2027 Elan Wildcat 83 Ti

The 2027 Elan Wildcat 83 Ti is a carryover model for this year featuring the same construction, profile, and graphics as last year. With quick energy and a smooth character, these front side and all-mountain skis can handle intermediates through experts who are looking for clean and crisp carving to go along with some soft snow performance and adventure. Thanks to Elan's ability to make a quick and strong ski, these 83 Ti’s are smooth in flex and more playful in the tail to accentuate an all-mountain flair. This makes them both fun and approachable for intermediate through expert skiers.

The sophistication and engineering involved in this construction is of a very high level. With a laminated wood core consisting of poplar and beech, Elan uses a mono Ti laminate along the inside edge of each ski. With a right/left-specific build, this puts more emphasis and power on the downhill edge where it’s needed while leaving the uphill portion of the ski more flexible and amenable to go along. This makes it super easy to get more power with less weight and stiffness. The skis get an EL 9.0 system binding which is going to be just fine for most skiers in this range. It keeps it light and easy to use. Tester Alli Ruschp notes: "WOW, such a fun front side carving ski. Easy to get on edge, holds tight and easy to release. I am a big fan of Elans carbon rod technology, it's very energetic and smooth. The carbon reacts to energy you put into it, so when you have lots of energy and strength you can really power the ski but as you get tired throughout the day the carbon can easily be backed off and you can relax and take a more casual turn without being driving by the ski."

As much as the construction takes top billing in terms of this ski's approachable and fun nature, the footprint of the ski is not far behind, if at all. The asymmetry carries into the shape and profile as well, with Elan’s Amphibio rocker profile doubling up the uniqueness of the ski. By placing more rocker on the outside of the shovel and more camber on the inside, skiers can get from one turn to the next with an uncommon level of smoothness and ease of use. This makes for a cohesive feel as the skis do not feel hooky or grabby at all—they just run nice and clean and parallel with ease. Tester Lauren Morton states that it's "Fun but not enough ski for the firm conditions. This would love soft groomers. Got unstable at high speeds but when slowed down it was happy to make turns. A good intro to carving ski for a strong intermediate skier."

That progression is what keeps a lot of skiers coming back for more. While ease of use is a good thing for beginners and intermediates, it can also limit top end feel and performance. This Wildcat 83 Ti is a great option for progressing skies who are looking for smoothness and confidence without being overly demanding. There’s a big audience here, as most skiers do spend most of their time on groomers, making this ski a fun, energetic option for those looking to perfect the art of the purely carved turn.