MEN’S FAT SKI OF THE YEAR – ELAN RIPSTICK 106
Where do we start with this ski? If you pick it up off the rack and flex it, you would likely walk away in disgust! It bends and flexes like Zlata (world’s bendiest woman, fact fans!) which is utterly ridiculous for a freeride ski – right? Wrong. This thing damn well rocks. And then some.
How the heck Elan have created this monsterly brilliant fat freeride ski out of a wiggly softie makes zero sense until you start digging a little more into the tech. The Ripstick 106 uses Elan’s asymmetrical Amphibio profile that places more structural material over the inside edge to provide more stability and power in the turn. With less material on the outside edge, the result is smooth and easy turns initiations. All. Day. Long.
The combined result of the full tubelite woodcore, pair of full-length carbon tubes and a carbon binding mounting plate gives the Ripstick 106 its light, flexy longitudinal softness and powerful rebound. Stick the rip dial full on, get this thing on an edge and it grips like a barnacle on a boat hull. The bendy nature of the ski also acts like a big suspension unit, soaking up undulations in the snow like you’re on a magic carpet. It is just so much fun, super smooth and floats like a butterfly off piste.
Ever the humble tester, Lee reckons “if it’s good enough for Glen Plake, it’s good enough for me!” Also in 88, 96 and 116.
TO READ MORE ABOUT THE RIPSTICK 106 AND ALL THE OTHER NEW SKIS FOR 2020, SUBSCRIBE TO OUR GEAR GUIDE, OUT IN OCTOBER!
STATS
RRP: £575
Lengths: 167, 174, 181, 188
Radius: 18.1m @ 181
Dimensions: 140-106-122
Weight per pair:3660g @ 181
More Info: ELAN
MORE SKIS OF THE YEAR:
2020 MEN’S FREERIDE SKI OF THE YEAR – NORDICA ENFORCER FREE 104