thoughts. Thanks for the videos. Very informative and enjoyable to watch. Great work!

@SkiEssentials 4 ай бұрын

I think that is a relatively safe assumption, given the skier stats are aligned with your height/weight. I wouldn't say the same for those that are more outside the average here. The Black Edition will make the firmer snow feel more supple and approachable because the stability is boosted.

@Donald_Ngo Ай бұрын

Hey guys! Love the vids. Just chasing some advice and thoughts. I test drove the 2024 Ripstick 96 Black Edition 180 cm and thought it was perfect. I've noticed the measurements are now different for the 2025 model. Was just wondering: 1. What length would you recommend for the 2025 model as a direct translation from the 2024 180cm? 2. Is the 2025 much better than 2024? Or should i just save the money and stick to the 2024 180cm?

@SkiEssentials Ай бұрын

As a larger skier at 6/2 225, I prefer the 2024. They're stiffer, stronger, and more stable. I'd say the 182 is closer to the 180, mainly because they're much more flexible and you can access the sidecut with greater ease and efficiency.

@Bryan-rl2ik 6 ай бұрын

really excited to see my new skis here

@SkiEssentials 6 ай бұрын

Nice! Hope you enjoy!

@tomchristensen1833 5 ай бұрын

Thanks for the inspiring reviews. Have been skiing pure Slalom and GS (light) skis for some years. Mostly on holiday in the European Alps. Fun but demanding, starting to getting old, not fit and fat. Bought Ripstick 88 last year. Extremely easy to drive, fun and perfect for keeping the same pace as the wife. Could have wished for a little more rawness. Is Ripstick 96 black edition an alternative. Old or new model? Mostly on slopes, some offpist now and then. Bought the Ripsitck 88 to my wife as well and she loves them.

@SkiEssentials 5 ай бұрын

The old 96 Black Edition I think is stiffer and more robust than any other Ripstick model other than the 106 Black Edition.

@Dan-ty7cb 5 ай бұрын

I’m stuck between Ripsticks and QSTs. I’m an advanced skier weighing 150 lbs. I don’t really charge super hard off piste but on groomers I like to carve. Usually stick to off piste compared to groomers in a ratio of 70/30. Do you think the Ripstick 96 makes more sense than the QST 98? I’m also looking closely at the new Ripstick 102 and possibly the black editions. Thanks.

@SkiEssentials 5 ай бұрын

I think the Ripstick makes good sense here. Still great carvers but so easy. The QST is a good turner, but has more weight to it. I don't think there's a huge difference between the 96's and 102's for 2025, and even if you spend more of your time off-piste, I still think the 96 is a very useful width.

@davidbutter9174 6 ай бұрын

They look awesome are Elan bring out a 102 and a 108 for 2025

@SkiEssentials 6 ай бұрын

Yes, 102 Regular and Black Edition, and the 108 (No Black Edition for 108). The 116 goes away, leaving the new Playmaker 111 as the widest Elan offering.

@sams.3691 5 ай бұрын

Any plans to review the new Elan Primetime series skis? I'd love to hear your thoughts on them!

@SkiEssentials 5 ай бұрын

We don't have specific plans for this series, but when we skied it last year we were impressed with the stability and carving power for sure.

@niekversteege 6 ай бұрын

The chairlift is gunning it! Or does it just look like that through the camera? They seem a lot slower in Austria :)

@SkiEssentials 6 ай бұрын

I'd imagine it's camera. The lift is high speed, but not faster than normal high speed.

@cyclingbutterbean 5 ай бұрын

How are you finding either Ripstick does in crud and or chopped up powder? I tried a RS96 Green and liked them for their lightweight. I thought they carved well . Did well in the bumps although bumps are NOT something I seek out. Wondering about their ability to plow through the manked up remains of a powder day? Thanks in advance.

@SkiEssentials 5 ай бұрын

I wouldn't say the new Ripsticks are any better than the 2024 or older versions in crud and chop. This is especially true for heavier skiers, since the skis are so light.

@timporter6707 5 ай бұрын

Hi @SkiEssentials Team. Looking to replace my 191 black ops 98. The 188 96 Ripstick black edition is high on my list. 2024 models are on sale for about $300 less than a new 2025. Is the 2025 version that much better and worth full msrp?

@SkiEssentials 5 ай бұрын

I personally prefer the 2024 model to the 2025--it's a bit stiffer and more stout vs. the 2025 which has more flex in the shovel. If you want the ski to be more playful in softer snow, the 2025 is very nice and smooth, but personally, I'd rather save the money on the 2024's.

@algojeff 6 ай бұрын

Got both R96 and Glen Plake R104 (previous iteration). Love them both. Only complain, as you evoke, is middle to long term durability (and I ain’t the meanest skier on the mountain). Will Elan lunch a new iteration of GP signature,but at 106 (as rumoured) ?

@SkiEssentials 6 ай бұрын

For 2025, the Tour 104 gets a slight graphic change, but no 106 that we're seeing.

@algojeff 6 ай бұрын

Thanks, guys !@@SkiEssentials

@lewandes 6 ай бұрын

2k25 ski gear here we go!

@SkiEssentials 6 ай бұрын

Future skis!

@robertjehn2891 6 ай бұрын

I find that my 2022 Ripstick black chatters more than my 2020 ripstick 96 when I am sloppy with my form (not applying weight properly on the downhill ski during a turn). Do you notice that with the 2025 models?

@SkiEssentials 6 ай бұрын

At 225 pounds, I do notice the 2025's being pretty chattery at speed on hard snow. It takes that combination, though, and anything softer and I don't feel the same way.

@user-lb1eh8hn8s 5 ай бұрын

Can you ski switch on the Ripstick 96? Appreciate your feedback.

@SkiEssentials 5 ай бұрын

Yes? While not a twin tip, there is some tail rocker to make mild switch skiing possible, but not as much as a true twin tip like the Elan Playmaker.

@pokerrich9 6 ай бұрын

Do you find the black edition chattery , especially in steeper form/ice conditions?

@SkiEssentials 6 ай бұрын

Yes, but it does take that combination of elements to get the chatter. The heavier the skier or the more aggressive in those conditions, the more likely you are to see that chat.

@MrVinman711 6 ай бұрын

Do I go 96 or 88?

@bearclaw5115 6 ай бұрын

Neither would be very useful in the African plains. The Black Edition might be better for clubbing zebras over the head.

@fartab 6 ай бұрын

😅@@bearclaw5115

@fartab 6 ай бұрын

you made my day😂@@bearclaw5115

@SkiEssentials 6 ай бұрын

This is an interesting thread. From a skiing perspective, the 88 is probably more useful for more skiers most of the time. The 96 offers an additional soft snow character, but it does come at the cost of torsional stiffness on firmer snow. If you're mostly on groomers with some adventure, I think the 88 makes a lot of sense.

@MrVinman711 6 ай бұрын

@@SkiEssentials I'm looking for something I can take down the Front Four at Stowe. I have the Atomic Bent Chetlers 100s and I love them. But at 173 They may be a bit too long for me (5'7" 175.) I get tied up when skiing trees and steep moguls. And I'm not sure which would be better to zip around the woods and steeps 88 or 96'