2020 Elan Wingman 82 CTi
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Ski Stats

Sidecut 129/82/112
Radius 15.5m @ 178cm
Lengths 160,166,172,178,184
Weight 1760g @ 178cm
MSRP $750
FIND
Power Score: 8.82

Finesse Score: 8.80

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The new Wingman 82 Cti from Elan demonstrates the proposition that the best way to imbue a Frontside ski with greater terrain versatility is to begin with an off-trail template. The Wingman series borrows its structure from Elan’s Ripstick collection, which uses twin 3mm carbon rods near the base to lend strength, dampening and rebound to its poplar and Paulownia core. To give the ski more poise on piste, Elan squared up and flattened out the tail and added a band of Titanal to the ski’s mid-section for good measure. That the Wingman 82 Cti would excel at twin-track carving was foreordained by its TruLine Amphibio design, an Elan staple. Amphibio is the umbrella term for an asymmetric sidecut that puts a longer effective edge on the inside of the ski and a shorter camber zone along the outside edge. In other words, the ski is rockered along the longitudinal axis. This allows the skis to always remain in sync as they roll from one inside edge to the other. TruLine amplifies the Amphibio offset by concentrating more glass over the inside edge so the skier’s force is directed where it’s needed most.

The new Wingman 82 Cti from Elan demonstrates the proposition that the best way to imbue a Frontside ski with greater terrain versatility is to begin with an off-trail template. The Wingman series borrows its structure from Elan’s Ripstick collection, which uses twin 3mm carbon rods near the base to lend strength, dampening and rebound to its poplar and Paulownia core. To give the ski more poise on piste, Elan squared up and flattened out the tail and added a band of Titanal to the ski’s mid-section for good measure.

That the Wingman 82 Cti would excel at twin-track carving was foreordained by its TruLine Amphibio design, an Elan staple. Amphibio is the umbrella term for an asymmetric sidecut that puts a longer effective edge on the inside of the ski and a shorter camber zone along the outside edge. In other words, the ski is rockered along the longitudinal axis. This allows the skis to always remain in sync as they roll from one inside edge to the other. TruLine amplifies the Amphibio offset by concentrating more glass over the inside edge so the skier’s force is directed where it’s needed most.

One of the Wingman 82 Cti’s enduring charms is its relatively soft flex, which allows it to bend under light pressure. This makes it an especially good match for lighter skiers, seniors or lower skill skiers, all of whom could have trouble de-cambering some of the stronger rails in the Frontside genre. We’ve awarded it a Silver Skier Selection, but it’s certainly not just for the AARP crowd. It should not be overlooked as a premium women’s ski, as it’s size run includes lengths of 160cm and 166cm.

“This ski is amazing,” lauds Laurie Norman from Alta Ski Shop. “[It has a] massive sweet spot and performs well no matter where you stand it or what you do.” Its success at blending off-trail and technical attributes shows in its total scores, where its Finesse rating is only two-hundredths below its Power number. The Wingman 82 Cti proves that a Frontside ski can more than hold its own in most off-trail conditions. That a ski with this generous a performance envelope should most commonly retail at $599 is a deal without a downside.

Test Score Data

Total Score: 88.29
Early to Edge:
Continuous Carve:

Rebound/Turn Finish:

Stability/Accuracy @ Speed:
Short-radius Turning:
9.29
9.14
8.57
8.86
9.43
Off-piste Performance:
Low-speed Turning:
Forgiveness/Ease:
Drift/Scrub:
Finesse/Power Balance:
7.43
9.00
8.86
8.71
9.00