Elan Ripstick 96 Black Edition Skis 2027

The Ripstick 96 Black Edition has been sitting on top of the all-mountain category for a few seasons now.

What's impressive isn't that it got there. What's impressive is that despite manufacturers throwing everything they've got at this category, it still hasn't been knocked off the throne.

That's saying something.

The 90-100 mm all-mountain category is arguably the most competitive segment in skiing. There are dozens of great options. It's genuinely hard to find a bad ski these days. Yet every year when our staff finishes testing, the Ripstick 96 Black somehow finds its way back onto almost everyone's favorites list.

You'd think we'd get bored of it by now.

We don't.

The reason is simple: it does almost everything exceptionally well and rarely feels out of place.

The current generation Ripstick 96 Black received one of the most significant updates in the ski's history. A revised rocker profile improved turn initiation and maneuverability. A stronger core added stability and support. New tip and tail shaping improved grip and composure. And Elan's updated carbon construction elevated the ski's performance without sacrificing any of the accessibility that made the Ripstick famous in the first place.

The magic of the Ripstick 96 Black has always been its ability to punch well above its weight class.

Most skis that grip this well on hard snow are heavier, more demanding, and require more effort to ski. The Ripstick 96 Black manages to deliver outstanding edge hold, excellent stability, and tremendous energy while still feeling remarkably light on your feet.

A lot of that comes from Elan's Carbon Deck Technology and Quad Rod construction. Compared to the standard Ripstick 96, the Black Edition doubles the number of carbon rods from two to four. Those additional rods add torsional strength, improve edge hold, increase stability, and create a ski that feels significantly more composed when speeds increase.

The result is a ski that loves to carve.

In fact, one of the things we've always loved about the Ripstick 96 Black is how absurdly well it carves for a 96 mm ski. Most skis this wide can carve. The Ripstick 96 Black genuinely encourages it. Roll it on edge and it feels locked in, energetic, and eager to finish turns.

At the same time, it never forgets it's a Ripstick.

Tight trees remain easy. Bumps are approachable. Variable snow doesn't knock it around. Powder days are fun. The ski pivots quickly, feels balanced underfoot, and never demands race-level precision from the skier.

Compared to the standard Ripstick 96, the Black Edition is aimed squarely at stronger, more aggressive skiers. The Green version remains one of the best confidence-building skis on the market. It's lighter on its feet, easier to balance, and slightly more forgiving. The Black Edition takes the same shape and personality but adds more grip, more energy, more stability, and a higher performance ceiling.

The arrival of the Ripstick 88 Black Edition also helps define where the 96 Black sits in the lineup.

If the Ripstick 88 Black Edition is the choice for skiers who spend most of their time on groomers and firm snow, the Ripstick 96 Black Edition is the more versatile sibling. You still get the outstanding carving performance, stability, and dampness that define the Black Edition family, but with a wider platform that's more comfortable in soft snow, chopped-up conditions, and off-trail terrain.

For many skiers, the 88 Black is the better hard snow tool.

For many skiers, the 96 Black is the better one-ski quiver.

That's what makes it so impressive.

It's powerful without being punishing.

Stable without being heavy.

Precise without being demanding.

Playful without feeling loose.

Most skis excel in one or two areas. The Ripstick 96 Black excels almost everywhere.

That's why it continues to land on our Top Tested lists year after year. That's why it continues to be one of the easiest skis for our staff to recommend.

And that's why, despite all the competition, it's still the benchmark.