The new Wingman series from Elan is a fusion of its on-trail Amphibio models and off-trail Ripsticks. The bias of the new collection is intentionally tilted toward carving groomers, an acknowledgement that most “all-terrain” skiers spend the majority of their time on prepared slopes.  The top four models are designed to fit four distinct price points, at $649, $599, $499 and $399.  The Wingman 86 Ti is slotted into the $499 position, where it represents an exceptional value. (BTW, the Wingman 82 Ti is the best deal of 2020 at $399.)

A ski that’s built to fit into a $499 price is going to have a tough time competing against skis costing an additional $200+ at retail, which is the only reason the Wingman 86 Ti didn’t quite rise to the level of a Recommended model. The All-Mountain East genre is stocked with elite talent, including the Wingman 86 Ti’s more powerful big brother, the Wingman 86 CTi. But none of our Recommended AME models offer the cost/value relationship of the Wingman 86 Ti, which earns the distinction of the best buy in the entire genre.