2022 Elan Wildcat 82 C

Built with a laminated wood core and carbon reinforcements, the Elan Wildcat 82 C is an awesome choice for intermediate and advanced skiers who spend most, if not all, of their time on groomed terrain trying to make the perfectly carved turn. If you value roundness and cleanliness from your skis, the Wildcat 82 C is a fantastic option. That laminated wood core does have a fair amount of snap and pop already, and when you add the carbon reinforcement to the Amphibio construction technology, you’re getting a very energetic ski at a fantastic value. Great for bumps, packed-out trees, and a bit of off-piste adventure, the Wildcat 82 C has a good amount of versatility built in, even though it’s on the low-end of the 80’s underfoot. Regardless of width, these skis have a light and playful nature to them that is just a whole lot of fun for a wide variety of skier types and terrain choices. Thanks to the asymmetric construction, Elan is able to put more material over the inside edges of the downhill skis while keeping the uphill edges lighter and more maneuverable. This right/left-specificity in terms of the ski’s build make it a unique and awesomely smooth ski, especially in the transition phase of the turn.

On the 158, Louise Lintilhac noted that while she might opt for the longer length, that didn’t stop her from having a good time on the shorter ski. Her scores reflect that good time, with 5’s out of 5’s for quickness, maneuverability, torsional stiffness, edge hold, and overall impression. Normally, we wouldn’t see a skier as accomplished as Louise give a ski like this a 5 for overall, but that’s just a testament to Elan’s ability to make a really nice ski. She notes that she “loved these for what they’re made for: fast groomer laps. The fast edge-to-edge movement gave each turn a playfulness that was giggle inducing and for days when corduroy is on tap, these would be at the top of my list. A great choice for intermediate and advanced skiers who love to arc fast turns and lay trenches. Just make sure you put those skis on the right feet!” Yup, as a right/left-specific, you gotta look at least once to make sure. Additionally, echoes of that amphibio construction ring through with the edge-to-edge playfulness aspect of Louise’s remarks. Also on the 158, Ann MacDonald noted they felt short, but still found some good merits to comment on as well. “Good overall carving ski for intermediate skiers. Not very lively or playful--a little dead in spots. Easy turning when I slowed it down. Probably good bang for the buck for someone that is not too aggressive.” Definitely a good value with this ski and binding system for sure.

On the shorter 152, Catherine Ferguson noted as well that she’d prefer the longer length (maybe two sizes up in this width), but she loved the quickness and maneuverability of the skis for sure. Those categories, as well as stability, torsional stiffness, and edge grip all earned 4’s out of 5, and that’s a pretty impressive start to the scorecard. Catherine notes that “They were really fun to carve. The left and right ski definitely helps with that. I would also say the left and right ski made them a bit less playful for my liking. Good for someone who wants to carve groomers!” Sounds like on this ski, Catherine would prefer a bit more power on the uphill edge, but she’s quite capable of reaching the top end of the ski, so we’re not terribly surprised to hear about that.

If you like spending a lot of time in a turn, on a groomer, with a light and fun ski, then the Elan Wildcat 82 C is a great choice. From intermediates to advanced skiers, of all ages and sizes, these skis and their asymmetrical profile offer something that no other ski in this width can. The smoothness of the uphill ski is unmatched, allowing skiers to take a more direct and appropriate line down the hill with a tremendous amount of confidence. Overall, these are some of the most composed and poised skis in this category by a decent margin.