Elan Ripstick 106 2021 Review

[I Skied Bandini Mountain]

I bought a cheap pair of used 2020 193 cm 116s for shits and giggles. Had to fix a delaminating edge and get the bases and edges done.

Took them out today in 4" of new on top of 6" of pretty thick and cut up leftovers from yesterday. These skis rip like the name says. I'm a fan.

[hiplainsdrifter]

Any thoughts on mount point for the RS106? I'm looking at the 188 but would be curious on relevant experience on other sizes. I've found one vote for -2 and one vote for +2 so far. I tend to prefer a more rearward/traditional mount as I'd much rather pressure my boots than have too much tail bucking me around.

[kc_7777]

Holy jeez....just felt up next year’s 2022 Ripstick Black Edition 96 at the local shop. A very stoutish flex for such a light ski.

Pretty sure I’ll be posting a pic of some new gear here soon.....

[kc_7777]

Here’s some Ripstick porn for ya!

My freshly mounted 2022 Ripstick 96 Black Editions with black STH 16s....

[buttahflake]

Those look sick!

[kc_7777]

Those look sick!

I’m in awe of these things. So stiff...and damp feeling yet light. They have a quality look/feel/weight that my 2021 Ripstick 106s don’t have.

Cost was $799CDN ($630US) which was a “deal” from my local shop. I’m pretty happy.

Gonna try ‘em tomorrow at Whistler! Will report back.

[fool]

Are the '18-'19 Ripsticks similar in performance, stiffness, etc. to the current model? I think I found a deal on an old pair so was interested to see what the Mags think. Thanks in advance!

[axebiker]

Are the '18-'19 Ripsticks similar in performance, stiffness, etc. to the current model? I think I found a deal on an old pair so was interested to see what the Mags think. Thanks in advance!

Nope. Totally different build. Way softer, and hard snow performance is lackluster at best. 20-21 and on is where it's at.

[axebiker]

Here’s some Ripstick porn for ya!

2022 Ripstick 96 Black Editions with black STH 16s....

Beautiful!

I think I'm gonna go back to Sali's next season too. Attack 13's have been good, but there's just something about Sali...

[fool]

Nope. Totally different build. Way softer, and hard snow performance is lackluster at best. 20-21 and on is where it's at.

Ok, awesome: thanks for the heads up, axe!

[ticketchecker]

@axe, any time on the Ripstick 88's?

[kc_7777]

Here’s some pics (left to right) of: a 2022 180cm Ripstick 96 Black Edition, a 2020 177cm Ripstick 102W, and a 2021 180cm Ripstick 106....I can confirm they are all exact same length. Straight pull ~177.7cm. And my buddy has the 2020 181cm 106s....exact same too. So Elan has a 177cm, 180cm and 181cm that are all the same length. Also, the 177cm 102W and the 180cm 106 Ripsticks are the exact same dimensions in tip/waist/tail....same mold?

btw....the 2022 Ripstick Black Editions are the real deal. They are stiffer when compared to the regular 2021 Ripsticks (and the 2021s are stiffer than the 2020 Ripsticks).....as the 2022 Black Editions have two more extra full-length carbon rods...so four carbon rods in total in the 2022 Black Edition (versus only two carbon rods in the 2021s)....Elan calls it “QuadRod” = stiffness/dampness without the weight of metal. I call it fucking awesome! I predict the 2022 BE's becomes a kind of cult ski. It’s really really good. Review pending.

[GravityDT]

Loving my ‘’19/20 BlackEdition 106s. Such a fun versatile DD


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[axebiker]

@axe, any time on the Ripstick 88's?

Yes! It was my main ski this season. Super light and QUICK. Fun in bumps, rails groomers. All around great ski!

[ticketchecker]

Yes! It was my main ski this season. Super light and QUICK. Fun in bumps, rails groomers. All around great ski!

They measure similar to the 96 & 106?
Like the 180 is more like a 177+ish?


Sent from the Utility Muffin Research Kitchen

[axebiker]

They measure similar to the 96 & 106?
Like the 180 is more like a 177+ish?


