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Elan Ripstick 106 2018 Skis

8.6 Awesome

While these skis aren't recommended for beginner and novice skiers, those who really know what they're doing on the slopes will have a world of fun with these skis.

They're powerful while still being lightweight, super versatile, and are a dream to maneuver. There's no doubt expert skiers will be able to own the trails with the Elan Ripstick 106.

Groomer Performance 9
Powder Performance 9
Edge Hold 9.3
Ease of Use 6.5
Construction Quality 9.4
User Ratings (1 Votes) 9.5

Looking for skis, even as an advanced or expert skier, can be overwhelming.

There are so many choices and so many features to consider that it’s difficult to know which skis will be the right ones for your skill level, where you’re skiing, and what you want to do with them.

That’s why we’re here. Today we’ll be looking at the Elan Ripstick 106 skis.

The Ripstick 106 skis work great on both groomers and soft, just-fallen snow. They make turning a breeze, and grip and hold an edge quite well.

There have been some complaints about them not being flexible enough (not great for moguls), about the fact that you need to be an advanced or expert skier to use them, and about how they aren’t great at faster speeds.

But let’s take a closer look and then you can decide if the Elan Ripstick 106 skis are the ones you want to take out on the slopes.

Contents

0.1 Elan Ripstick 106 2018 Skis

1 Elan Ripstick 106 Skis: The Details
- 1.1 In a Nutshell
- 1.2 Features
2 Elan Ripstick 106 Skis Review
3 Where to Buy the Elan Ripstick 106 Skis

Elan Ripstick 106 Skis: The Details

In a Nutshell

Lengths: 167, 174, 181, 188 cm.
Sidecut: 140/106/122 mm (for 181 length).
Profile: Camber underfoot with rockered tips.
Turn Radius: 18 m (for 181 length).
Level: Advanced-Expert.
Type: All-mountain.

Features

Design

The Ripstick skis come with Elan’s patented Amphibio Profile. This means they have camber on the inside edges and rocker on the outside.

The result is more power and precision on the inside edge, while delivering easier pivots and smoother turns due to the outside edge.

Additionally, since you have both the camber and the rocker, it allows more maneuverability and better edge grip even in difficult conditions.

These skis also include Elan’s SST Sidewalls. This particular feature allows you to go down the slopes or the side of a mountain quickly and powerfully, as well as with the precision to make quick turns (due to the edge hold) if need be.

These skis will make you feel comfortable when charging through any terrain you come across.

Materials

The Elan Ripstick 106 skis use a combination of materials to construct the best ski possible for different terrains. They call this mash-up design TNT Technology.

The Ripstick is also made with some amazing materials to ensure you get the best performance. This includes the TubeLite WoodCore technology.

Two lightweight carbon tubes are inserted into a laminated wood core. These tubes are only 5mm in diameter (very small!), hollow, and run the entire length of each ski.

They allow you to have maximum stability and a powerful ride, even at high speeds. Because these materials are so lightweight, the skis will be quick to respond to your movements and your directions.

The Ripstick skis also come with VaporTip Inserts in the tip and tail of each ski. We know this is a lot of jargon but stick with us.

The VaporTip reduces the vibration of the skis while you’re riding and will give you a much smoother ride than if they weren’t present.

These tips also ensure the skis stay lightweight, but not so light that they can’t go through the most demanding of conditions.

Finally, these skis contain fibreglass to build up the structure of the ski. You don’t want to be riding down a rough slope only to have your ski break in half, or even crackle here and there, ruining it for later use.

The fibreglass helps make the ski a little more rigid but still flexible for maximum use and safety.

Elan Ripstick 106 Skis Review

The Positives

Works on Most Terrain

One of the greatest features of the Ripstick skis is that they can go on almost any terrain you choose to tackle.

Are you at a ski resort and want to ski on a groomed trail? These skis will work great there.

Or maybe it’s just after a blizzard and you want to get out on some soft snow? The Ripsticks will perform just as well.

Users discovered they couldn’t find many conditions where these skis didn’t give them a stellar ride making this a versatile ski that you can take with you despite the conditions.

It’s clear why the Elan Ripsticks compete for the title of best all mountain skis.

