2027 Elan Ripstick 102

The Elan Ripstick 102 gets a facelift for 2027 but returns otherwise unchanged. If you’re looking for a light, energetic ski to handle all sorts of different terrain and snow conditions, the 102 is a good place to be. While it’s not as powerful or stable as some other heftier skis in this range, it’s one of the quickest and easiest to ski. At the same time, Elan’s engineering and focus on carbon adds pop and energy to the mix and makes for an easy, fun, and creative ski experience. This ski blends freeride and all-mountain seamlessly.

Construction-wise, these 102’s are no different from other Ripsticks in that they use a light wood core consisting of poplar and paulownia. Along the sides, we see milled out zones that contain carbon tubes, and below the core we get two unidirectional strips of carbon. The fact that they’re under the core gives more insulation to the ski and reduces chatter. On top of the core in the shovel, the skis use a flax layer to further reduce vibrations. In the 182, the skis sit on the scale at a stated weight of 1720 g/ski which is not a whole lot for a ski this wide, yet somehow Elan makes it feel like a more substantial ski when needed. Tester E.V. Hamilton notes: “Yea great ski, super stable on hard pack for being a more all mountain ski. Maneuverable in the bumps and quiet at speeds. I had a really fun time! I would say it’s great all mountain, I would love to test it in deeper snow with some trees around, but I’d imagine it would ski great. I think the Ripstick ski appeals to a wide variety of skiers at different ages It’s easy to turn and pretty seamless in transition. I think for any shop that’s very appealing.”

At 102, the Ripstick can bounce back and forth between floaty freeride, groomer performance, and off-trail adventure with ease. The asymmetry of the ski in terms of rocker makes it incredibly smooth and predictable throughout. The 182 uses an 18.8-meter turn radius, but really these skis can be manipulated to make any type of turn, even super short skids. We got some good feedback from Colin Wiedersheim: “From the moment you pick it up, it’s incredibly light. That ethos trickles into performance. Quick, agile, and flickable. The Ripstick 102 is a phenomenal tree ski. Anything soft and the 102 will feel at home. A fun and mass appealing ski, the Ripstick 102 is a solid choice for those looking for a tree ski or an easy-going soft snow ski. I understand why I see so many kicking around. Fun to be had for so many skiers.”

We do think that the “many skiers” is a big point here as the 102 is so easy and fun to use in a variety of conditions and terrain. If you’re looking for a first foray into wider skis, this is a great place to be. If you’re accomplished and want light, agile, and mobile, you will find a lot to like in the re-designed 2027 Elan Ripstick 102.