Ace sc11+ review

Overview

The Ace SC11+ sits at the very top of Elan's ACE consumer carving line and is the flagship of the 74 mm SC shape. It keeps the same 130/74/110 geometry and 144-179 cm length range as the SC9+, but swaps in two Dual Ti titanal layers to become the stiffest, most damped and most demanding ski of the group. This is an expert frontside carver, aimed at strong pilots who want race-adjacent grip on hard groomers.

On-snow performance

On paper the SC11+ reads as a precision tool for firm pistes. Full camber underfoot means continuous tip-to-tail edge contact, so the shape should bite early and hold a clean line through the whole arc rather than washing at the tail. The tight 10.5 m minimum radius points to eager short-radius turns, while the 15.4 m long-radius figure lets it stretch into faster GS-style carves — a genuinely wide radius window for a 74 mm ski. Two titanal layers sandwiching the core suggest a stiff, planted chassis that damps chatter and stays composed at speed, and the Active Suspension Drive shock absorbers are designed to keep the tip tracking on choppy, end-of-day snow. The trade-off the numbers imply is demand: this is a ski that wants to be driven, and the low playfulness and expert-level stiffness suggest it will feel like too much under a hesitant or lighter skier. Off-piste range is minimal — the 74 mm waist and frontside design are built for edge, not float.

Construction & specs explained

The SC11+ is built on a Race Frame Woodcore reinforced by two Dual Ti titanal layers, one above and one below the core, which is what separates it from the single-Ti SC9+ and pushes it to the top of the range. RST (Racing) Sidewall Technology transmits edge inputs directly, and the Active Suspension Drive system — Elan's Carving 2.0 integrated shock absorbers — works with the TractionTip to calm vibration at the front of the ski. Geometry is 130 mm tip / 74 mm waist / 110 mm tail with a 10.5-15.4 m radius range, in lengths 144, 151, 158, 165, 172 and 179 cm. It ships as a system with the race-level EMX 12.0 GW Fusion X binding.

Who it's for & comparisons

This is a ski for the expert piste skier who carves hard and can put a stiff, damped platform to work. Within Elan, the Elan Primetime 55+ Black Edition is the closest premium Dual Ti sibling on the same 74 mm platform. Against the Rossignol Hero elite mt ti it plays in the same 74 mm titanal frontside space with a comparably demanding, race-derived brief. If you want a more forgiving all-round frontside carver on the same width, the Head Supershape e v5 is the softer, more accessible alternative — where the SC11+ commits to expert-level grip and stability.

Pros, cons and verdict

Pros

• Two Dual Ti titanal layers point to a stiff, well-damped platform for high-speed edge hold.
• Full camber gives continuous edge contact for clean, secure carves.
• Wide 10.5-15.4 m radius window covers short slalom-style turns through to faster GS arcs.
• Active Suspension Drive and TractionTip target vibration on rough, end-of-day snow.
• Ships ready to ski with the race-level EMX 12.0 GW Fusion X binding.

Cons

• Expert-level stiffness demands a strong, committed skier — punishing when coasted.
• Low playfulness; not forgiving at slow speeds or for lighter pilots.
• 74 mm waist and frontside design offer almost no off-piste float.
• Integrated system binding rules out touring and freestyle use.
• Top-tier chassis sits at the premium end of the ACE price ladder.

Verdict: The Ace SC11+ is the expert peak of Elan's ACE carving line — a stiff, Dual Ti frontside weapon for strong piste skiers who want race-level grip, provided you can drive it.