Ripstick 88 - Realskiers

2020 Elan Ripstick 88

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Ski Stats

Sidecut 130/88/105

Radius 17m @ 179cm

Lengths 151,158,165,172,179,186

Weight 1830g +/-50g

MSRP $750

FIND

Power Score: 7.89

Finesse Score: 8.25

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The All-Mountain East genre is split into two camps: models that represent the top end of on-trail, Frontside families (think Head V-Shape 10, Salomon XDR 88 Ti, Liberty V92) and the narrowest versions of Big Mountain fatties (e.g., Enforcer 88, Rustler 9, Kore 93). The Elan Ripstick 88 falls into the camp populated by off-trail offspring, tilting its terrain predilections towards soft snow and its pilot preference to skiers still polishing their skills. The 19/20 Ripstick 88 replaces an 86mm-waisted version that didn’t share the same guts as the rest of the Ripstick clan. This oversight has been corrected, so the 88 now incorporates every family feature, including Elan’s signature asymmetric design, Amphibio, that puts a longer edge on the inside and longer rocker on the outside. While Amphibio helps the Ripstick 88 cope with hardpack, every other important design element, from its lightweight carbon/glass structure to its tapered tips and tails, is biased towards off-trail conditions.

The All-Mountain East genre is split into two camps: models that represent the top end of on-trail, Frontside families (think Head V-Shape 10, Salomon XDR 88 Ti, Liberty V92) and the narrowest versions of Big Mountain fatties (e.g., Enforcer 88, Rustler 9, Kore 93). The Elan Ripstick 88 falls into the camp populated by off-trail offspring, tilting its terrain predilections towards soft snow and its pilot preference to skiers still polishing their skills.

Playing in ungroomed conditions brings out the best in the Ripstick 88. Pressing into soft snow gives its otherwise nervous tip something to do, and it only takes a light cushion of snow to allow the Ripstick 88 to grip at low edge angles. In light crud, the skier can adopt an evenly weighted, narrow stance for medium and long turns and can pull off tighter turns by swiveling.

Keeping the Ripstick 88 equally happy on really hard snow probably isn’t in the cards, as its tapered tip isn’t made for early edge engagement, even on its longer inside edge. To calm its jitters, apply increasing doses of edge angle until it mellows out. This may involve widening your stance to find said higher edge, which is more in keeping with the on-trail carving ethos. The steeper edge angle will also induce a tighter turn radius without resorting to the foot swiveling that is second nature to the Ripstick 88.

The 19/20 Ripstick 88 replaces an 86mm-waisted version that didn’t share the same guts as the rest of the Ripstick clan. This oversight has been corrected, so the 88 now incorporates every family feature, including Elan’s signature asymmetric design, Amphibio, that puts a longer edge on the inside and longer rocker on the outside. While Amphibio helps the Ripstick 88 cope with hardpack, every other important design element, from its lightweight carbon/glass structure to its tapered tips and tails, is biased towards off-trail conditions.

Narrow enough to be quick in bumps and wide enough to float in a foot of powder, the Ripstick 88 doesn’t need run hot in order to be responsive. For its willingness to move at a moderate pace and tolerance for pilot error, we award the new Ripstick 88 a Silver Skier Selection.