Ski Comparison: Armada Declivity 92 vs. Elan Ripstick Black 96

Gear expert, George compares the 2024 Armada Declivity 92Ti and the Elan Ripstick 96 Black.

Purchase the Armada Declivity 92Ti here:

Purchase the Elan Ripstick 96 Black here:

[nashvegas]

I bought into the hype for the Ripstick 96 BE, and used them for two seasons before the new '24 Rustler 9 knocked it out of my quiver last spring. The tip/tail rocker, the metal and added weight of the Rustler 9s smooth out chopped up groomers and variable off-piste compared to the Ripsticks. I'd give the Ripsticks the slight edge on groomers for carving and light pow, while the Rustlers have a higher speed limit and are much quicker and pivoty in the bumps and trees. The Ripsticks' lack of metal and lightweight build allow them to get knocked around in variable conditions, while you can ski Rustler 9s more aggressively in variable conditions and through crud (at least in Tahoe).

[carterfan]

Declivity is a great ski. Demoed at Keystone this season. But I feel inclined to make something clear. It does not have the top end of the mantra. I took them both to their top speeds. The declivity starts to get a little bit chattery at noticeably lower speeds. I clocked in at about sixty miles per hour on the and I'm gonna be totally honest and say I never lost confidence in the skis. Stable... With the declivity, I started to get some chatter around 45 to fifty miles an hour. Just figured i'd throw some hard data in there. For anyone who's trying to make a decision.
For the record I would probably buy the declivity.

[moebear]

As always, great reviews. I have the Rip Black 106 for the snowy/floaty days and I love it, but in search for the daily in groomer, crud and chopped up days and thinking maybe in the 85-95 range (?), would I see enough difference in the crud/chop with the Declivity 92 or do I need a stronger/heavier build?

[TCC_]

How do these compare to the Fischer Ranger 90?

[carterfan]

I owned the eighty eight rip stick. The overall reviews Lead me to believe the ski performed very similarly to to a ski with some metal. I personally did not agree with most of the industry "experts" I found it to be a bit soft. For me, I put it in the category of a soft snow ski. Now The reviews on the black edition seem to Indicate There's a substantial difference between the regular edition and the black.
If I wasn't crazy about the regular rip stick Do you think there's any chance I'll be happy with the black edition?
Why should I buy the black over a maverick ninety five? Mavericks got metal, probably weighs the same or less and I don't think you sacrifce much off trail...
Am I i way off?

I am judging all ski's through the lens of ny/vt skier. I'm used to skiing Kastles and fishers on trail. But I do appreciate skis that are much different. Love the mfree 99. Qsts and elan playmakers (just not atall on piste 😂😂)

[peterjordan]

How do these skis compare to the 2024 Salomon Stance?

[hhhyyyjjj]

For an intermediate taking lessons to improve - 95kg - would standard ripstick or black be better?

[neilmanns]

How do these compare to the Rustler 9?

[ubgoodandfun]

How are the Declivity 92’s for bounce/rebound out of the turns? Are they narrow enough or designed nicely to lay down the carving knee a bit more in the middle of the turn and get a strong bounce or rebound out to the other side? I’m looking for a versatile ski for variable conditions like described and with stability, strong carving through the entirety of the turn, and as much ability to play with leaning into turns and popping out of them, even being ‘thrown’ out of the turn into the next turn, for the fun of it.

[mbrady]

How do you size the Declivity? I'm 6'4" 195lb

[EricEric-yq]

Where does the Rossignol Sender 94 Ti slot into these comparisons?

[kendallslay]

How does the Serpo compare to the declivity 92

[Benzknees]

Do Elan still do the weird left & right only skis, so you're constantly putting the wrong ski on the wrong foot?