Elan Ripstick Tour 104 Touring Skis 2022 – 2023 | Review - Mpora

Share

Skiing

Elan Ripstick Tour 104 Touring Skis 2022 – 2023 | Review

The mohawk-rocking legend, Glen Plake, puts his name to these high performance touring skis

Why we chose the Elan Ripstick Tour 104: Lightweight, versatile, Glen Plake’s sticks

Lengths (cm): 166, 173, 180 & 187
Sidecut (mm): 128 / 104 / 122
Radius: 23m (180 cm)
Rocker Profile: Rocker-Camber-Rocker
Weight (per ski): 1540g (180cm)

Price: £650

More Info

For over 75 years, Elan has been quietly handcrafting some of the finest skis in the Slovenian Alps. Their goal? Build world-class products that deliver an unparalleled skiing experience. The Elan Ripstick Tour 104 is freeskiing pioneer Glen Plake’s signature touring ski, blending that perfect combination of lightweight uphill touring capability and mind-blowing downhill performance.

“That perfect combination of lightweight uphill touring capability and mind-blowing downhill performance”

Elan took a chance with Glen’s ambition for this ski that strayed slightly from Elan’s usual ski design template. However, the risk definitely paid off and the product is the sick-looking and highly functional Ripstick Tour 104. Glen Plake designed the Ripstick Tour 104 as a ski that can easily access the best terrain in the backcountry and still perform the way you need it to on the way down. 

Elan Ripstick Tour 104 Build

The Ripstick Tour 104 features a ‘TubeLite’ wood core which consists of two lightweight carbon tubes that run for the full length of the ski. These carbon tubes provide torsional stability, and a powerful rebound. It’s a solution we’re surprised many other brands haven’t made use of in lightweight skis before before.

“Glen Plake designed the Ripstick Tour 104 as a ski that can easily access the best terrain in the backcountry”

Elan’s Carbon Bridge Technology features in the build of the ski. It involves a single carbon rod being placed on the upper part of the ski which, again, works to bring more mass out towards the tips and tails. This helps to reduce chatter without adding too much weight to the planks.

Taking a look at the sidewall, Elan has made use of what they call a ‘pyramidal shaped sidewall’ which is positioned across the full perimeter of the ski. It’s essentially not a full vertical sidewall, but one that’s angled slightly to improve impact protection while still upholding good levels of smoothing and high-speed stability.

Ripstick Tour 104 Shaping

The rocker and camber are pressed into designated left and right skis. This means that a cambered inside edge features on each ski (that are both marked left or right) to ensure precision, strong edge grip and stability at speed. A rockered outside edge then does the opposite by providing forgiveness, turning ease and smooth transitions.

The ‘Amphibio Profile’ essentially delivers grip where you need it  and manoeuvrability where you want it, making tight spaces and variable snow that bit easier to navigate.

A tip width of 128 mm tapers into a waist width of 104 mm underfoot which then leads on to a 122mm tail. This shape creates a sidecut radius of 23 metres for the 180 cm length. This radius is ideal for stability at speed while providing a predictable turn in variable snow. Having a shape that can deliver a beautiful carve in the backcountry is what Glen has strived for, and he has certainly succeeded with the Ripstick Tour 104. 

Who is The Ripstick Tour 104 For?

The Ripstick Tour 104 is well suited for backcountry and touring. There is enough width underfoot to keep you above the freshies and slush in the springtime, but not too much ski to manage when the conditions are sub par. The lightweight design is perfect for big days touring and will help to keep you charging until the last lap. For anyone looking for a functional touring ski with impeccable performance and style, stop the search now. 

What Is The Elan Ripstick Tour 104 Good At?

Touring: 9/10

Performance: 8/10

Versatility: 8/10

Topics:

Elan Skis Ski 100 2022/23 Touring Skis
Newsletter Terms & Conditions

Please enter your email so we can keep you updated with news, features and the latest offers. If you are not interested you can unsubscribe at any time. We will never sell your data and you'll only get messages from us and our partners whose products and services we think you'll enjoy.

Read our full Privacy Policy as well as Terms & Conditions.

production