Elan Element 74 RS w — Review

The Elan Element 74 RS w is the sportier women's frontside option of Elan's Element line — geometry of the regular Element 74 w but with a dual woodcore and a sintered base for more edge bite and faster glide. With a 74 mm waist, the same 140-176 cm length range and the integrated Shift X plate paired with an EL 9.0 GW SHIFT binding (DIN 2.5-9), it slots one notch above the entry Element 74 w and below the Primetime women's line. It remains a system ski.

On groomed snow the RS w trades a bit of the entry model's softness for sharper carving feedback. The Early Rise Rocker still keeps turn initiation friendly, but the dual woodcore stays calmer in longer arcs and resists wash-out when leaned harder. It still has no metal layer, so it caps out before a Primetime-style chassis on icy steep groomers, but for confident intermediates it covers most piste days at moderate to brisker speeds. The sintered base glides noticeably better than the extruded base on the standard 74 w, especially in dry, cold snow. Off-piste behaviour is similar to the entry model — competent on the edge of the run, not built for chop or powder.

The RS w uses a Dual Woodcore — a two-layer wood lay-up that gives more torsional stiffness than the single-layer Mono Woodcore — with fiberglass reinforcement. Sidewall construction is Full Power Cap and the base is sintered High Speed Gliding, which holds wax better and gives faster glide than the standard extruded base. Geometry is held constant across lengths at 122-74-103 mm; only the radius changes — from a tight 10.3 m at 140 cm out to 17.1 m at 176 cm. Profile is Early Rise Rocker with camber underfoot. The ski is sold in White and Black colorways with no chassis differences.

This is the right pick for an improving intermediate woman who wants a frontside ski that grows with her without jumping straight into a premium chassis. Against the Elan Element 74 w the RS w is firmer, more precise and gives back faster on longer turns. Compared to the Elan Primetime n3 w — the next price tier up — it is a touch softer, a little more forgiving on initiation but clearly less authoritative on ice. Skiers leaning into the Primetime range and considering crossover should pair this against the Elan Primetime n2 w, where the Primetime entry trades the system-friendly feel for a more refined frontside chassis.

Pros

• Dual woodcore plus sintered base for sharper, faster groomer feel than the entry Element.
• Same forgiving Early Rise Rocker keeps turn initiation accessible.
• Wide length range — covers small to tall improving intermediates.
• System ski: Shift X plate and EL 9.0 GW SHIFT binding included.

Cons

• No metal layer caps top-end grip on icy or steep groomers.
• Narrow 74 mm waist offers little reach off-piste.
• Slightly heavier and less playful than the standard Element 74 w.
• Outgrown by skiers reaching an advanced piste level.

Verdict: A clear step up from the entry Element 74 w for women who already ski groomers comfortably and want a chassis that won't be outgrown next season. Look at the Primetime n2/n3 w when icy edge bite becomes the priority.