Elan Playmaker 111 — Review

The Elan Playmaker 111 is the line's powder specialist — a 111mm-waist twin-tip with Surf Rocker, Tubelite Woodcore and carbon rod reinforcement aimed at advanced skiers who want a deep-snow ski that can still hop, slash and ride switch on the way out. Available in 172 / 180 / 188cm, it broadens at the 188 — the longest length steps up to a 113mm waist and 144 / 134 tip/tail with a much longer 23.5m radius, a meaningful design choice for the highest-volume snow.

In soft snow the Playmaker 111 floats willingly thanks to the wide platform and generous Surf Rocker, but stays controllable thanks to the twin-tip geometry — it smears, slashes and lands switch in a way directional powder skis cannot. Through chopped-up afternoon snow and cut-up bowls the Tubelite Woodcore plus carbon rods damp things without making the ski feel dead.

On firmer surfaces it is a transit ski rather than a carver. The 18.0–19.0m radius in 172/180cm gives a manageable feel between off-piste zones; the 188cm jumps to a 23.5m radius and is best understood as a freeride-day specific tool rather than an everyday driver.

The Playmaker 111 uses a Tubelite Woodcore with 360° sidewall construction, carbon rod reinforcement and a sintered high-speed gliding base. The Surf Rocker profile combines tip and tail rocker with camber underfoot. Lengths run 172 / 180 / 188cm. The 172cm and 180cm share a 142-111-132 sidecut with 18.0m and 19.0m radius respectively; the 188cm steps up to 144-113-134 with a 23.5m radius. Single-ski weight 1690g at 172cm rising to 1890g at 188cm — moderate for a freestyle-leaning 111mm ski. The wider 188 is a clear "powder day" sizing rather than a continuation of the constant-shape pattern seen on the 91 and 101.

The Playmaker 111 is for advanced skiers who chase soft snow and want a playful, switch-capable platform under their feet. Compared to the Armada Arv 112 it shares freestyle-pow DNA with comparable width; against the K2 Reckoner 110 mens it is a touch more freeride-balanced and less park-only, and versus the Atomic Bent 110 it is comparably playful with a slightly longer turn shape in the 188cm.

Pros

• 111mm waist and Surf Rocker deliver strong float in deep, soft snow.
• Twin-tip geometry makes switch rides and slash landings possible at this width.
• Tubelite woodcore and carbon rods keep weight moderate for a 111mm ski.
• 188cm length steps wider for serious deep-snow specialty days.

Cons

• 23.5m radius on the 188cm makes it a powder-day tool rather than a daily driver.
• Limited to three lengths — fewer options than the narrower Playmakers.
• Not a hardpack carver and not intended for that role.
• Mid-weight rather than touring-light — better lift-served than skinned.

Verdict: A playful 111mm twin-tip powder ski that brings switch and slash capability to deep-snow days — the line's specialist tool when the storm hits, with a notably wider, longer-radius 188cm for the deepest conditions.