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

Elan Ripstick 88 W vs K2 Mindbender 89Ti

The Ripstick 88 W and the Mindbender 89Ti compared. The Ripstick 88 W is 2 mm narrower underfoot (87 vs 89 mm). The Ripstick 88 W is 376 g lighter at the default length (1,380 vs 1,756 g). Turn radii are 13.8 m and 13.1 m.

Elan Ripstick 88 W — topsheet
Ripstick 88 W
$700 MSRP 5 lengths · 147, 154, 161, 168, 175 cm
K2 Mindbender 89Ti — topsheet
Mindbender 89Ti
$750 MSRP 6 lengths · 146, 152, 158, 164, 170, 176 cm

Where each ski sits across every ski we carry

Ripstick 88 W
Mindbender 89Ti
Waist
87 mm
89 mm
Narrower · firmer-snowWider · powder
Weight
1,380 g
1,756 g
Lighter · playfulHeavier · damp & planted
Tip taper
36 mm
41 mm
Straighter · grippyMore taper · loose
Turn radius
13.8 m
13.1 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 13.8-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.
A 13.1-meter radius covers versatile, all-purpose turn shapes; a generous tip taper loosens turn entry and lets the shovel pivot and smear when you want it looser.
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 1,380 g it's a genuinely light ski, nimble and easy to move around.
A Y-shaped titanal beam runs through the core — targeted dampening that settles the ski without the full weight of a sheet, keeping more life in the tips and tails. At 1,756 g it stays maneuverable underfoot.
Float & width
At 87 mm it's an all-rounder leaning toward firm snow — enough width for soft conditions, still quick on edge. An asymmetric rocker profile tunes float and grip differently at tip and tail.
At 89 mm it's a balanced all-mountain width — real float for soft snow without giving up much hardpack quickness. Tip rocker eases turn entry and float; a cambered tail holds the edge through the turn.

Full spec comparison

SpecRipstick 88 WMindbender 89Ti
Waist 87 mm 89 mm
Sidecut 123·87·102 mm 130·89·114 mm
Weight @ default 1,380 g 1,756 g
Weight range 1,270–1,510 g 1,580–1,937 g
Turn radius 13.8 m full-length 13.1 m full-length
Metal None Titanal y beam
Core Tubelite woodcore Aspen veneer
Lengths 147–175 cm 146–176 cm
MSRP $700 $750