Elan Wingman 78 c — Review

The Wingman 78 C is the narrowest, most accessible model in Elan's relaunched Wingman line — a frontside system ski built for progressing skiers who want carving to feel easy. It pairs Elan's asymmetrical Amphibio profile with a Power Woodcore and a single layer of carbon, and ships as a package on the Shift X plate with an EL 10.0 GW Shift binding (DIN 3-10). With a 110 mm tail behind a 78-80 mm waist, the sidecut is deep and the radii short: 10.8 m at 152 cm up to just 14.4 m at 174 cm.

The Amphibio idea is simple: each ski has a cambered inside edge for grip and a rockered outside edge for forgiveness, so there is a dedicated left and right ski. That profile makes turn initiation unusually low-effort — the rockered outside edge releases smoothly while the cambered inside edge holds once the ski is on its edge. Combined with the tight radius, the 78 C wants to link short and medium turns all day. The carbon-light build keeps swing weight low and the ski manageable at moderate speeds, which is exactly what an advancing beginner or intermediate needs; pushed harder on firm snow it stays predictable rather than race-ski damp.

Elan builds the 78 C around a Power Woodcore with one carbon layer to cut weight, reinforced by PowerLine Technology — layers of reinforcement placed lengthwise along the cambered inside edge, exactly where the Amphibio profile loads the ski. An RST sidewall (Racing Sidewall Technology) handles power transmission and a sintered high-speed base handles glide. Dimensions run 126-78-110 mm at 152 cm, 126-79-110 at 160, 127-79-110 at 168 and 127-80-110 at 174, with radii of 10.8 / 12.4 / 13.0 / 14.4 m. The included Shift X system with the EL 10.0 GW Shift binding covers DIN 3-10 and is GripWalk-compatible.

This is a ski for advancing beginners through intermediates who spend their days on groomed runs and want a stable platform that rewards progression rather than punishing mistakes. Against the K2 Disruption 78C — the closest match on paper, a carbon frontside carver at the same waist — the Elan counters with its Amphibio asymmetry for easier edge-to-edge transitions. The Head Kore x 78 lyt pr is the lighter all-mountain take on the same width, a bit more versatile off the groomed but less of a dedicated carver. And the Salomon Stance 80 offers a touch more width and a calmer, more directional all-mountain feel.

Pros

• Amphibio profile makes turn initiation genuinely easy and forgiving.
• Deep sidecut and short radii reward carving practice at moderate speeds.
• Lightweight carbon construction keeps swing weight and fatigue low.
• Complete system package with GripWalk-compatible EL 10.0 GW Shift binding.

Cons

• Tops out at 174 cm, so taller skiers run out of length.
• DIN 3-10 system binding caps the package for heavy or aggressive experts.
• Premounted plate rules out touring conversions or custom binding choices.
• At 78-80 mm underfoot it gives up versatility in fresh or churned snow.

Verdict: The Wingman 78 C is the gateway into Elan's Wingman line — an easy-carving, confidence-building frontside package for skiers progressing from their first parallel turns toward properly carved arcs.