Ace sc5 review

Overview

The Elan Ace SC5 is a new 26/27 on-piste sport-carver and part of Elan's reworked ACE Carving 2.0 line, where the SC naming replaces the old Ace Pro and Ace Speed Magic Pro badges. With a 72 mm waist and a single Mono Ti titanal layer, it sits as the friendliest metal tier in the range — one step below the dual-titanal SC7. It is aimed at intermediate-to-advanced piste skiers who want grip and stability without the full demands of a race-room ski.

On-snow performance

The 127/72/110 sidecut and a radius that runs from 10.7 m at 144 cm to 14.7 m at 179 cm point to a ski that is happiest linking medium-radius carved turns. Full camber underfoot should deliver consistent edge pressure and dependable grip on firm groomers, while the TractionTip early-rise tip is designed to ease turn initiation and reduce catch. With one titanal sheet rather than two, expect a calmer, more accessible ride than a full-race plate — planted enough to hold a line, but not so stiff that it punishes a skier who isn't driving hard. The Active Suspension Drive shock absorbers are meant to damp chatter, so on paper the SC5 should stay composed as speeds build across choppy afternoon snow.

Construction & specs explained

Under the topsheet is a Power Woodcore paired with RST (Racing) Sidewall Technology, a sidewall build that transmits energy directly to the edge for cleaner grip. The single Mono Ti titanal layer is the key tier marker: it adds torsional stability and dampening over a wood-only cap ski, but keeps the ski more forgiving than the twin-metal SC7. Elan's Active Suspension Drive — the Carving 2.0 integrated shock absorbers — targets vibration, and the TractionTip adds a touch of early rise at the tip. Six lengths from 144 to 179 cm, all sharing the 127/72/110 geometry, and it ships as a system ski with the EL 10.0 GW Shift binding.

Who it's for & comparisons

The SC5 replaces the Elan Ace pro, so existing Elan carvers are the natural cross-shop. Against the Salomon S max 10 it lands at a similar mid tier — both 72 mm system carvers pitched at improving piste skiers rather than racers. Step up to the Head Supershape e magnum and you get a more premium, demanding frontside tool; the Ace SC5 trades some of that top-end bite for an easier, more approachable character. Choose it if you want dependable groomer grip with a friendlier learning curve.

Pros, cons and verdict

Pros

• Single Mono Ti layer adds stability while staying approachable.
• Short-to-medium radius suits energetic medium-radius carving.
• Full camber and TractionTip balance grip with easy initiation.
• Six lengths from 144 to 179 cm cover a wide range of skiers.
• Active Suspension Drive should keep chatter in check at speed.

Cons

• 72 mm waist is strictly a piste width — not for soft snow or off-piste.
• Single titanal gives up some high-speed bite to dual-metal rivals.
• Sold as a system ski, so the EL 10.0 GW Shift binding is locked in.
• Improver-focused character may feel tame to aggressive experts.

Verdict The Elan Ace SC5 is a well-judged mid-tier sport-carver: enough metal for confident grip and stability, but tuned to stay forgiving for intermediate-to-advanced skiers moving up the piste ladder.