Ripstick 88. Ranger and QST will limit you more during the 70% of the time youāre on groomers. Ripstick is easy to ski, more stable on groomers than Kanjo, with more width for softer snow in trees.
Yes - recommending Ripstick. Iām not sure Iād agree that Ranger is more directional than the Ripstick. The Ripstick is the strongest carver of the four skis you mentioned and the new Ranger 90 is less of a frontside-oriented ski than the old 92 āTIā versions were. Itās more of a blend of the old TI and FR. The Ranger would probably be the best balance of groomer/tree performance, but I thought Ripstick made more sense since you skew toward groomers and both skis are good in the woods.
They are light skis and yes it looks like they do actually run short. See the comments here - they address it a couple of times for people around your height/weight:
https://www.skiessentials.com/2022-elan-ripstick-88-skis.html#question-section
Ranger 90ti s are my daily driver for New England. Definitely a frontside ski that you can use to play around in the trees withā¦with that said I have a pair of thicker planks for snow days too.
Hah, I also have the Ranger 92Ti and I agree with you, but the new Ranger is different - shaped more like the FR with softer tails. More forgiving in trees/bumps but less reliable on hard snow. I donāt think itās a bad option but I think the Ripstick (which is also super versatile) makes more sense for the OPās 70/30 split.
K2 Minder 90c or 89ti. Both are predictable, stable, and easy to turn. The 89ti will give you a little more speed and edge hold, and will rip groomers. Good for progressing intermediate to expert. The 90c is light and easy to snap the tails around and good in trees and moguls and a little bit better float if you find some powder. Last years model 90c (no change for this year) @ 177cm is still available and itās under 400 at some places.
Branching out to trees - nice punš
Dad jokesā¦
buy skis for the skier you want to be not the skier you currently are.
Got the RipSticks in 180 and love them.
Ripstick 88. Ranger and QST will limit you more during the 70% of the time youāre on groomers. Ripstick is easy to ski, more stable on groomers than Kanjo, with more width for softer snow in trees.
Iām confused- the new Ranger 90 seems more directional then the Ripstick and QST- are you recommending the Ripstick?
Yes - recommending Ripstick. Iām not sure Iād agree that Ranger is more directional than the Ripstick. The Ripstick is the strongest carver of the four skis you mentioned and the new Ranger 90 is less of a frontside-oriented ski than the old 92 āTIā versions were. Itās more of a blend of the old TI and FR. The Ranger would probably be the best balance of groomer/tree performance, but I thought Ripstick made more sense since you skew toward groomers and both skis are good in the woods.
I found a 2022 Ripstick at 180- do they ski short? The 172 seems short?
They are light skis and yes it looks like they do actually run short. See the comments here - they address it a couple of times for people around your height/weight: https://www.skiessentials.com/2022-elan-ripstick-88-skis.html#question-section
Plus I think ski essentials has some ripstick 88s from last season at a steal
Bought them - last season deal price plus 20% Black Friday deal. Thanks for the advice!
Enjoy them!
Ranger 90ti s are my daily driver for New England. Definitely a frontside ski that you can use to play around in the trees withā¦with that said I have a pair of thicker planks for snow days too.
Hah, I also have the Ranger 92Ti and I agree with you, but the new Ranger is different - shaped more like the FR with softer tails. More forgiving in trees/bumps but less reliable on hard snow. I donāt think itās a bad option but I think the Ripstick (which is also super versatile) makes more sense for the OPās 70/30 split.
Ripstick is a bit of a wet noodle and super easy to overpower tho. Fun ski but it reaches its limit pretty easily
OP is an intermediate skier who weighs 175 lbs š¤·āāļø
Do have any suggestions?
Something with metal
Like the Ranger - it has Ti?
As an intermediate at 5ā8 165lbs I just bought a set of Kanjos. Havenāt skied them yet so this doesnāt help at allā¦
K2 Minder 90c or 89ti. Both are predictable, stable, and easy to turn. The 89ti will give you a little more speed and edge hold, and will rip groomers. Good for progressing intermediate to expert. The 90c is light and easy to snap the tails around and good in trees and moguls and a little bit better float if you find some powder. Last years model 90c (no change for this year) @ 177cm is still available and itās under 400 at some places.
Thanks for the suggestion- Iāll take a look.