Elan Primetime n2 w — Review

The Elan Primetime N°2 W is the entry-tier system carver in Elan’s women’s Primetime line for the 26-27 season. It pairs a 127/73/111 mm sidecut with the asymmetric Amphibio profile and ships with the Shift X plate plus an EL 9.0 GW or Protector SHIFT 10.0 GW binding pre-mounted. Available in 144, 151, 158 and 165 cm, it targets intermediate skiers who want a forgiving frontside ski that still rewards a clean edge change. As a fully integrated plate-and-binding system, it is built for lift-served piste and inbounds variable snow, not for touring.

On groomers the N°2 W initiates short to medium turns with very little input thanks to its 9.1 m radius at 144 cm and 11.1 m at 158 cm. The Amphibio profile keeps a long contact patch on the inside edge for grip while the rockered outside edge lets the tail release smoothly, which masks tip dive on rough cord and forgiving recovery moves. Stability tops out at moderate speeds — the Mono Ti layer adds enough damping for confident intermediate carving but the soft chassis flutters when pushed hard on icy runs. Off-piste capability is limited; the narrow 73 mm waist and on-piste construction make crud, slush bumps and shallow powder a survival exercise rather than a feature.

The N°2 W uses a Power Woodcore with a single Mono Ti reinforcement layer for damping without adding mid-tier stiffness. RST (Racing Sidewall Technology) full sidewalls provide direct power transfer to the edge at the cost of some weight, and the Sintered High Speed gliding base holds wax well for cold conditions. The Shift X plate locks the binding into Elan’s integrated interface and slightly lifts the ski underfoot for leverage. Radii step from 9.1 m at 144 to 12.2 m at 165, so length choice meaningfully changes turn character. We have one verified per-ski weight of roughly 1620 g at 158 cm without binding from a retailer spec table; full per-length weights are not published.

Pick the N°2 W if you are an intermediate woman who skis mostly groomed runs at resorts, wants a forgiving short-radius carver and prefers the simplicity of a pre-mounted system. Skip it if you ski above expert pace, leave the piste regularly or want to use a binding of your own. The men’s parallel is the Elan Primetime 22, which shares the chassis but ships in longer 151–179 cm lengths and runs a touch stiffer. Within the women’s line, the next step up is the Elan Primetime n3 w, which adds composure for advancing skiers. Outside Elan, the Head Supershape e v5 is a similar-waist frontside option with a brighter, more rebound-forward feel.

Pros

• Forgiving Amphibio profile makes turn initiation easy.
• Short radius at 144–158 cm suits quick groomed-run skiing.
• Mono Ti adds welcome damping for an entry-tier ski.
• Pre-mounted Shift X system removes binding setup hassle.
• Four lengths from 144 cm cover small to average frames.

Cons

• Loses composure at expert speeds on hard snow.
• Narrow 73 mm waist limits off-piste usefulness.
• Integrated plate rules out aftermarket binding swaps.
• No tour mode — strictly a resort piste ski.
• Single-Ti layup will feel underbuilt to strong carvers.

Verdict: A friendly, low-effort women’s short-radius carver that lets intermediates progress without overwhelming them, but advancing skiers will outgrow it before the season ends.