Elan Element 74 RS — Review

The Elan Element 74 RS is the sharper, more responsive sibling of the Element 74 — same outline, same length range (140 to 176 cm), but a dual woodcore, a sintered high-speed base and the slightly stronger EL 10.0 GW SHIFT binding (DIN 3-10) on the Shift X plate push it into solid intermediate territory. It still sits below Elan's premium Primetime line in price and absolute precision, but as a system frontside ski it gives a progressing skier a meaningful step up in grip and stability.

On groomed snow the RS holds its line better than the standard Element 74. The dual woodcore is stiffer through the body of the ski, so the ski stays calmer at higher speeds and resists chattering when the surface gets icier. Early Rise Rocker and GrooveTip Technology are unchanged, so turn initiation remains smooth and forgiving, but the longer effective edge once you load it gives a more carved feel. Off the groomer it remains a piste tool: the narrow waist, system binding and frontside geometry are not built for powder or rough variable terrain. The sintered base also glides faster than the extruded base on the standard Element 74, which is the kind of detail intermediates start to notice.

The chassis is built around a Dual Woodcore (two complementary wood species rather than a single block) with fiberglass reinforcement; no titanal layer is listed by Elan. Sidewall remains Full Power Cap. The base is the Sintered High Speed Gliding base — the meaningful upgrade over the entry version. Geometry is identical to the Element 74: constant 122-74-103 mm across the length range, with radius growing from 10.3 m at 140 cm to 17.1 m at 176 cm. Profile is Early Rise Rocker with camber underfoot. Binding is the EL 10.0 GW SHIFT (DIN 3-10) on the Shift X plate.

This is the right pick for solid intermediates who have already left the rental phase and want a piste ski that responds when they push the edge. Compared to the Elan Primetime 22 it is still a step below in materials — no metal — and gives up sharpness, but for the price gap it is the more pragmatic choice. Next to the Elan Wingman 78 c the Element 74 RS is narrower, more carving-biased and slightly stiffer; the Wingman is the more playful all-mountain option. Skiers who want the same chassis at a wider waist for mixed conditions should look at the Elan Element 78.

Pros

• Dual woodcore adds welcome stiffness and edge hold over the standard Element 74.
• Sintered base is faster than the extruded base on the entry version.
• System ski with stronger EL 10.0 GW SHIFT binding suits more powerful intermediates.
• Same forgiving Early Rise Rocker keeps turn initiation easy.

Cons

• Still no metal layer — top-end edge grip is below dedicated frontside titanal skis.
• 74 mm waist limits use off groomed runs.
• Stiffer build is less rewarding for very light or beginner skiers.
• Step up to Primetime tier brings noticeably more precision for the extra spend.

Verdict: The natural next step for a progressing intermediate who is outgrowing the Element 74 but is not ready to jump to a titanal-reinforced Primetime.