Elan Ripstick 88 W Skis 2027 // Women's

There are skis that impress you during a test day.

Then there are skis that consistently make skiers better.

The Ripstick 88 W falls firmly into the second category.

Year after year, it remains one of the easiest skis for us to recommend because it works for such a wide range of skiers. Whether you're progressing through your intermediate years, looking for a confidence-building all-mountain ski, or simply want something that's fun and easy to ski, the Ripstick 88 W continues to deliver.

For the latest version, Elan made subtle changes rather than reinventing the wheel.

Good call.

The Ripstick 88 W was already one of the best skis in the category, and Elan focused on refining what made it great. Adjustments to the rocker profile and carbon construction resulted in a ski that feels stronger, more composed at speed, and more confident on firm snow without sacrificing the easy-going personality that made it so popular in the first place.

That's the impressive part.

A lot of skis get stronger by becoming more demanding.

The Ripstick 88 W got stronger while somehow becoming even smoother.

Compared to competitors like the Blizzard Black Pearl 88 or Nordica Santa Ana 87 and 92, the Ripstick still feels lighter on its feet and easier to ski. The Black Pearl and Santa Ana families utilize metal construction and ultimately offer a bit more raw power and top-end stability, but they also require more input from the skier.

The Ripstick takes a different approach.

It makes skiing feel effortless.

Turn initiation happens almost automatically. Releasing the tails is easy. Short turns, medium turns, skidded turns, carved turns—the ski never feels locked into one style. Instead, it responds immediately and predictably to whatever you're asking it to do.

That's one of the reasons so many skiers connect with this ski.

The word we hear most often is confidence.

The word we'd use is compliant.

The Ripstick doesn't fight you. It works with you.

Its lightweight construction plays a huge role here. Starting with a poplar and paulownia wood core, Elan uses carbon rods and unidirectional carbon reinforcement to create energy and edge grip without adding unnecessary weight. Flax reinforcement in the shovel helps reduce vibration and improve snow contact while maintaining the ski's lively feel.

The end result is a ski that feels smooth, predictable, and energetic all at once.

At 88 mm underfoot, this is one of the most practical widths in skiing. Narrow enough to feel quick and precise on groomers, yet wide enough to handle bumps, mixed conditions, and the occasional soft-snow adventure.

The Amphibio profile deserves a lot of credit as well.

By utilizing dedicated left and right skis with rocker on the outside edge and camber on the inside edge, the Ripstick feels incredibly intuitive. Turn initiation is smooth and hook-free, while edge engagement feels natural and predictable. It's one of those technologies that you stop noticing after a few runs because it simply works.

Perhaps our favorite thing about the Ripstick 88 W is how universally loved it is.

Beginners appreciate how approachable it feels.

Intermediates love how much confidence it builds.

Advanced skiers enjoy how easy and fun it is to ski.

And even expert skiers often find themselves smiling because the ski simply makes skiing less work.

That's a difficult balance to achieve.