SKI TEST 2021
ELAN RIPSTICK 106 * FREERIDE * EDITORS’ CHOICE *
Best for: A western skier looking for a do-it-all workhorse.
A 106mm waist is at the top end of what we consider an all-mountain width, but the Ripstick encouraged us to keep an open mind. This is a sequel and looks and feels familiar: an asymmetric design with dedicated left and right skis, dramatic sidecut shape and a lightweight build. For 2.0, Elan rounded out the tip and tail to make the ski more playful as well as reduce chatter, and, finally, added a carbon weave over the inside edge toward the front of the ski for solid edge grip. “For such a wide ski it was surprisingly good on the groomers,” noted Jeremy Grasby, echoing sentiments from just about everyone. Testers found they could drift turns or rail right through, charge open bowls and shimmy through the trees. Steve Butcher, who works for Snow Safety at Mount Washington, summed it up well: “It’s a fantastic all-mountain workhorse of a ski.”
LENGTHS: 164, 172, 180, 188
DIMENSIONS: 143/106/120 @ 180
RADIUS: 18 @ 180
OTHER MODELS: 116, 96, 88
SUGGESTED RETAIL: $750
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