Elan Element 78 w — Review

The Elan Element 78 w is the wider women's option of Elan's Element line — same accessible mono woodcore chassis as the Element 74 w but with a broader 75-78 mm waist that stretches the ski's range from pure groomers into the edges of the piste. With Elan's Early Rise Rocker, EST sidewall construction and the integrated Shift X plate paired with an EL 9.0 GW SHIFT binding (DIN 2.5-9), it remains a system ski and sits in the same progression segment as the 74 w, just shifted slightly toward mixed snow.

On groomed snow the Element 78 w feels almost as quick to initiate as the 74 w but with a calmer, more planted feel at moderate speed thanks to the wider platform. The Early Rise Rocker still does most of the work at turn entry — easy, catch-free and forgiving — and the WaveMotion wave-shaped flex profile keeps the ski composed in shorter to medium-radius arcs. When the snow gets cut up, slushy or lightly variable, the extra waist of the 78 w pays off: it floats higher than the 74 w and shrugs off chop better. It still has no metal layer, so it tops out before a Primetime-tier chassis on icy steep groomers, and the extruded base glides a little less than a sintered one in dry, cold snow.

The Element 78 w uses a single-layer Mono Woodcore with fiberglass reinforcement and EST sidewall construction (Extended Sidewall Technology), Elan's hybrid that puts a sidewall under the binding zone for grip and caps the tip and tail for protection. The base is extruded — durable, low-maintenance and a touch slower than sintered. Geometry steps up across the length range: 125-75-102 mm at 144 cm, 126-76-103 mm in the middle, and 127-78-104 mm at the longest two lengths. Sidecut radii run from a tight 10.6 m at 144 cm out to 16.9 m at 176 cm. Profile is Early Rise Rocker with camber underfoot.

The Element 78 w suits progressing intermediate women who want a single ski that handles morning groomers and end-of-day soft snow without changing setups. Against the Elan Element 74 w the 78 w is a touch slower edge-to-edge but noticeably better in mixed snow. Compared to the Elan Primetime n2 w — Elan's premium women's frontside entry — the Element 78 w gives up sharpness and top-end grip but is more forgiving and more flexible off the groomed edge. Skiers who want a heavier, more authoritative version of the same chassis should look at the Elan Element 78 Ti w RS, which adds a titanal layer for serious bite.

Pros

• Wider 75-78 mm waist for better float in chop and soft snow than the 74 w.
• WaveMotion and Early Rise Rocker keep turn entry catch-free.
• System ski: Shift X plate and EL 9.0 GW SHIFT binding included.
• Friendly progression price tier.

Cons

• No metal layer limits top-end edge grip on icy or steep groomers.
• Extruded base is slower than sintered when the snow is dry.
• Not a true off-piste ski — handles edges, not whole faces.
• Outgrown by skiers reaching advanced piste levels.

Verdict: A friendly do-most-things piste ski for progressing women who want a little more snow tolerance than the 74 w gives. Step up to the 78 Ti w RS for sharper grip and a stronger chassis.