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But otherwise, this is one of the most versatile and user-friendly skis I’ve tried. It’s definitely happier in softer conditions than east coast ice and for intermediate skiers, I’d suggest sticking with the regular version over the Black. Usually adding stiffness to a ski makes it heavier and harder to ski, but because Elan used carbon (instead of metal) the Black Edition Ripsticks remain relatively light and easy to ski. The result is a slightly stiffer ski, which translates to better edge hold on hard snow and less shakiness in tracked-up powder. The Black Edition smooths out the performance by adding a bunch of carbon to the construction: twin rods down the edges of each ski, a sheet focused over the inside edge and under the binding, and more in the tip and tail. The only knock on the original was at high speeds and chopped-up conditions, where it got a little unpredictable. Finally, the 96 mm width under the foot is a versatile size for doing a little bit of everything. Plenty of camber underfoot gives the ski a lively feel and helps with edge bite in firmer snow.Īnd like most Elan skis, the Ripsticks are asymmetric - there’s a right and left ski, which puts more ski over the edge, helpful for gripping on groomers and ice. More rocker in the tail again helps with planing and keeps the skis agile, for ditching speed in the steeps or sliding them out just for fun. There’s an early rise in the tip, which makes it easy to get on edge at the start of a turn and helps with float in fresh snow. No matter who I handed these skis to - from a 14-year-old ripper to his groomer-loving weekend warrior dad, a 55-year-old ski instructor to accomplished experts - everyone raved.Įlan borrowed the shape from the original Ripstick 96, a ski I already really liked. This version of the Ripstick will please everyone - a rarity in the world of skiing. Intermediate skiers may prefer the regular version over the Black.Overall these are a fun ski for anyone that sees the ski hill as a playground.īest Overall Ski: Elan Ripstick 96 Black Edition They carve okay, but were much happier in a drifted or skidded turn. They liked to charge and there was enough stiffness to smash through chopped up powder and stomp landings. It wouldn’t feel out of place in the backcountry. It felt nimble and poppy on the feet thanks to a lightweight wood core with carbon rods to add stiffness and rebound. Generous rocker provided a surfy feel, especially in fresh snow. As advertised the Playmaker skied in both directly smoothly and predictably. Testers were impressed with Elan’s deviation from the norm. With twin tips and a fairly symmetrical side cut the Playmaker is more hip hop: a progressive freeride ski meant for twisting, flipping and riding both directions all over the resort and beyond. Elan has traditionally made classic skis: they were conservative and safe, designed for turning and carving. The Playmaker is to Elan as a hip hop record would have been to Pearl Jam - out of character but intriguing. Best New Skis of 2023: Elan Playmaker 101 When the snow has melted I add my own observations to the tester feedback and check out what other ski reviewers are saying. But over the winter I make a point of getting out on every new model for at least a run. The testers record their observations and opinions on comment cards.ĭuring the testing, I’m pretty busy adjusting bindings and chatting sidecut, construction and performance, so I only get to ski a handful of the skis. Over two days we test more than 40 pairs of skis that vary from the widest powder planks to the race-ready bombers. Most of the major ski manufacturers send me the skis they will debut the following winter and I assemble a team of testers, weekend warriors, full-time ski instructors and ski bums to try them out. As technical editor at Ski Canada Magazine, the Great White North’s largest circulation ski publication, I organize a ski test every spring at my local ski hill, Mount Washington Alpine Resort.

Progressive minimalist christmas tree europe