Elan Ripstick 106 2021 Review

**Conundrum** · 03-30-2021, 03:42 PM

A friend of mine picked up the '22 106 Black Editions and he was skiing really well on them the other day. He bought Vantage 97s at the beginning of the season. Said he had about five days on the 106s and switched back to the 97s for a few runs. Said he felt like he forgot how to ski and had to really focus on turning. He really liked the Vantages early season. I'm interested in the 106 a lot after talking to him.

**Chubb** · 04-01-2021, 10:32 AM

I haven't mounted my 2022 Ripstick 96 BE 180cm skis yet. I demoed both the 188cm and 180cm lengths a month ago. At 6' and 210 lbs I expected to prefer the longer length but was surprised to like the 180cm better. But I'm a fat old guy and not very powerful or aggressive. I didn't get to try them in deep powder but did ski them in 6" of medium density cut up snow in steep trees and found the shorter length quick turning yet stable, similar to axebiker's comments about 180cm vs 188cm in post #7

I read in SkiTalk post that a reviewer liked the previous 2020 96 BE 181cm best with demo bindings at -1.5 cm since he thought they were a little twitchy at the 0 line on groomers. So I skied the 188cm and 180cm 2022 96 BE with demo bindings both at the center mark and at -1.5cm, for around an hour each. My last combination was 180cm at -1.5cm which I liked best but that could have been from being better adapted to the new skis over time. I didn't notice much difference when I initially changed from 0 to -1.5cm. I'm still not sure where I will mount my new skis. Probably at 0 and not the +1.5 which kc_7777 used in post #68.

**kc_7777** · 04-01-2021, 03:37 PM

I have a short bsl (287mm) and like forward mounts so take that into account.

I’m at -6.5cm (+1.5cm). Going -1.5cm on the 180 will put you at -9.5cm. Still reasonable. And the fact you skied it there, and liked it, I think you’ll be good.

Elan put mount lines from +3cm to -3cm for a reason....so I’m thinking we’re both good at either +1.5cm to -1.5cm....as we’re well within their recommended range.

**hiplainsdrifter** · 04-04-2021, 01:20 PM

For those that haven't fondled both, the standard 96 and 106 have quite different flex patterns. The 96 has a pretty round and soft flex, whereas the 106 is definitely not planky but certainly a stiffer flex especially in the forebody. Does anyone know if this also translates to the 96BE vs 106BE?

**axebiker** · 04-05-2021, 03:46 PM

Originally Posted by hiplainsdrifter

For those that haven't fondled both, the standard 96 and 106 have quite different flex patterns. The 96 has a pretty round and soft flex, whereas the 106 is definitely not planky but certainly a stiffer flex especially in the forebody. Does anyone know if this also translates to the 96BE vs 106BE?

It was kinda that way with the 2019-2020 Ripsticks too. I haven't skied the 20-21 106, but spent a lot of time on the 20-21 88 and 96, and they had a somewhat progressively "stronger" flex as well. Considering the construction is essentially the same other than the "Quad Rod", I would imagine that the 106 will have a stronger flex in the BE series as well.

**powpig** · 04-07-2021, 12:18 PM

I picked up a test pair of the RS 106 181 here from thatdkid a few years back and have been a fan ever since.
A couple months ago I gotta pair of the 2020 BE to replace 'em and was gonna mount the old pair with Shifts for the few days I get out in the BC but with our crappy snow year I never gotta round to it, will have to wait for next year.

I love the light weight of these things and will only add that I've been dreaming about a RS 111 version for BC use.

**plugboots** · 04-07-2021, 09:38 PM

These are on my list. I just demoed the Kastle ZX108 and the Salomon QST 106. Anybody ridden either of these to compare to the Ripstick 106?
I really liked the Solomon’s ftr. Also where to try the Elans in the West?

**kc_7777** · 04-09-2021, 04:04 PM

Just added the 4th pair of Ripsticks to the family.

For my 10 year old daughter for next ski season (damn you Corbetts). These were $349CDN ....they came with brand new 2021 Attack 11s which I can hopefully sell for a few bucks next fall. As she has other bindings. So maybe $225CDN net? These are pretty high-end kid’s skis.

Specs:

148cm Elan Ripstick 86TW
121-86-110
13m radius

Love how they even have different mount options even on kids skis....