Sent from the Utility Muffin Research Kitchen

Well, I don't have them any more - had a guy take a run with them while I was at Red Lodge, and he bought them on the spot! But from what I recall, yes, they were all a tad shorter than stated. They were the same length as my 96's when leaning against the wall.

[vinnay]

Anyone with time on these who can compare vs. a mantra or DPS (RPC)? The 192 RPC was my daily driver, interested in a mid-90s no new snow ski that is versatile, powerful, energetic like the RPC. Been leaning bonafides (maybe too planky) or mantra m5/m6, but black edition 96 sounds interesting

[kc_7777]

Anyone with time on these who can compare vs. a mantra or DPS (RPC)? The 192 RPC was my daily driver, interested in a mid-90s no new snow ski that is versatile, powerful, energetic like the RPC. Been leaning bonafides (maybe too planky) or mantra m5/m6, but black edition 96 sounds interesting

I bought the 2020 M102 a few months ago, skied them for a month and half and just didn't feel the Volkl love. So I sold the 2020 M102 and bought the 2022 Ripstick Black Edition 96 (almost bought an Enforcer 94). Anyways, I wanted something lighter/easier than an M102, but still with some backbone and stiffness, to complement my Enforcer 104 Frees (which I love) on lower snow days.

I have three days now on the 2022 Black Edition Ripstick 96s. They definitely are stiffer (especially in the tail) than the 2021 Ripstick 106s, which I also own. I've have the 2021 Ripstick 106s with Shifts for sidecountry and like them too. My wife has the 2020 Ripstick 105W.

End result. I’m very very happy with the switch from M102 to Black Edition 96. Worth the $ to make this switch. The BE 96 is a a special ski, and I've been on a lot of skis. I think I will be on the BE 96 a ton. At Whistler, the last three days I didn’t want to be on any other ski. Didn't miss the M102s at all. Conditions ranged from some fluff, to chalky up high, to icy to soft, then deep slush. I skied as fast or faster than when I was on the M102s. With way less effort and thinking. Legs felt great at end of day. I was flying on groomers. The BE96 is awesome in very very steep runs. Saudan was icy with chalk. Jump turns are sublime on the BE96. They’re light. And they bite and hold great. Groomers.... they rip and you can press into your shins, and as you roll then drive the ski, as you go into the turn, the wide tip digs in and pulls you into the turn. Just like the M102 did. Very M102 like on groomers. Except they are lighter. It’s actually weird how light but still solid they are. Whereas the M102 was both heavy and solid. Once your mind tells you the lighter BE will hold like the M102, you can ski it like a M102 on groomers. The tail is stiff.

Note that I mounted my BE96s at +1.5cm (-6.5cm from center). Elan has marks ranging from +3cm to -3cm. I love this. Gives you mount options whether you are a forward mounter like me, or want to go back a bit. My M102s were at -9.0cm and I much prefer the BE96 mount. Though I can feel the BE96 tails in really tight trees, ie versus my Enforcer Free 104, which slarves better with their more upturned tails. Also, my 2021 Ripstick 106s are at -7.7cm with Shifts. They feel great there too.

Basically the BE96 is what I wanted the M102 to be in my quiver. It’s damp, stiff and precise, with just a tiny bit of looseness. Yet nimble/quick without the heavy, planky feeling of the M102. So is the BE96 is a lighter, nimbler M5/M102? I think so. Elan is onto something with the 2022 Black Editions...stiff and damp without using metal, so less weight? Especially the 2022 Black Editions with the 4 carbon rods (instead of only 2 carbon rods in the 2021). This is a ripper ski that you can push hard but is fun. Volkl who?

[ticketchecker]

My battered old knees are going to get along much better with these than the M102's which I thought were awesome but probably more awesome than I am at this stage in the game. Thanks KC

Tempted by the 88's at Corbett's now but our season is running down the access road today...

[vinnay]

Thanks KC, this is a killer comparison, much appreciated. What’s your height/weight? If they can push around spring conditions in whistler on the same level as a Völkl, that’s saying something. I grew up skiing Tahoe/Squaw and always appreciated skis that can charge through manky snow. These sound awesome.

[kc_7777]

Thanks KC, this is a killer comparison, much appreciated. What’s your height/weight? If they can push around spring conditions in whistler on the same level as a Völkl, that’s saying something. I grew up skiing Tahoe/Squaw and always appreciated skis that can charge through manky snow. These sound awesome.

