2025 Elan Wingman 82 Cti

Returning unchanged, the 2025 Elan Wingman 82 CTi is a fantastic example of a front side ski with top levels of sophistication and detail. This ski's shape, build, and profile are unique in the ski world; the only exceptions are the other skis in the Wingman line that contain these similar techniques and properties. As the narrower of the CTi versions, the 82 is stiff, both torsionally and longitudinally, while containing an interesting way of building and shaping, coming from Elan’s asymmetry and innovation. Skiers of the advanced and expert realm will find the most success on these skis, and while they’re on the lighter side for having metal, they’re still quite stiff, and that can be a bit of a deal breaker for intermediates who aren’t quite as comfortable pushing forward on their skis. As such, this is a high-performance model that relies on the top ends of construction and technology. It makes for a clean and smooth ride on groomed and firm surfaces.

There’s a whole lot of sophistication and technology in the Wingman build. In Elan’s world, it’s all about carbon tubes and asymmetrical construction. These two aspects set the company apart from others out there, making their skis feel unique and different in a good way. Some companies try different things, and it just doesn’t work, but Elan seems to have nailed it with these aspects. Starting with a Tubelite wood core, Elan installs their carbon rods into the sides of the ski. By using a 360-degree application of carbon, Elan is tapping into the power of the material and emphasizing the stiffness and energy without adding much weight. Since the rods are placed in the ski under pressure, even more energy is eked out of the build. With asymmetry in mind, Elan uses their Amphibio TruLine Technology which places additional material over the inside edge of the skis while leaving the outer edges more manageable and flexible. The combination of the carbon rods and the beefed-up sides of the ski goes a long way in creating the stiff flex and the solid nature of the Wingman 82 CTi. There aren’t many other skis that pack this much tech into such a small volume.

The shaping of this ski allows for fantastic carving performance. At 82 mm underfoot, it’s on the wide side for pure front side, but the build pushes it towards that realm. Conversely, for a dedicated carver, it’s got a bit of versatility built in, mainly due to the width and the Amphibio Rocker profile. In addition to the build, the profile is also asymmetric, putting more camber on the inside edge with a longer rocker on the outside portion. The ski is basically twisted, making the transition between turns very smooth and hook-free while keeping the downhill edge fully engaged when pressuring the ski. In the 178, we’re getting a short 15.5-meter turn radius, causing the ski to come across the fall line with purpose. While the stiffer flex may cause shorter and skidded turns to be on the demanding side of the spectrum, the ski is more amenable to opening it up and letting it run without wanting to be yanked into the next turn—these skis are fast, both on edge and in the flats.

It’s a stiff ski to be used properly by intermediates. Ideally suited for advanced and expert skiers who spend most of their time on-trail, the 2025 Elan Wingman 82 CTi is a great choice for the carving enthusiast. One of the cool things that started last year is that the ski is available flat without bindings, with an EMX 12 Fusion system, or the new Protector 13 binding. These three options open a world of possibilities for the skier, and more options are just more fun. Safety and performance are a great mix.