Elan Wingman 86 ti — Review

The Elan Wingman 86 ti is the all-mountain titanal carver at the wide end of the Wingman line. With an 86 mm waist, dedicated left/right Amphibio profile, a mono-Ti laminate over a paulownia-leaning laminated woodcore and SST sidewalls, it is positioned as the do-everything resort ski: it carves cleanly on hard snow but has enough float and width to handle soft snow, chop and shallow off-piste. The Fusion X system binding is included, so the ski is built to be ridden as a complete chassis, not adapted for touring.

On groomers the 86 ti delivers a stable, planted ride. Initiation off the rockered outside edge is smooth, the cambered inside edge holds firm through the arc and the mono-Ti laminate damps speed-induced chatter. The radius runs 13 to 17 m across 152, 160, 168, 174 and 182 cm, which favours medium to long carved arcs while staying maneuverable in the shorter sizes. In chopped or refrozen snow the 86 mm waist plows through the bumps better than the 83 ti, and the slight tip taper helps deflection. It is not a full freeride ski — float in deep powder is limited and the tail still finishes turns with carve-ski snap rather than freestyle slash — but it covers the broadest range of resort conditions in the Wingman line.

The 86 ti uses a Laminated Woodcore with ultralight paulownia inserts, a single mono-Ti sheet positioned over the cambered inside edge via PowerLine Technology, SST (Slanted Sidewall Technology) sidewalls and a sintered high-speed gliding base. Amphibio profile means each ski has a dedicated rockered outside edge and cambered inside edge, making the pair non-interchangeable. The Fusion X system binding plate ships with the package, which is why the touring score is at the floor.

Advanced intermediates and advanced skiers who want one ski for mostly resort use across mixed conditions. Compared to the Elan Wingman 83 ti (also new in this batch) it is steadier in chop and a hair more powder tolerant, trading some on-piste quickness for width. Against the Nordica Enforcer 88 it is more piste-oriented and lighter on the outside edge thanks to Amphibio. Versus the Head Kore 88 Ti the Elan is heavier and damper, less touring-friendly but more authoritative at speed.

Pros

• Wide-enough 86 mm waist handles chop and shallow off-piste runs.
• Long sweet spot and damp feel from mono-Ti.
• Amphibio profile keeps initiation accessible despite the metal.
• Versatile 13-17 m radius across five lengths.
• Strong directional carver on hard snow despite the all-mountain brief.

Cons

• Fusion X system plate rules out touring.
• Limited float in true deep powder.
• Tail finishes with carve snap rather than freestyle slash.
• Premium price tier vs the carbon Wingmans.

Verdict: A capable titanal all-mountain ski that bridges firm-snow carving and mixed-condition resort use better than any other Wingman variant. Best for advanced skiers who want a single resort ski for everything except deep days and touring.