Slovenian ski superstars Elan – who practically invented the original carving ski - have launched a new collection dedicated to on-piste fun and performance. Designers have implemented the company’s innovative Amphibio technology, already used in the freeride Ripstick collection, meaning there’s a dedicated left and right ski, with the inside being cambered and the outside, rockered. Elan say that this means more stability, edge grip and control on the inside, but with a smooth, easy transition into each turn on the outside.
Fortunately for Elan’s ski engineers, this theory plays out perfectly in practice and the Primetime 55+ delivers the kind of performance expected for a ski at this price point, yet offers a more accessible ride than a full-on race ski. For the sort of skier that wants to rip around the piste all day long and has the ability level of strong intermediate (can carve their turns) and above, with a decent budget to match, then you’ll feel that Elan’s strapline, ‘always good times’ is a justifiable one.
A dual density woodcore is backed up with a reinforced titanal plate, creating a torsional stiffness that helps power through each turn and provides that kind of dampness at higher speeds that you’d expect from a top of the range ski. Y
et while many skis of this type of construction could feel laborious for even strong technical skiers, the Amphibio shape helps to keep that turn initiation more effortless – it’s a neat trick, but of course to get the most out of them, it still requires good technique and this is where expert skiers, instructors and perhaps former ski racers can also reap the rewards.
Just remember to make sure the skis are on the right feet…
