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

Elan Ripstick 96 vs K2 Mindbender 96C

The Ripstick 96 and the Mindbender 96C compared. The Ripstick 96 is 1 mm narrower underfoot (95 vs 96 mm). The Ripstick 96 is 120 g lighter at the default length (1,510 vs 1,630 g). Turn radii are 16.8 m and 16 m.

Elan Ripstick 96 — topsheet
Ripstick 96
$800 MSRP 5 lengths · 161, 168, 175, 182, 189 cm
K2 Mindbender 96C — topsheet
Mindbender 96C
$700 MSRP 4 lengths · 166, 172, 178, 184 cm

Where each ski sits across every ski we carry

Ripstick 96
Mindbender 96C
Waist
95 mm
96 mm
Narrower · firmer-snowWider · powder
Weight
1,510 g
1,630 g
Lighter · playfulHeavier · damp & planted
Tip taper
36 mm
35 mm
Straighter · grippyMore taper · loose
Turn radius
16.8 m
16.0 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 16.8-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 16.0-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 1,510 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 1,630 g it stays light and maneuverable.
Float & width
At 95 mm it leans toward soft-snow float while keeping enough edge to hold when it firms up. An asymmetric rocker profile tunes float and grip differently at tip and tail.
At 96 mm it leans toward soft-snow float while keeping enough edge to hold when it firms up. Tip rocker eases turn entry and float; a cambered tail holds the edge through the turn.

Full spec comparison

SpecRipstick 96Mindbender 96C
Waist 95 mm 96 mm
Sidecut 131·95·112 mm 131·96·119 mm
Weight @ default 1,510 g 1,630 g
Weight range 1,380–1,715 g 1,552–1,790 g
Turn radius 16.8 m full-length 16.0 m full-length
Metal None None
Core Tubelite woodcore Aspen veneer
Lengths 161–189 cm 166–184 cm
MSRP $800 $700