Elan's Ripstick 94 is the lightest freeride ski we tested, and an asset in pretty much all conditions. It gave a smooth easy ride, with enough underfoot to tackle anything bar the deepest of powder. An impressive ski for sure!
The Ripstick has a dedicated right and left ski thanks to Elan's Amphibio technology, something that really set it apart from others in the test. The design gives a cambered inside edge for added precision and edge hold, but a rockered outside edge for a more forgiving ride.
Elan have used a Tubelite wood core, comprising of two carbon tubes in a lightweight laminated wood core, that run along the length of the ski. This gives excellent torsional stability, while maintaining the lightweight finish the Ripstick is known for. The SST sidewall construction further improves the torsional strength of the ski.
Although advertised as a freeride ski, I would love to try the Ripstick with a touring binding, and there is nothing stopping you from doing the same. Such a lightweight ski with a reasonable waist could be a dream for accessing more adventurous backcountry terrain.
The Ripstick 94 would be a great buy for ladies wanting fun days off piste, especially those adventurous enough to give touring a go. At £500 without bindings it is expensive, but the cutting-edge tech and excellent performance justifies this! Overall, a lot of fun.
