Elan Ripstick 108 vs. Renoun Citadel 107 Review

When you think of “all-mountain freeride,” a few skis inevitably rise to the top of the conversation. For years, the Elan Ripstick series has been a mainstay—earning its place on countless “best of” lists and praised for its blend of fun, float, and versatility. The newly updated Ripstick 108 continues that legacy with a slightly wider waist, more rocker, and freeride-ready construction.

On the other side of the spectrum sits the Renoun Citadel 107—a ski that approaches freeride performance with an entirely different philosophy. Instead of relying on traditional dampening materials like metal, fiberglass, or flax, the Citadel leverages VibeStop™, a patented adaptive polymer that literally changes how the ski feels depending on conditions. Add in its feathery weight, and you get a ski that challenges the idea you have to choose between uphill efficiency and downhill power.

So how do these two freeride titans stack up? Let’s dig into the details.

Here’s how the numbers compare at a glance:

This is where the Citadel really separates itself. Renoun’s VibeStop™ technology acts like an adaptive suspension system inside the ski, stiffening up under chatter and vibrations, and relaxing when the snow is smooth. The result? A ski that feels calm and quiet at speed in variable snow without sacrificing agility in softer, forgiving conditions.

The Ripstick 108, meanwhile, relies on more traditional damping solutions— flax fibers, carbon rods, and strategic layup. It’s stable for its category and performs well when conditions are consistent, but when you push into truly mixed terrain—crud, wind-affected powder, or boilerplate—the Citadel pulls ahead with noticeably smoother tracking.

Here, the two skis diverge in personality.

• Ripstick 108: lively, poppy, and favors a surfy, slashy style. Its Amphibio Rocker profile (asymmetric left/right skis) makes turn initiation intuitive and forgiving, while the light weight encourages playful skiing—but at the cost of backbone at speed.
  
  

• Citadel 107: despite being lighter, maintains a more balanced playfulness. Thanks to VibeStop™, it never feels nervous, even at high speeds. You can feather turns through the trees or throw a slash on a windlip, but when you want to open things up, the Citadel has the horsepower to back it up.

Both skis transition well from edge to edge, but in different ways:

• Citadel 107: Quick, precise, and confidence-inspiring. Its Aspen core paired with the stabilizing effect of VibeStop™ gives you surgical accuracy when carving on groomers or threading technical lines.
  
  

• Ripstick 108: Smooth and easygoing. Its edge feel is predictable but not razor sharp. This will appeal to skiers who prioritize flow and fun over precision carving.
  
  

If your skiing style leans more toward “technical lines and confidence at speed,” the Citadel edges ahead. If you lean toward “fluid, surfy, and creative skiing,” the Ripstick feels more natural.

Both skis thrive across multiple conditions, but their personalities tilt in different directions:

• Renoun Citadel 107: The true “do it all” ski. It can carve groomers in the morning, slash powder in the afternoon, and still hold strong if you decide to hike for a backcountry line. The lightweight build makes it a great candidate for hybrid setups (alpine or touring bindings).
  
  

• Elan Ripstick 108: Also versatile, but more biased toward freeride/playful skiing. It shines in soft snow and variable terrain but may leave aggressive skiers wishing for more bite on hardpack or icy conditions.

• Skiers who prioritize playfulness and surfy style over pure carving precision.

• Intermediate to advanced skiers who enjoy slashy turns and playful powder skiing.

• Freeriders who spend most of their time on resort or backcountry lines where lightness is nice but not mission-critical.

• Skiers who like a ski that feels lively underfoot and encourages creative skiing through trees and open powder zones.

Bottom Line: While asymmetric skis like the Ripstick 108 can offer playful, surfy performance, non-dedicated skis like the Citadel 107 provide long-term durability, more consistent base wear, and easier maintenance.

The Ripstick 108 floats beautifully and encourages a surfy, smeary style. It’s intuitive and fun—ideal for skiers who want to pivot and smear turns in deeper snow.

The Citadel 107, by contrast, feels more directional and confidence-inspiring in bigger terrain while maintaining an easy-to-turn feel thanks to its light weight and turning radius. With a waist width just a touch narrower and a nominally shorter radius, it provides power and composure in big lines while still floating with ease.

At just 1732 g/ski (184 cm), the Citadel 107 is among the lightest skis in its class, yet it skis like something heavier thanks to VibeStop™. It stiffens in rough snow and relaxes in smooth conditions, giving you downhill performance without uphill fatigue.

The Ripstick 108 is slightly heavier (~1770 g/ski), still reasonable for touring, but the Citadel’s gram-for-gram efficiency makes it the more appealing choice for those combining resort laps with backcountry ascents.

All in, the 40 grams per ski will be barely noticeable. A weight difference of approximately one pack of gum per ski won't drastically change anyone's backcountry touring capabilities.

• Size shorter for maneuverability in trees or tight terrain.
  
  

• Size longer for stability at speed and better float in deep powder.
  
  

Not sure which length is right for you? Check out our expert ski length guide.

Both the Elan Ripstick 108 and the Renoun Citadel 107 are exceptional skis—but they cater to different skiers:

• Ripstick 108: playful, surfy, and approachable.
  
  

• Citadel 107: light, stable, precise, and versatile for resort + backcountry.
  
  

At nearly the same weight, the Citadel delivers the performance of a heavier ski with the benefits of a lighter one, thanks to VibeStop™

Renoun Skis Reviews team has over a decade of ski design and manufacturing experience, and decades of combined ski-industry experience ranging from certified PSIA ski instructors to shop technicians, racers, and coaches. We also have a deep passion for and love of all things skiing. The team utilizes this experience to provide unparalleled reviews that dive deep to help guide your purchase for just about any ski-related item and help inform you of any ski-focused tips and tricks about maintenance, on-hill performance, and even the best places to enjoy your Après-Ski. Through written and video content, the Renoun Skis Reviews team is here to help inform you on all things ski-related.

Our team curates recommendations based on an intensive research and review process and leverages our unique expertise in the industry. A product must be exceptional in quality and have unique features to qualify for consideration in our review process. For all tips and tricks, all advice is based on on-hill and ski manufacturing knowledge, as well as intensive research to ensure accuracy and help skiers like you stay informed.

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