Easy Turns

Due to the underfoot camber, the rockered tip and tail, and the side walls, these skis are exceptionally easy to turn.

You will have good edge grip, so you also don’t have to worry about wiping out because your skis slid a little too much.

They’re super responsive, so you don’t have to exert too much force to get these skis where you want them to go.

And, once again, you don’t have to worry what kind of snow you’re in; you can turn just as easily on hard-packed snow as you can of soft powder.

The Ripsticks also won’t lead you astray into a tree or another skier. You can count on the accuracy of your turns every time.

Powerful

Don’t worry, expert and advanced skiers, these skis are powerful! You want to charge through slush and cruddy snow? You got it.

Those who like to charge down trails or race their friends will have a ton of fun on the Ripstick 106 skis.

These skis will assist you with precise maneuvers and act as a well-rounded assistant so you shine on the slopes.

It doesn’t matter the conditions; these skis will let you sail down the slopes as hard as you want. You’ll leave the haters in your snowy dust.

Lightweight

To get power from your skis, doesn’t mean you have to switch or stick to a heavier ski. The Elan Ripstick 106 skis pack a lot of power for how light they are.

If you’re not a fan of grunting and hauling heavy skis, a lighter ski like the Ripsticks may be more up your alley.

They won’t weigh you down, leaving your legs tired after a day on the snow, and they’ll be a little easier to maneuver than a heavier alternative.

Durable

Just because they’re light, doesn’t mean they’re flimsy. These Ripstick skis are super durable (and scratch resistant!) so they’ll be sure to stick with you for the long run.

The materials used in construction are high-quality, and strong, reinforcing these skis so they stand up to anything that’s thrown their way.

Not only are these skis long lasting, but thanks to how sturdy they are, they’ll be able to easily grow with skiers looking to perfect their techniques and learn new manoeuvres.

Damp

The Ripstick skis will also ensure you don’t have a bumpy ride down the slopes. They are very damp, which means you won’t have to worry if you’re hitting every imperfection in the snow along the way.

These are sure to give you a smooth ride. It’s just like with a car. No one wants to feel every pothole or construction flaw while they’re driving.

You can expect the same damp performance through a variety of conditions and terrain. These skis will ensure a comfortable experience, free of chatter as you fly down the rough slopes.

The Negatives

Experts Only

This isn’t a negative per say, but it should be noted if you are thinking about buying these skis. You need to have plenty of experience to be able to handle them.

These are by no means for beginners. You need to be at least at the advanced level, if not an expert, for these skis to work the best for you.

If you are seeking your next ski adventure and you have plenty of experience off and on-trail, these might be a dream come true.

Beginners, look for something less advanced (Don’t worry, you’ll move up to these skis eventually!)

Not Flexible

While these skis do have some flex in them, they didn’t have enough for some users.

Our testers noted that the Ripsticks would not be best for skiing over moguls, though they’re capable of it, of course.

You’ll feel every bump much harder than if you had a more flexible ski.

Suffers at High Speed

There were also a few users that didn’t like how Elan’s Ripsticks performed at high speeds. They found they worked much better and gave a smoother ride at more moderate speeds.

While they do reach higher speeds easily, they may struggle to give speedy skiers the same confidence they get at lower speeds, resulting in a clumsier ride.

So, if you are a real speed demon, you might want to try a different option.

Heavier than Other Lightweight Skis

While we rave about how light these skis are, they do weigh more than some other skis in its category. It won’t weigh you down while skiing but it’s not a feather.

If you’re looking for the absolute lightest skis possible this won’t be it, and there are other skis on the market that focus more on this factor.

That being said, you also won’t be grunting and hauling these skis around and for a durable ski that packs power, we are definitely impressed by the weight of them.

Here’s a video showing the Elan Ripstick 106 skis in action.

Overall Verdict

After considering all the positives and the negatives, we are recommending these skis, but like we said before, only for advanced and expert users.

While they will give you a comfortable ride due to their dampness and will work on just about every terrain, you have to know how to work them for the best results.

So, if you have been skiing for a long time and are looking for a set that will power you through the roughest snow, the Elan Ripstick 106 skis might just be the ones you’ve been dreaming of.