From planning to manufacturing in-house, elan has always been on the cutting edge of the industry using the latest technology and ideas.
A freeride model RIP STICK (lipstick) released by a manufacturer that has produced numerous achievements in the race and jump scene. What is the background that combines high running performance while being easy to handle? We approach the secret of performance.
'22-23 latest model introduction is here
elan ski making always on the cutting edge
About 75 years since it was born in Slovenia in 1945.
At his factory at the foot of the Alps, craftsmen handcraft each board. It is a well-known story that Ingemar Stenmark, who is said to have been most active in alpine skiing, continued to reign as absolute champion from his unknown days, and wore elan all the time until his retirement. .
With his technical strength and the latest technology backed by his many years of experience, he has been loved by many athletes who are active in alpine, ski jumping, and ski cross.
First, let's take a look at the video that proves elan's high technical capabilities.
They have developed a foldable portable ski.
It can be carried on an airplane and even fits in the trunk of a sedan. It has been appearing in front of the media for several years, but it will actually be sold in the 22nd season.
It is planned to enter several units in Japan. In this way, we have been ahead of the times by making the most of our high technological capabilities.
Now, elan is confidently launching the RIPSTICK, a freeride model.
Freeride model What is RIPSTICK?
In a nutshell, RIPSTICK is "a single board that you can enjoy skiing anywhere" .
The development model is men's, center width 88, 96, 106, 116mm. Women's 88mm, 94mm, 102mm. Furthermore, it is a special model "BLACK EDITION" that appeared this season. with We have developed a unique shape called Amphibio, and partially use camber and rocker. The tail is directional. Carbon is placed at key points with a slightly softer flex. It enables easy turns and has excellent power transmission and strength. The lightened wide nose makes it easier to introduce turns and increases buoyancy even in powder.
You can enjoy sharp turns on the slopes, and you can run through powder and uneven terrain. It's lightweight, so it's great for touring. That is the outline of RIPSTICK.
In a sense, it's an ideal form because you can enjoy skiing in all conditions if you put it in a single car.
I would like to see the details of the technology installed in RIPSTICK.
The following four main technologies
●Amphibio
●Carbon Line Technology
●Vapor Tip Insert
●Carbon Rod
Amphibio
Carbon Line Technology
Introduced in 2013, Elan's representative technology, Amphibio with asymmetrical structure. This is rocker on the outside of the board and camber on the inside. The camber on the thumb side of the outer ski, which requires the most weight when turning, creates high grip. On the little finger side of the inner ski, the operability of the board is improved due to the characteristics of the rocker. Even at high speed, the soles of the feet accurately grasp the snow surface, enabling smooth carving.
And it is carbon line technology that works as a synergistic effect with the amphibio structure. This is a carbon mesh fabric built into the inside of the board from the foot to the top of the ski. As the strength of the board increases, a moderate amount of repulsion is created, and the more you step on it, the more repulsion is created in the board, allowing you to make sharp turns. At high speeds, vibrations caused by impacts are also suppressed, enabling stable skiing.
These technologies allow advanced players to make sharper turns, and provide stable operability for beginners. RIPSTICK is a board that is easy to handle for users of all directions.
vapor tip insert
The Vapor tip embedded in the nose works well with the Carbon Line technology. Instead of stiffening the feet with carbon, the overall balance is improved by making the nose lighter. By substituting a lightweight, soft, and viscous Vapor Tip instead of the core material in the nose top, the swing weight is reduced and the effect of flotation is demonstrated.
The effect of reducing the weight of the nose is greatly demonstrated in powder. The nose with increased buoyancy makes it easier to turn in the snow, and the camber makes it possible to step on and turn. In addition to the feeling of floating on fresh snow like a rocker, it is also possible to step on the snow and slide.
carbon rod
Carbon rods with a diameter of 5 mm are included from both sides of the board, from the nose to the tail.
This strengthens the edge and increases torsional strength, enabling powerful and stable carving not only in the first half of the turn but also in the second half and beyond. With carbon line technology and further strengthening of the inner edge, carving is possible even with a fat ski with a center of 116mm.
Lineup of RIPSTICK
mens model
(from right)
RIPSTICK 88
77,000 yen L=148 (13.8m), 156 (13.7m), 164 (14.2m), 172 (15.4m), 180 (17.0m), 188 (18.9m)｜130-88-105｜ 1550g (180)
basic, for experienced alpine skiers. Or for female skiers.
RIPSTICK 96 83,600
yen L = 164 (15.1m), 172 (16.2m), 180 (18.0m), 188 (19.5m) | 136-96-108
| If you want to ride all mountain, this one
RIPSTICK 106 94,600
yen L=164(16.0m), 172(17.0m), 180(18.1m), 188(20.4m)｜143-106-120｜1830g(180
) For people who often go on slopes
RIPSTICK 116 99,000
Yen L=177(19.4m), 185(20.4m), 193(23.3m)｜146-116-132｜1900g(185)
If you want to enjoy long turns on the slopes and feel good on the powder, use this. one bottle
Women's model
(From right)
RIPSTICK 88 W 75,900
yen L=146 (13.0m), 154 (13.7m), 162 (14.2m), 170 (15.4m), 178 (17.0m)｜130-88-105｜1445g (170)
Freeride ski beginners start with this size.
RIPSTICK 94 W 82,500
yen L = 154 (14.0m), 162 (15.0m), 170 (16.2m), 178 (18.0m) | 136-94-110 | 1570g (170)
All-mountain model. You can enjoy it even on powdery days.
