Elan Ace speed magic pro — Review

The Elan Ace speed magic pro is the more accessible women's race-carve in the Speed Magic family. Elan describes it as built "on the same geometry of the Speed Magic SLX, but a touch lighter," and the spec sheet bears that out: 144 / 152 / 160 / 168 / 175 cm lengths, a constant 123/72/106 sidecut and turn radii from 10.2 m to 15.4 m. The integrated Shift X system on the Fusion X plate puts touring at the system-ski floor.

The narrow 72 mm waist, full camber underfoot with Early Rise Rocker at the tip and tail, and Elan's RST race sidewall deliver clean frontside edge engagement on groomers. Compared to the heavier-construction Speed Magic SLX, the pro feels a touch more accessible at moderate speeds because of the lighter titanal layout — the same shape, less metal. The radii are short enough (10.2-15.4 m) for race-style short turns yet long enough to let the ski breathe through medium-radius arcs. Off-piste capability is minimal and the touring score is the system-ski floor.

The pro shares the 72 mm Dual Woodcore platform with fibreglass reinforcement and a Race Structured high-speed base. The differentiator versus the Speed Magic SLX is a single layer of titanal rather than dual, which is what Elan markets as "a touch lighter" and aimed at "comfort and precision for all-day enjoyment." The same Shift X / Fusion X system is fitted, and the five-length range is identical to the men's Ace pro — the two skis share geometry but are tuned to slightly different stiffness targets.

The Ace speed magic pro suits advanced women piste skiers who want a true race-carve feel without the demand of the full-titanal Speed Magic SLX. Within the brand it sits between Elan Primetime n4 w+ and the top-tier Elan Primetime n5 w black edition in race-carve intent, and tracks the men's Elan Ace pro in shape and tuning philosophy. Across brands, Head Porsche w series and the directional Rossignol Hero elite mt ti are useful reference points for women looking at mid-stiffness frontside carve.

Pros

• Same Speed Magic geometry as the SLX but lighter, giving a more accessible all-day feel.
• Short to mid radii (10.2-15.4 m) suit both quick short turns and longer GS-style arcs.
• Five-length range from 144 to 175 cm fits a wide span of advanced women.

Cons

• Less torsional bite than the Dual Ti SLX, so very strong skiers may want more metal.
• Strong piste bias; the 72 mm waist and frontside shape are not for soft snow or chop.
• Integrated Shift X system limits binding choice and adds total weight.

Verdict: A well-judged step down from the full-titanal Speed Magic SLX — same shape, lighter tune — for advanced women who want a piste carver they can ride all day without giving up race-style edge feel.