2021 Elan Wingman 82 CTI

The 2021 Elan Wingman 82 CTi returns unchanged for this year, and for fans of a narrower-waisted front side ski, this is a good thing. While most of Elan's priorities seem to go to their Ripstick all-mountain and freeride skis, their front-siders get a bit lost, but now with a year under their belt, the Wingman 82 CTi should gain some traction this winter. Built with a wood core with carbon and titanal laminates, these skis are burly, stiff, and ready to be put on edge. Impressively stiff, both torsionally and longitudinally, the Wingman 82 has grip for days. No matter how hard the snow may be or how blue it turns, the Wingman will hold. Since they're not scared of building asymmetrical skis, Elan is able to tweak the inside portions of the ski in a way that most other manufacturers would not. They are putting an extra laminate in the inside half of the ski, making the more prominent carving edge stronger and more capable of holding tight and smooth to the snow. While leaving the outer portion of the ski lighter and more flexible, the skis are able to roll from edge to edge smoothly, quietly, and quickly. There's little to no grabbing with this ski-just a smooth transition. Our testers all loved this ski last year, and their feedback is still quite valid. For front side cruising and carving, there's not much better or more unique out there than the Elan Wingman 82 CTi.

Michael Rooney skied the 178 and was a big fan of the ski's stability, with that category earning a 4 out of 5. He notes that "the Wingman 82 CTi responds well all the way through the turn. It's a great ski for intermediates all the way through experts who like groomers." And in terms of that energy, Michael states that "the skis have a good snap coming out of the turn and advanced skiers will really enjoy this ski because of that carving turn and snap." Energy out of the turn is indeed a very good thing in a carving format. On the smaller 172, Benny Wax scored 4 out of 5 for overall impression. He calls it a "fun asymmetric ski that shows in its easy turn initiation. Overall, it's a very comfortable ride that exceled in softer groomers, but still had enough grip for icier surfaces." A smooth skier like Benny really can make skis like this excel on edge.

David Wolfgang skied the 178, but that's a tad on the short side for him. Regardless, 4's abound on his scorecard, notably for quickness, maneuverability, and versatility. He states that the 82 CTi "really gave you the impression that you had someone looking out for you. Handled frozen corduroy quietly and confidently. They carved up the hardpack with precision while instilling confidence." For a higher-end carving ski like this, confidence and comfort go a long way for skiers for sure. Also on the 178, Mike Aidala scored a 5 for quickness and maneuverability, showing that 82 mm waist can get put to good use for sure. He calls it "very responsive and stable but I found it had a speed limit. Great front side/all-mountain ski that provides great performance for top-end skiers." The waist combined with the build sure make it a good choice for that carving enthusiast who's looking for something a bit lighter and quicker.

Skiers looking for that quick and smooth edge to edge transition with a strong grip during the carve will love the combination of strength and stability from the Elan Wingman 82 CTi. Tons of fun on the groomers, and with stiffness to spare!