2021 Elan Wingman 86 CTI

Ridiculously fast, the Elan Wingman 86 CTi returns unchanged for 2021, much to the delight of speed freaks all over the world. Built with both a system binding and offered flat, this ski does have some interesting quirks to make it appealing not only to front-side carvers, but also for all-mountain skiers looking for an incredibly precise and quick setup. At 86 mm underfoot, the skis are on the wide side for a front side ski, but they're incredible carvers to be sure. Elan really takes advantage of the opportunity to make an asymmetrical ski, and they do so very effectively with the Wingman CTi. Built with a wood core and two sheets of metal, they're able to put an additional partial laminate over the inside edge portion of the ski. This gives the dominant edge a bunch more power and grip versus the outside half of the ski. Minimal taper makes this ski hold on tight from tip to tail, generating a long effective edge that creates an incredibly smooth and stable feel. Since the outside portion of the ski is softer and more flexible, it allows for easy transitions between turns. Our testers were pretty darn excited over the stiffness and performance of the 86 CTi, and love the blend of carbon and titanal to gain traction and power.

Jeff Neagle got to test out the 178, and his highest score was a 5 out of 5 for torsional stiffness and edge hold. This category is super-important for front side and all-mountain skis, and it's nice to see that Elan's efforts have paid off. "I really enjoy the feel of Elan's skis recently and the Wingman 86 CTI is certainly no exception. In my opinion, it feels more precise, stiffer, and performs better on firm snow compared to the Ripstick models. Not quite as versatile due to the shape, but if you care a little more about firm snow performance than all-mountain versatility, this might be the way to go. Relatively light on your feet, but plenty of torsional stiffness and a smooth, stable feel too. One of the best things about Elan's skis right now is the way they integrate good vibration damping without making the skis feel heavy, which makes them quite unique. Light, energetic, and fun, yet you can give them seemingly endless skier input without the ski washing out or over-flexing the tip. Easier to manipulate for a lighter weight skier like myself than some of the heavier, super stiff skis in this width range, although I don't expect a heavier skier would overpower them either. Great all-mountain ski that leans a little towards groomed terrain, but certainly one you can still take off trail from time to time." Nice to note that while they're precise and stable, they retain the light feeling that the rest of Elan's skis have.

Bob St.Pierre was on the 184 and noted that "to be honest, I was a bit scared at first. They just kept accelerating down the hill, and since we had a nice, firm day for testing, picking up speed was not an issue. However, when I engaged the edges and actually started to push this thing in a turn, it responded very well. My fears subsided, and all I had to do was remember to turn. I loved the stiffness and the stability-this is a fantastic front side ski with a high speed limit. Stiff tail locks you into the turn. Definitely a superior carver than the ~88 all-mountain skis like Kendo/Brahma, but not quite as versatile." Bob, like Jeff, had a 5 out of 5 for torsional stiffness and edge hold, as well as a 5 for stability.

If you're looking for that stiff front side ski that is easy to maneuver but delivers high-performance skiing with no issues whatsoever, definitely check out the Wingman 86 CTi. They have the build, shape, and profile to rip some serious carves down the firmest and most demanding trails on the planet.