When Elan formalized a partnership with White Wilderness Heli Skiing last fall, we were ecstatic. I mean, what brand new start-up helicopter skiing operation wouldn’t want to have the support of such Titans of Industry? Elan wanted a testing ground for their new ski, the Ripstick. And we were to be the snow poodles. Skis, snowboards and bindings were shipped as snow began to fall on the Coast Mountains and we continued to prepare for our inaugural winter.

Then one night, I couldn’t sleep. What if The Ripstick was a dud? What if they didn’t ski well? We had painstakingly accounted for every other detail of the guest experience but now had all of our proverbial eggs in one (helicopter) ski basket…

Aaaand then we skied The Ripstick.

No huge surprise here, as Elan has lead the way in the ski world with cutting edge and game-changing innovation and design for over 70 years. Enter Amphibio and TNT Technology: SST Sidewall, TubeLite Woodcore, VaporTip inserts and Amphibio profile.

…What?!

Before I continue, I have a somewhat embarrassing confession to make: after almost 20 years in the ski industry, I don’t really know much about skis. I don’t get the technical jargon that accompanies each and every innovation that has come about in the world of sliding on snow. I am a practitioner. I know a buttery and playful ski when I ski one. I know what it is to have stability at higher speeds. I know what it is to plow through variable conditions with confidence. I know what skis well, for me. But most importantly, I know what skis well for my guests.

So, although I struggle to speak with much credibility regarding the technical performance characteristics of the Ripstick, what I can describe to you is our experience - the skiing experience.

It’s light for a big ski, but feels solid. It turns without effort. It skis like a dream in deep and light powder conditions. It doesn’t buck you when you hit a little wind slab – in fact it eats that stuff for breakfast! And it’s a playful ski too. But what about the people who really matter – our guests? With only a short window of opportunity to have the powder skiing week of a lifetime, the ski becomes incredibly important. What did they say?

The Ripstick was incredibly well-loved. I have never seen such a consistently positive reaction by such a wide variety of guests. Requests were limited to asking for a longer or shorter pair (or) for a wider version when things got deep. But that was it.

There is currently a lot of hype around the Ripstick. This new addition to Elan’s commercial quiver is winning all sorts of awards; in fact, the Ripstick is one of the most celebrated new skis on the market. A lot of people seem to be very, very psyched. And at, White Wilderness Heli Skiing, so are we. Can’t wait to carve my first deep powder turns of the winter in just a few short months.

Check out more on the Ripstick here: http://ripstick.elanskis.com

Post script: I slept soundly for the rest of the winter.

...from the summer desk of Ken Bibby, Operations Manager

info@WWHeliski.com

www.wwheliski.com