Elan Ripstick 88 vs Völkl Mantra 88: Which Ski Matches Your Ability?

Choose between the 2027 Elan Ripstick 88 and Völkl Mantra 88 using their intended skier, construction, length choices and US prices.

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Pick the Elan Ripstick 88 if you're an intermediate or advanced skier who needs a broad choice of lengths. Pick the Völkl Mantra 88 if you're advanced or expert and specifically want a stiff, directional ski. The Elan is a men's model; the Völkl is unisex. For a smaller or more cautious skier, the Ripstick's intended use and shorter sizes make it the better place to start.

We haven't skied these two for this comparison.

The specs side by side

The Elan Ripstick 88 and Völkl Mantra 88 were in stock at US shops on 5 Nov 2026; the prices below are in USD.

Equal waists, different skiing priorities

The Ripstick is aimed at intermediate and advanced all-mountain skiers. The Mantra adds carving to its intended terrain and has a stiff flex. That gives the Mantra a clearer role for someone who enjoys applying pressure through firm-snow turns and wants a ski that resists being bent.

For a light intermediate, start with the Ripstick in a length you can steer comfortably. Its all-mountain purpose fits a day of progressing on trails and exploring varied resort snow. If you are strong and ski fast, the Mantra's stiff flex is a more direct match for applying force through the front of the boot and into the ski.

Both have an 88 mm waist. The Ripstick measures 125/88/104 mm at 168 cm, while the Mantra has broader ends at 129/88/113 mm. Their narrow middles suit quick edge changes on groomed trails. The Völkl's broader tip and tail give its outline a stronger emphasis on shaping a turn around that waist.

Support for turns and mixed snow

The Elan uses a Tubelite wood core with carbon rods, carbon and flax laminates, along with an Amphibio profile. Its directional shape suits forward-facing all-mountain skiing, from morning groomers to softer afternoon sections. Choose it when you want a trail-friendly width and a size range that lets you match the ski closely to your body.

The Mantra has full sidewalls and tip-and-tail rocker. The sidewalls support the edge under pressure, while raised ends help you release a turn as you flatten the ski. Its stiff flex is useful for assertive skiing but can be hard work for a cautious skier who has trouble bending the ski at slower speeds.

The Ripstick's 13.8-17.8 m radius range and the Mantra's 13-17 m range both suit linking turns on resort trails. Shorter-radius options tend to favor tighter carved arcs; longer-radius options give a turn more room to develop. Pick the size for your weight and pace first, then consider the turn shape you enjoy.

Ripstick reaches farther at both ends

The Ripstick spans 154 to 189 cm. The Mantra offers 163, 170, 177 and 184 cm. Elan's 154 and 161 cm options suit someone who needs a shorter ski, while the 163 cm Mantra gives a smaller advanced skier a stiff option without stepping up to 170 cm.

The Elan also reaches beyond the Völkl at the long end, giving taller skiers another option. Favor more length when you have the strength and pace to use it on open terrain. If narrow trails and slow turns dominate your day, choose a manageable size rather than stretching to the longest Ripstick available.

Which should you buy

Choose the Ripstick 88 when the shorter lengths or intermediate-to-advanced focus solve your buying problem. Choose the Mantra 88 when you want stiff flex for assertive skiing and one of its lengths works for you.

Check the Ripstick 88 against the Mantra 88 in that length before assuming Elan costs less. Our guide for intermediate skiers helps decide whether moving to a more demanding ski makes sense.