2027 Elan Wingman 86 Ti

The 2027 Elan Wingman 86 Ti is a carryover ski for this year, so we’re seeing the same shape, profile, construction, and graphics as last year. This ski is a great option for those who spend most of their time on groomed terrain and want a ski with wonderful energy, a lightweight feel, and some all-mountain versatility. We loved these when we got on them last year and enjoyed the wider-bodied format that kept us feeling confident and secure in a carved turn even with a lighter weight than other frontside carvers.

With Elan focusing on lighter weight and energy, they rely on a sophisticated build to get the job done. The 86 Ti uses a laminated wood core and adds one strip of mono Ti along the inside edge. Elan uses asymmetry in their build, which allows them to be more creative in terms of construction. By placing the metal on the downhill edge of the right/left-specific skis, Elan takes advantage of the ski’s balance and capacity. They’re not too stiff but do feel responsive and eager to turn—there's a lot of energy here, but it’s all accessible. Tester Jameson Halnon notes that “The skis felt great and exciting to get on fresh snow with. They held edges well and allowed a bit of play. These are a perfect groomer or ice coast ski for hard pack. The directional left and right ski seems like a rarity these days and Elan did a great job on these.” It’s that type of versatility in turn style that sets it apart from other skis in this range that want to hold you into the turn. Not many skis can pair playfulness and grip as effectively as these.

When it comes to shape and profile, these skis mix turn shape and style very well. The tail shape has a whole lot to do with it, with more taper but less rocker than some other mid-80's front side skis. The 174 has measurements of 132/86/112 and creates a 16-meter turn radius. You can find it all, as the ski is more than willing to make these mid-range carves. With the more Ripstick-aligned tail, it does make longer turns easier than in the previous versions of this ski, making it suitable for higher speeds. There’s Elan’s Amphibio rocker profile here as well, making the uphill edge more rockered and the downhill edge more cambered, doubling down on the asymmetry and its ability to feel like one cohesive unit as opposed to two individual skis. Rich O’Brien calls it “Lighter weight. Still edgy, but with a more all-rounder width. Able to swing around easily and change turn shapes. The loose granular makes this tinny noise which really through me off. Had nothing to do with stability or edging, but just something really different.” That’s what you’ll get with lighter weight, so yes there is a trade here.

There are more powerful and stable carvers at this width out there, but none will be as easy to use, fun, or exciting as a ski like the 86 Ti. It’s amenable to intermediates because it’s not terribly demanding, and it’s also fun for experts who like to carve clean and medium radius turns. As such, the advanced skier who falls in the middle will likely have the most to gain from this fun-loving all-mountain carver. You can have all-mountain adventures whenever you want to go along with solid front side ripping.