2026 Elan Ripstick 96 Black Edition Skis with Salomon Strive 14 GW Bindings
The Elan Ripstick 96 Black Edition with Salomon Strive 14 GW Bindings builds upon the success of its predecessor with refined design elements and advanced technologies. While the standard Ripstick 96 excels in moguls, crud, and powder, the 96 Black Edition offers enhanced stability in chopped-up, variable snow at higher speeds, ensuring a more controlled descent down the fall line.
Why we like it:
The Ripstick 96 Black Edition achieves a unique balance of lightweight design and robust performance, making it a standout in the all-mountain freeride category.
Who it's for:
Advanced to expert skiers will benefit most from the added carbon rods and laminates, as these features enhance the ski’s performance and stability.
Highlights:
The Carbon Frame of the 96 Black incorporates Carbon Deck, Quadrod, and C-Ply technologies to boost power, edge grip, and stability, delivering top-tier performance at high speeds and in challenging terrain. The Black Edition’s Quadrod reinforcement, featuring two additional carbon rods in the fore and aft sections, provides enhanced stability and rebound while maintaining a lighter weight. C-Ply laminates underfoot improve grip and stability, particularly beneficial at higher speeds and in variable snow conditions. The Amphibio Rocker in the tips ensures smooth transitions from edge to edge on both groomed and soft snow surfaces. The Strive 14 GW, with its lightweight build and low-profile chassis, delivers a smooth and responsive ride all day long. It remains nimble in deep snow and light on your feet as the day progresses. The LDN Toe Pieces offer a low stand height, optimizing power transfer and improving the connection to your skis. The Automatic Toe Adaption feature effortlessly adjusts to GripWalk boots without the need for manual adjustments. Additionally, the Snow Scrapers on the toe pieces effectively remove snow and ice, ensuring a secure fit that enhances both safety and performance for direct power transmission
Things to consider:
Despite the increased carbon content, heavier and more aggressive skiers may still find the Ripstick 96 Black Edition somewhat supple compared to other skis in the mid-90 mm underfoot all-mountain category. Lighter skiers generally benefit more from the additional carbon features.
Fit & sizing considerations:
The Ripstick 96 Black Edition skis true to size.
The Elan Ripstick 96 Black Edition with Salomon Strive 14 GW Bindings builds upon the success of its predecessor with refined design elements and advanced technologies. While the standard Ripstick 96 excels in moguls, crud, and powder, the 96 Black Edition offers enhanced stability in chopped-up, variable snow at higher speeds, ensuring a more controlled descent down the fall line.
Why we like it:
The Ripstick 96 Black Edition achieves a unique balance of lightweight design and robust performance, making it a standout in the all-mountain freeride category.
Who it's for:
Advanced to expert skiers will benefit most from the added carbon rods and laminates, as these features enhance the ski’s performance and stability.
Highlights:
The Carbon Frame of the 96 Black incorporates Carbon Deck, Quadrod, and C-Ply technologies to boost power, edge grip, and stability, delivering top-tier performance at high speeds and in challenging terrain. The Black Edition’s Quadrod reinforcement, featuring two additional carbon rods in the fore and aft sections, provides enhanced stability and rebound while maintaining a lighter weight. C-Ply laminates underfoot improve grip and stability, particularly beneficial at higher speeds and in variable snow conditions. The Amphibio Rocker in the tips ensures smooth transitions from edge to edge on both groomed and soft snow surfaces. The Strive 14 GW, with its lightweight build and low-profile chassis, delivers a smooth and responsive ride all day long. It remains nimble in deep snow and light on your feet as the day progresses. The LDN Toe Pieces offer a low stand height, optimizing power transfer and improving the connection to your skis. The Automatic Toe Adaption feature effortlessly adjusts to GripWalk boots without the need for manual adjustments. Additionally, the Snow Scrapers on the toe pieces effectively remove snow and ice, ensuring a secure fit that enhances both safety and performance for direct power transmission
Things to consider:
Despite the increased carbon content, heavier and more aggressive skiers may still find the Ripstick 96 Black Edition somewhat supple compared to other skis in the mid-90 mm underfoot all-mountain category. Lighter skiers generally benefit more from the additional carbon features.
Fit & sizing considerations:
The Ripstick 96 Black Edition skis true to size.
Description
The Elan Ripstick 96 Black Edition with Salomon Strive 14 GW Bindings builds upon the success of its predecessor with refined design elements and advanced technologies. While the standard Ripstick 96 excels in moguls, crud, and powder, the 96 Black Edition offers enhanced stability in chopped-up, variable snow at higher speeds, ensuring a more controlled descent down the fall line.
Why we like it:
The Ripstick 96 Black Edition achieves a unique balance of lightweight design and robust performance, making it a standout in the all-mountain freeride category.
Who it's for:
Advanced to expert skiers will benefit most from the added carbon rods and laminates, as these features enhance the ski’s performance and stability.
Highlights:
The Carbon Frame of the 96 Black incorporates Carbon Deck, Quadrod, and C-Ply technologies to boost power, edge grip, and stability, delivering top-tier performance at high speeds and in challenging terrain. The Black Edition’s Quadrod reinforcement, featuring two additional carbon rods in the fore and aft sections, provides enhanced stability and rebound while maintaining a lighter weight. C-Ply laminates underfoot improve grip and stability, particularly beneficial at higher speeds and in variable snow conditions. The Amphibio Rocker in the tips ensures smooth transitions from edge to edge on both groomed and soft snow surfaces. The Strive 14 GW, with its lightweight build and low-profile chassis, delivers a smooth and responsive ride all day long. It remains nimble in deep snow and light on your feet as the day progresses. The LDN Toe Pieces offer a low stand height, optimizing power transfer and improving the connection to your skis. The Automatic Toe Adaption feature effortlessly adjusts to GripWalk boots without the need for manual adjustments. Additionally, the Snow Scrapers on the toe pieces effectively remove snow and ice, ensuring a secure fit that enhances both safety and performance for direct power transmission
Things to consider:
Despite the increased carbon content, heavier and more aggressive skiers may still find the Ripstick 96 Black Edition somewhat supple compared to other skis in the mid-90 mm underfoot all-mountain category. Lighter skiers generally benefit more from the additional carbon features.
Fit & sizing considerations:
The Ripstick 96 Black Edition skis true to size.
