Elan Playmaker 91 — Review

The Elan Playmaker 91 is the freestyle/jib sweet spot of Elan's twin-tip line. A 91mm waist sits in the most versatile all-mountain width band, and a constant 122-91-116 sidecut across every length — from 156cm up to 188cm — signals that this ski is built around symmetry and switch riding first, all-mountain second. Surf Rocker, Tubelite Woodcore and carbon rods complete a recipe aimed at riders who treat the resort as a park and the park as a playground.

Because the sidecut is constant length-to-length, the turn radius scales from 15.0m at 156cm to 19.5m at 188cm — a clean choice that lets each rider tune ski size to their style rather than to a target turn shape. The Surf Rocker profile floats and pivots more readily than a pure cambered ski, smearing in soft snow and absorbing rough landings. Carbon rod reinforcement gives the Tubelite Woodcore a snappy pop on take-off without making the ski feel demanding.

On groomers it carves with a relaxed mid-radius feel — predictable rather than racy — and it accepts switch riding as naturally as forward, which is the whole point. Hopping side hits, buttering rollers and slashing soft snow are where it shines.

The Playmaker 91 uses a Tubelite Woodcore with 360° sidewall construction (pyramidal sidewalls running the length of the ski), carbon rod reinforcement and a sintered high-speed gliding base. The Surf Rocker profile combines tip and tail rocker with camber underfoot. Lengths run 156 / 164 / 172 / 180 / 188cm; sidecut 122-91-116 at every length; single-ski weight 1290g at 156cm rising to 1640g at 188cm — light to mid for a 91mm twin-tip. Tip and tail widths are intentionally close (122 / 116) — a twin-tip symmetry choice, not a typo.

The Playmaker 91 is for freestyle-inclined intermediates and advanced skiers — park sessions, switch riding, side hits, and a versatile width for everyday resort use. Compared to the Armada Arv 94 it is slightly narrower and lighter, with very similar Surf Rocker / twin-tip DNA. Against the Head Oblivion 94 it is a touch narrower with the same playful intent, and versus the Faction Prodigy 1 it sits in the same park-leaning all-mountain pocket with a constant-sidecut layout.

Pros

• Constant 122-91-116 sidecut makes switch riding feel completely natural.
• Tubelite woodcore and carbon rods deliver snappy pop without a demanding flex.
• Surf Rocker tip and tail forgive sloppy landings and reward smear-style turns.
• Wide 156–188cm length range covers everyone from compact park riders to taller all-mountain freestyle skiers.

Cons

• Not a carver — relaxed mid-radius feel rather than edge-locked precision.
• 91mm waist is too narrow for deep snow specialty days.
• Surf Rocker profile sacrifices some hardpack edge hold at high speeds.
• Best appreciated by riders who actually use the switch capability.

Verdict: The line's freestyle sweet spot — a 91mm twin-tip with symmetric sidecut and Tubelite construction that delivers honest park-and-mountain versatility without compromising on switch feel.