5'7", 165 lbs, ski 60+ days a year, mostly at Whistler and Powder Highway.

We have a ski group at Whistler where everyone skis fast. We're always skiing steeps and sketchy entrances. And no one really waits. Its kind of keep up or F' off. I can't talk about my ski ability but I do ski a lot....but my wife...I can definitely say that she's really good. She just took a Steeps camp and her instructor said she was the best woman skier she had ever had in a camp (nothing in the camp was tough enough or scary for her).

So the best indicator that the Black Edition 96 is fast, was from my wife, who said I was skiing faster than I had all season (actually I think it's my knee finally healing). The Black Edition 96 makes you want to ski faster than normal. Just like the M102. We track our speeds with an app, and can confirm the BE96 is fast. This ski will be my go to ski when the snow is low. Other skis in my quiver are Enforcer 104 Frees, Ripstick 106s (bc ski), Rustler 11s and Menace Proto 118s.

I love Plake's theory of skis, he says that skis should be fun first, but still perform, and there are ways to get enough dampness/stiffness without filling the ski with metal....and that most badass skis are too much for mortals. I know its quite a different take on ski making and most on tgr will still love the M102s, but the Ripsticks click with me.

Just one small caveat.....re "pushing" heavy slush. The Black Edition 96 is stiff like a M5/M102, but it's not heavy like a Mantra. A Mantra will go through slush/mank cause its heavy. The BE 96 will go over it at speed, and is stiff/stable enough to handle it. The only deeper slush I hit was near bottom coming to Base 2 at Blackcomb, where its pretty flat and I was mostly straightlining it. Its performance on ice was epic though. Great hold at high speeds. Volkl Schmolkl.

[kc_7777]

Was looking for the weight of the 2022 96 Black Editions and found this Ski Essentials vid.....they are 1710 gm per ski in 180cm.

I think the Ripstick 96 BE is perfect for those of us wanting a ski between a hard charger mounted at -11 (eg. an M5/M102/Bonafide) and a playful soft ski? The 2022 Black Edition 96 Ripsticks Black Editions, with the added carbon tubes,seem to be in the middle,
closer to the stiffer end, but not crazy stiff, with enough dampness, while still being light and easy to ski.

In the vid....

You can ski these faster and more aggressively than any Ripstick to date. The edge grip and confidence they provide takes what we love about the Ripstick 96 to another level. The shape also gives them such a smooth, intuitive feel when linking turns. It’s partly the Amphibio shape, and it’s partly the smooth early taper/rocker combination in the tip. They initiate a turn incredibly easily. They’re not crazy-stiff, which I think really helps achieve that smooth feel. This is probably a good time to point out that there are definitely stiffer skis out there that feel heavier and more powerful, but those skis can’t touch the playfulness and versatility of these skis. Even Bob, a heavier skier who can ski with a lot of power rarely felt like he was pushing them past their limits.

[Chubb]

5'7", 165 lbs, ski 60+ days a year, mostly at Whistler and Powder Highway.

Was looking for the weight of the 2022 96 Black Editions and found this Ski Essentials vid.....they are 1710 gm per ski in 180cm.

1710 gm is Elan's claimed weight for the new 96 Black Edition but as previous posters have pointed out you can't trust Elan's specs for the Ripstick 96 or 102W or 106. Even the name is a lie and may not be close to the actual waist width.

I just got a pair of the 2022 96 Black Edition skis in 180 cm and one ski weighs 1796 gm and the other 1812 gm on my postal scale. I also measure 176.8 cm with a tape pull and 136.2-94.5-110.3 mm tip-waist-tail measurements (ave of 2 skis) with digital calipers.

[vinnay]

Thanks, have you been out on them yet?

[Climbers Right]

What're thoughts re: sizing for touring on the 96? It looks like they are coming in a bit shorter than listed. I'm wondering if I can get away with downsizing since these things seem to rip around the resort fine so there's no need to have the extra length to compensate for the wet cardboard strength of most ultra light skis. A vipec/raider seems like a solid match for a spring setup to still do some actual skiing