RIPSTICK 102 W 93,500
yen L = 154 (15.0m), 162 (15.8m), 170 (17.0m), 178 (18.1m) | 143-102-120 | 1750g (170)
Model suitable for . Great for gliding on rough terrain
And this season, a special model RIPSTICK BLACK EDITION that further improves the running performance of
RIPSTICK has appeared.
What is RIPSTICK BLACK EDITION?
The BLACK EDITION uses even more carbon.
The carbon used in the carbon line technology is incorporated from the foot to the top in the regular model, but in the black edition it is incorporated from the tail to the nose. What's more, the feet are covered not only inside but also outside. The carbon rods that ran through the sides have also been added to the front and back of the center of the board. This makes it even more torsional-strength, allowing the board to grip the snow surface, absorbs shock even on bumpy slopes, and enables stable skiing.
There are two sizes, center width 96 and 106.
With these, you should be able to get even more running performance.
(From right)
RIPSTICK 96 BLACK EDITION 132,000
yen L=164(15.1m), 172(13.6m), 180(18.0m), 188(19.5m)｜136-96-110｜1710g(180)
hard One that runs strong even in conditions. You can even slide on hard slopes like ice.
RIPSTICK 106 BLACKEDITION
143,000 yen L = 164 (16.0m), 172 (17.0m), 180 (18.1m), 188 (20.4m) | 143-106-120 | 1900g (180)
brand freeride flagship model . If you want to run through all slopes at high speed, this is the one.
Impression of two people using RIPSTICK
Review_1 Naoto Kohno
Spends his days immersed in skiing and snowboarding while working at his family's inn in Nozawa Onsen and a rental shop.
He had the opportunity to test ride RIPSTICK two years ago, and he likes it and continues to wear it. The brothers are Kenji Kono, a former member of Japan's ski cross team, and Katsuyuki Kono, a professional skier. Height: 173cm Weight: 70kg
Model: RIPSTICK 116 (185) (Recommended by the binding manufacturer)
■ Impression of hardness (1 = soft ⇔ 5 = hard)
Nose: 2.5/5
Center: 4/5
Tail: 3/5
■ Recommendations for each situation (1 = unsuitable ⇔ 5 = best)
Powder: 5 / Grooming: 4 / Hard pack: 3 / Park: 1 / Bump: 1 / Tour: 4
First, the skis are extremely light.
I was surprised at the lightness not found in conventional fat skis. Recently, the number of lightweight models of ski boots has increased, and I also like to wear them, but even such light boots can be worn without getting sluggish.
also like that
RIPSTICK is emphasis on camber The backlash of the board in powder and the release of the tail in the latter half of the turn are very good, which cannot be experienced with a full rocker. The camber is solid underfoot and the nose is soft, so the nose floats even when stepping in powder. Flex is a little soft. As a result, you can step into the turn without force from the first half, and you can easily feel the response under your feet.
I use 116mm, but since it is partially cambered at my feet, the effective edge is long and I can make carving turns without feeling fat. Thanks to the Amphibio structure with camber on the inside and rocker on the outside, I can feel the early grip of the inside edge especially in the first half of the turn. Since the tail is flat, it grips the latter half of the turn, and it is very good to get through the board. I got a really nice long tar.
I was able to ski comfortably everywhere, but I personally recommend the soft grooming barn and the crisp spring snow.
Review_2 Daigo Onozuka
Belongs to the STEEP editorial department.
He has been skiing since he was 2 years old and has been skiing for nearly 30 years. After alpine skiing, he entered the world of freeskiing. Like Kono, he test-drove a RIPSTICK for work, and he fell in love with it and bought it. Height 160cm Weight 60kg
Model used: RIPSTICK 106 (164) (Binding position manufacturer recommended)
■ Impression of hardness (1 = soft ⇔ 5 = hard)
Nose: 2/5
Center: 4/5
Tail: 3/5
■ Recommendations for each situation (1 = unsuitable ⇔ 5 = best)
Powder: 4 / Grooming: 5 / Hard pack: 4 / Park: 3 / Cobb: No answer / Tour: 4
My first impression after wearing it is the speed of the turn introduction and the good instantaneous power of the board at turn max.
I want to ski smoothly on slopes with carving turns, and I am a greedy skier who can go on rough terrain and backcountry, so I can't give up on the basic specs of a carving ski. RIPSTICK is a freeride model, but ELAN's unique technology such as Amphibio structure and carbon line technology allows you to make comfortable carving turns. In particular, the balance between the lightness of the nose and the carbon underfoot is excellent, making it easy to enter turns. It is a fun board to slide with good repulsion after stepping on it. On-piste first thing in the morning is really the best.
It works well even on rough terrain. The swing weight is light, so it responds quickly even on uneven slopes and slopes that require small turns such as tree runs. Even when dropping the board vertically, there was no scene where it fluttered or became uneasy. You can enjoy skiing even on days with knee-high powder.
Also, because of my work, I often pack my luggage in one ski bag and go out, and RIPSTICK is very useful at such times. You don't have to have two skis, saying, "I have one for heavy snowfalls and another for skiing on the slopes." There is none. This book will suffice wherever you go.
I also go on tour with ARMADA SHIFT MNC13 bindings. Because it is lightweight, there is no stress when walking. It is also recommended for those who want to go backcountry without compromising on gliding performance.
Photo = Daniel Honda, Ryo Yasui