2025 Elan Ripstick 100 W

Elan bursts onto the 2025 scene with an updated Ripstick line and for longtime fans of one of the most highly recommended skis, the changes made have not only enhanced performance but increased the level of responsiveness and degree of power. This is great news for advanced level skiers who seek a blend of energy, stability and poise across the board. Introducing the Ripstick 100 W, the previous 102 drops 2 mm to invite a slightly more versatile version with enhanced mixed-snow performance. For a wider-bodied all-mountain ski, it not only holds an edge like a boss, it's also light enough to be maneuverable and agile in softer snow. Oozing tons of energy and pop, Elan carries forward the majority of the construction attributes while introducing new technology to further enhance the overall flex pattern and character. Elan has proven its place in the industry, especially with this line of skis, only to show that they can make an already phenomenal ski even better.

A major reason for why the Ripstick has been held with such regard is the high-performance build. Elan takes a very unique approach here and while they borrow the framework from the previous model, they boost the characteristics through the introduction of “Carbon Deck Technology”. In addition to the tubelite wood core, which consists of poplar and paulownia, the use of carbon rods is adjusted slightly by shortening them in order to make room for uni-directional carbon strips that go a long way in dampening the feel from tip to tail. The signature Ripstick performance is a direct result of not only the amount of carbon but the specific placement of it as well. With additional carbon strips running along the sides under the core, they mirror the Amphibio profile lines, with longer strips on the inside edge for extra edge grip and stability and shorter strips on the outside edge. This is what gives the ski such an intuitive feel, allowing the skier to drive the downhill ski with impeccable force and allow for more forgiveness in the uphill ski. We also see a change in the tips, moving away from vapor tip inserts to full wood all the way through the shovel. This provides the same level of dampness with more stiffness to increase the response time when it comes time to initiate a turn. Lastly, Elan adds a flax fiber layer on top of the shovel to add more consistency and dampness.

Dialing back the waist width by 2 mm, it certainly isn’t a significant change and hardly noticeable, but invites slightly more versatility as far as on-piste performance. As for the rest of the measurements, the 100 mm waist width is bookended by 134 mm tip and 114 mm tail in the 168 cm length. With slightly narrower tips than before, the goal here was to achieve more stability and mixed-snow performance while maintaining effortless flotation. We also see a slight tweak in the tail shape, with a slightly wider width to finish turns with greater power and precision. Generating a 16.8-meter turn radius allows the Ripstick 100 W to make longer arcing turns, which is ideal for a wider-bodied ski. However, the beauty of this ski is between the build and shape, there is an ample amount of versatility, with quickness underfoot and the ability to hop from edge to edge with great energy. According to Louise Lintilhac “this ski really enjoys holding a turn and performs well on front side groomer laps or in a bit of soft chop and crud. They are a bit sluggish edge to edge and do best in medium or large radius turn at higher speeds.” This is great feedback as it highlights its power and dampness while narrowing down its strengths.

The Elan Ripstick is one of the most rewarding skis out there, and with the 2025 enhancements, things only just got better. The Ripstick 100 W sits squarely in the middle of the lineup, offering versatile all-mountain performance with incredible energy, precision, and stability. Between the amphibio profile, application of carbon, and sophisticated build, advanced level skiers looking for a one ski to do it all will find this ski checks all the boxes plus more.