THE GEAR PICKER
skis / compare
Head-to-head · freeride

Elan Ripstick 106 W vs K2 Mindbender 106C

The Ripstick 106 W and the Mindbender 106C compared. They share 106 mm underfoot. The Ripstick 106 W is 185 g lighter at the default length (1,585 vs 1,770 g). Turn radii are 17.8 m and 15.7 m.

Elan Ripstick 106 W — topsheet
Ripstick 106 W
$850 MSRP 4 lengths · 154, 161, 168, 175 cm
K2 Mindbender 106C — topsheet
Mindbender 106C
$800 MSRP 4 lengths · 155, 162, 169, 176 cm

Where each ski sits across every ski we carry

Ripstick 106 W
Mindbender 106C
Waist
106 mm
106 mm
Narrower · firmer-snowWider · powder
Weight
1,585 g
1,770 g
Lighter · playfulHeavier · damp & planted
Tip taper
33 mm
32 mm
Straighter · grippyMore taper · loose
Turn radius
17.8 m
15.7 m
Shorter · quickLonger · stable

Head to head, by character

Each ski's own read, side by side — the same three things that define how it skis.
Turn & shape
A 17.8-meter radius draws medium-to-long turns and holds a line through them; a moderate taper keeps entry manageable without giving up much grip mid-arc.
A 15.7-meter radius sits in the all-purpose range — turn shapes that shorten up or open out without committing to either; a moderate tip taper keeps turn entry easy while the shovel still engages.
Stability & dampness
Built without metal on a tubelite woodcore, it's lighter and livelier underfoot — easy to release from a turn and quick edge to edge. At 1,585 g it's a genuinely light ski, nimble and easy to move around.
Built without metal on an aspen veneer, it's lighter and livelier underfoot — easy to release from a turn and quick edge to edge. At 1,770 g it stays light and maneuverable.
Float & width
At 106 mm it's a wide, soft-snow ski built to float and plane more than to carve hardpack. An asymmetric rocker profile tunes float and grip differently at tip and tail.
At 106 mm it's a wide, soft-snow ski built to float and plane more than to carve hardpack. Tip rocker eases turn entry and float; a cambered tail holds the edge through the turn.

Full spec comparison

SpecRipstick 106 WMindbender 106C
Waist 106 mm 106 mm
Sidecut 139·106·119 mm 138·106·127 mm
Weight @ default 1,585 g 1,770 g
Weight range 1,520–1,725 g 1,570–1,873 g
Turn radius 17.8 m full-length 15.7 m full-length
Metal None None
Core Tubelite woodcore Aspen veneer
Lengths 154–175 cm 155–176 cm
MSRP $850 $800