There must be something to this Amphibio deal, an asymmetric forebody that’s rockered above the outside edge and cambered over the inside edge. The Ripstick 96 flows over whatever run lies ahead, be it a rutted backside bump field or the pristine pinstripes of Deer Valley-quality groomage. It never loses its I-can-carve-that attitude, always striving to lay down twin tracks as if every run was down the frontside of Vail.

A ski doesn’t attract above average scores unless it brings something extra to the party, which in the case of the Ripstick 96 is a little kick in the tail that scoots it through the turn transition. The boost into the next turn helps establish a rhythm that feels as natural as a waterfall. The Ripstick 96 is a lower-case “d” democrat: it treats all terrain equally, balancing the wild (All-Mountain) West imperative to smear through powder with its Frontside training in carving etiquette.

We didn’t receive enough scores to rate it, but there’s every indication that the Ripstick Black, aka Ripstick Carbon, adds an extra measure of dampening that takes the Ripstick 96 up a notch. The only attribute the regular Ripstick lacks is the rectitude to stand up to the shellacking normally administered by saturated spring snow. The bonus layer of carbon on the Ripstick Black addresses this limitation, creating a ski of rare calm in the face of adversity.

Pedants will note that the Ripstick 96 actually scored four one hundredths of a point higher for Power than Finesse, but don’t let this slim margin outweigh your esteemed Editor’s assurance that the Ripstick 96 will better serve the 20-day/year skier than the 100-day/year addict. As smooth and refined as an XO cognac, the Ripstick 96 brings a dual-track carver’s approach to whatever terrain is on the menu.