Elan Primetime n5 w black edition — Review

The Elan Primetime N°5 W Black Edition is the top tier of the women’s Primetime line for the 26-27 season. It uses a narrow 121/69/102 mm SL-race-style sidecut, the asymmetric Amphibio profile, and ships pre-mounted on the Shift X plate with an ELX 11.0 GW SHIFT or Protector SHIFT 11.0 GW binding. Available in 144, 151, 158, 165 and 172 cm — the only N° W ski to reach 172. Construction adds a second Ti layer plus UD Carbon over a Dual Density Woodcore, putting it firmly in expert/race-trained-skier territory. As an integrated system ski, it is built strictly for piste, never for touring or soft snow.

On firm groomed snow the N°5 W BE delivers the calmest, most decisive carve in the women’s Primetime line. The dual-Ti + UD Carbon layup over the Dual Density core damps chatter at speeds well above what the N°4 W+ can handle, and the 12.2–15.1 m radii from 151 to 172 favour clean medium-to-long arcs. Edge grip on ice is excellent thanks to the narrow 69 mm waist and full RST sidewalls. The shorter 144 cm with its 10 m radius keeps a slalom-style option open for smaller skiers. Off-piste it is uncompromising: the stiff, heavy chassis simply refuses to come around in soft snow and bucks in crud. Verified per-length weights with binding range from 2530 g at 144 cm to 2870 g at 172 cm (per single ski).

The N°5 W BE pairs a Dual Density Woodcore with a Dual Ti reinforcement (two titanal layers) plus a unidirectional carbon layer for torsional rigidity without disproportionate mass. RST (Racing Sidewall Technology) full sidewalls run edge to edge, and the base is a Sintered Race Structured High Speed Gliding base — the same race-derived base treatment found on Elan’s top SL models. The Shift X plate is mounted with the stiffer ELX 11.0 GW binding (DIN 3–11). Sidecut is 121/69/102 mm across all lengths; radii are 10.0 m at 144, 12.2 m at 151, 12.5 m at 158, 13.7 m at 165 and 15.1 m at 172. Snowcountry publishes verified per-length weights (with binding, per single ski): 2530/2585/2665/2760/2870 g.

Pick the N°5 W BE if you are an expert woman who carves hard at high speed on firm or icy groomers, want race-bred grip and stability and can absorb a stiff, heavy ski. Skip it if you ski mostly variable conditions, prefer easy short-turn play or want a binding of your own choice. The men’s parallel is the Elan Primetime 55 Black Edition, same construction in longer lengths. Within the women’s line, the step down is the Elan Primetime n4 w+. From other brands, the Head Supershape e speed is a similar-waist directional race-leaning option and the Head Worldcup rebels e sl pro sits next to it as a more uncompromising SL race ski.

Pros

• Dual Ti + UD Carbon delivers excellent damping at high speed.
• Race Structured base treatment glides hard on cold groomed snow.
• 121/69/102 SL-style sidecut grips firm snow predictably.
• Verified per-length weights from 2530 g at 144 to 2870 g at 172.
• Five lengths up to 172 cm cover taller experts.

Cons

• Stiff race-bred build punishes lazy or tired technique.
• 69 mm waist is unusable off-piste or in soft snow.
• High weight is heavy on lift loading and traverses.
• Integrated plate forces use of the included Shift X binding.
• Demands committed expert input to ski cleanly.

Verdict: The strongest carving tool in the women’s Primetime line, made for expert skiers who attack firm groomers at high speed and do not expect anything else from a single ski.