2027 Elan Ripstick 94 W Black Edition

With a slight tweak to the graphics for 2027, the Elan Ripstick 94 W Black Edition returns otherwise unchanged. For the more advanced level skier who values the overall characteristics of the standard Ripstick 94 but seeks a higher performance ceiling and degree of power, the Black Edition is the perfect all-mountain tool for anything from firm groomers to soft bumps. With such a successful recipe, why not take it to the next level for the more aggressive skiers? With a slightly stiffer flex, more horsepower and greater capability of holding up to the demands, this Black Edition rendition is sure to draw in a large crowd. It has a great snow feel to it and makes for easy skiing while retaining a high-performance and high-quality feel. Somehow Elan packs a punch with such a light weight, and that's the most impressive part of these skis.

Elan uses the full extent of the engineering department to come up with these skis. Ripstick Black Edition takes a sophisticated build and adds another level. With a thin profile overall, we get a full wood core that extends through the shovel adding flax on the top for damping. What we see here is the amenable behavior of the forebody, with great flexibility in the tip for easier turn initiation. Underneath the core, Elan uses two unidirectional strips of carbon to balance both dampness and responsiveness. On top of the core, we get a full carbon plate under the binding zone for added stability and power. We see the use of Quad Rod technology, which incorporates two additional carbon rods to the normal carbon tubes that run alongside the sidewalls. What is unique and beneficial about the use and placement of the additional rods is their alignment to the forebody and aft of the ski without being fully connected. This is what makes the Black Edition stand out as it delivers a greater level of stability and pop than the regular Ripstick. Emily Sampson notes, " I went in completely blind to this ski and was delightfully impressed. The ski had great torsional stability. I skied through big clumps of frozen granular and this ski didn’t bat an eye, just bulldozed on through. It also skied a little skinner than 94. The ski transitioned smoothly from edge to edge, which made it very fun. It was not super playful and when I attempted some smaller turns, it was a little more effortful. If you prefer a short turn, perhaps would size down because I felt all the centimeters. That said, this would make a great ski if you’re skiing through crud and variable snow."

Elan keeps the finesse going with the footprint of the ski as well. The shape and profile of the ski greatly add to the cohesiveness and smoothness. We also see a tight turn radius, which combined with the new use of carbon we’re getting quite the lively personality. The 16.2-meter turn radius in the 170 cm length drops down to a 15.8 in the 168 cm length. The Amphibio profile continues, putting more rocker on the outside edge and more camber on the inside edge, resulting in an intuitive, smooth feel in a variety of conditions and terrain. Highly versatile and predictable, these skis deliver the highest level of performance in tight trees and bumps, as well as firm groomers. Sampson continues, stating that an " Advanced/expert would be best for the ski as it requires the ability to tip it and drive the tip. At one point I got back, and it was not very responsive."

We find skis in the mid-90's to be highly useful and effective in an all-mountain format. Elan is able to bring in a lot of different skiers through the use of asymmetry and innovation. With an incredible degree of power and responsiveness, the 2027 Elan Ripstick 94 W Black Edition provides those with a preference for precision and strength as the ultimate tool for all-mountain performance. While progressing intermediates can certainly hop on this ski and access the benefits, aggressive skiers who want a lighter ski with plenty of power and energy can drive it with force. These skis are crisp, fun, and incredibly electric, taking full advantage of the use of carbon to create a unique character and performance level. If you want a light and agile ski that punches above its level, the Ripstick Black Edition is a fantastic place to be.