Elan Ripstick 102 Black Edition Skis 2026

The Elan Ripstick 102 Black Edition shares a ton of characteristics with its more narrow sibling (Ripstick 96 Black Edition) but it's better off-piste and in softer snow. The Ripstick 96 Black Edition is our top-tested ski -- has been for a while. The 102 Black Edition offers to open up more adventurous terrain and is better suited for skiers who spend time in softer, deeper snow or spend more time off trail. The 102 Black Edition is strong on a groomer, arcs a serious turn for a "wider" ski, and can confidently hold an edge. So if the soft snow is tough to find, or you want to rip groomers while you wait for conditions to soften up a bit the 102 Black can handle it. However, this ski comes to life in technical terrain, wide open bowls with fresh snow, or bombing down tree runs. Similar to the more narrow 96 Black the 102 Black is not a difficult ski to handle for less experienced skiers and it can be skied aggressively by more experienced skiers who like to get after it. The generous rocker profile makes turn initiation smooth and allows for easy pivoting through tighter terrain. Compared to the older Ripstick 106 the more narrow 102 is less cumbersome and feels more stable through chopped up terrain or crud. This is a new ski in Elan's Ripstick collection and a welcome addition to the family. It is more of a "freeride" ski compared to the more narrow Ripsticks but it is no slouch when it comes to lapping groomers. If you're a skier looking for a ski that can take you from coast to coast or you're looking for a ski that is well suited to daily conditions out West this should be on your radar.