Ace sc9+ review

Overview

The Elan Ace SC9+ is the wider 74 mm carver in the brand's ACE Carving 2.0 line, a premium piste ski for the 2026/27 season. With a 130/74/110 mm sidecut held at every length and a single Mono Ti titanal layer over a Race Frame Woodcore, it targets the confident, technique-focused frontside skier who wants precise edge grip without stepping up to a full race plate. It sits a touch wider than the 72 mm SC5/SC7 and one tier below the dual-titanal SC11+.

On-snow performance

On paper this is a directional, grip-first carver. The full-camber base — traditional camber underfoot with continuous tip-to-tail edge contact — should lay a long, quiet edge on hardpack and deliver the hooky bite that defines the category. The radius runs from a tight 10.5 m in the 144 to 15.4 m in the 179, so short lengths promise quick, slalom-like turn initiation while the longer skis stretch toward a rounder, more stable arc. A single sheet of titanal plus the Active Suspension Drive damping (Elan's Carving 2.0 integrated shock absorbers) points to a calm, chatter-resistant platform through the turn, and the TractionTip is designed to keep the shovel tracking rather than deflecting. Expect an energetic but manageable ski: agile enough to release cleanly, damp enough to hold a line at speed. The 74 mm waist adds a little float and forgiveness over narrower race-room carvers, though this remains firmly a groomer tool — the low-profile freeride and powder character means soft snow and off-piste are not where it wants to be.

Construction & specs explained

The Ace SC9+ is built on a Race Frame Woodcore with a single Mono Ti titanal layer, giving it metal-carver stability without the extra mass and demand of the dual-titanal SC11+. RST (Racing) Sidewall Technology transmits energy to the edge for direct grip, while Active Suspension Drive — Elan's Carving 2.0 integrated shock absorbers — works with the TractionTip to filter vibration. The full-camber profile keeps the edge engaged from tip to tail. Six lengths (144, 151, 158, 165, 172, 179 cm) cover junior-to-adult frames, and the ski ships as a system with the ELX 11.0 GW Shift binding.

Who it's for & comparisons

This is a ski for intermediate-to-advanced piste skiers who value clean, powerful carving on a 74 mm platform. Within Elan's own range it slots above the consumer-focused Elan Primetime 44+ and sits close to the premium Elan Primetime 55+ Black Edition, trading some of that line's identity for the ACE Carving 2.0 shock-absorber package. Against the Head Supershape e v5, a 74 mm all-round frontside carver, the Ace SC9+ leans more overtly toward grippy, damp carving. Cross-shoppers should also weigh the Rossignol Hero elite mt ti, another 74 mm titanal frontside ski in the same bracket.

Pros, cons and verdict

Pros

• Single Mono Ti titanal over a Race Frame Woodcore should deliver stable, precise edge grip.
• Full camber with continuous edge contact suits committed hardpack carving.
• Tight-to-medium radius range (10.5-15.4 m) offers versatile turn shapes across lengths.
• Active Suspension Drive damping and TractionTip point to a calm, chatter-resistant ride.
• Ships as a complete system with the ELX 11.0 GW Shift binding.

Cons

• Piste-focused geometry offers little in soft snow or off-piste.
• Rewards active, technical skiers more than casual cruisers.
• 74 mm waist is still narrow for anyone wanting all-mountain float.
• System binding limits mounting flexibility.
• One tier below the dual-titanal SC11+ for hard-charging experts.

Verdict The Elan Ace SC9+ is a polished, grip-first 74 mm carver for technique-minded piste skiers who want metal-backed stability and damping without a full race setup. If your days are spent on groomers and you value a precise, energetic edge, it deserves a place on the shortlist.