2024 Elan Playmaker 101 - SkiEssentials.com Ski Test

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[@moritz7786]

First of all thanks for the great review! And second i wanted to ask you if this ski is good for a first ski to buy what i mean by that is can i actually train with theese to get better at skiing at all first and then going more into park and freestyle area ?

[@SkiEssentials]

This is a great ski to progress on because it's so light and easy to turn. I would say that the Playmaker 91 might be an even better option as it's narrower and even more user friendly. If you anticipate being in softer snow a lot, then sure, the 101 will have more upside, but if you're mainly sticking to the groomers and the on-piste zones, the 91 might be a more useful choice.

[@robertvilter9196]

Would love to hear your comparison of the Playmaker 101 vs Unleashed 98. I’m 6’, 175-180 lbs and generally prefer a 180 cm ski. Would a 180 in both of these ski likely be a good fit? Thanks!

[@SkiEssentials]

There's a lot more power, stability, and confidence in the Unleashed. The Playmaker is considerably lighter and more mobile, but it does come at the expense of stability and carving ability. For better and easier float, the Elan is superior, so it depends on what you're looking to do more of the time. 180 sounds right in either!

[@barrymoore8279]

Hey! i’m 6’0 and 145 pounds, I mostly ride skis 180+ but I want a ski to learn to flip and throw quicker tricks on. I feel as though the 188 would be a little too long, but the ski is very light and maybe could use that length to gain some more stability. I think I will try and demo it, but if i’m unable to. Your advice would be amazing. For reference, I ride a sakana in a 181, I love the charginess but the ski feels too long. Do you think the swing weight is light?

[@SkiEssentials]

I'm 6/2 225 and liked the 180 but LOVED the 188. Personally I think this ski works better with more material. It measures true to size but does feel slightly short as it is light and has easy swing weight. I'd lean to the 188 in this ski.

[@NanoM4]

Hey Guys nice review i think about to buy this ski but im not sure with the size, i am 171cm with 209lbs and a expert skier should i go with the 172 or the 180?

[@SkiEssentials]

I'd go 180 since they're pretty light. I didn't love the 180 at 6/2 but when I got on the 188, it all made sense.

[@NorthSideCoop]

Firstly love all the reviews from you guys. Secondly I’ve just got a quick sizing question. Im 6’0 and about 170 lbs and traditionally ride skis in the 182-186 range as I have a set of Bent Chetler 120s at 184 and Armada Arv 106s at 186 but I ride my park skis shorter at like 178 so as a daily driver I’m torn between 180 and 188. Any major differences from your guys experience in using them in those waist widths?

[@SkiEssentials]

Personally, at 6/2 225, I had minimal affinity for the 180. When I got on the 188, the ski came alive. Jeff is 5/10 and finds the 180 to be right on the money, as he's normally in that range. I think if you're okay with an ARV in the 186, the Elan in the 188 is a good choice.

[@NorthSideCoop]

@@SkiEssentials Awesome thank you so much for the quick response watching your guys reviews makes my day!

[@sadbread2519]

What about for pow, how does it perform in deep pow

[@SkiEssentials]

It's actually a very competent floater. I really started to like this ski in the 188, and in that length, you can tell that the surf rocker is a real thing and makes a lot of sense.

[@yirequ2150]

Appreciate the review. I'm thinking about getting these or the Armada ARV 116 jj for the upcoming season and having one of those as my go-to, everyday pair... what's your guys take on that? Im also wondering about how the 101s perform in powder (because i do ski a good amount of 20-30cm powder, though rarely more than 40cm) & if I can use them as "all mountain skis" in Europe, Switzerland. Furthermore, im curious about what size of the playmakers you would recommend for me as an advanced-expert skier at 183cm & 90kgs (for reference I ski only at alpine resorts, where I am on the piste / in the park 30% of the time, and I'm off-piste freeriding about 70% of the time)

[@SkiEssentials]

I think the Elan is a great floater--go long to the 188 in this ski as they are on the lighter side of the spectrum.

[@sorenlines8695]

Which ski is better bent 100, or playmaker 101

[@SkiEssentials]

Totally subjective! Playmaker has more responsiveness and grip. Bent is more flexible and is a wonderful tree ski.

[@oskarfreeski]

⁠@@SkiEssentialswhat do you mean by grip? If you dont mind me asking

[@Krilid10]

@@oskarfreeskihe means that it has a better grip on the snow and the surface you’re on. When it’s icy and very hard snow, it will be easier to ski it because you won’t be slipping or loosing control as easily as a ski with less grip.

[@oskarfreeski]

@@Krilid10 but it dosent make sense, the playmaker 101 has way more rocker than bent 100

[@Krilid10]

@@oskarfreeski idk why they say that but there’s more things giving a ski more grip. I know the torsional stiffness has a lot to do with it

[@connorhagerty9049]

Hi guys. I’m an expert skier at 5’8 170. I ski a 174 length declivity 82ti and want to add this to my quiver as a fun soft snow ski. I’m torn between 172 and 180. I keep hearing that this skis short. Is this true? I want it to be maneuverable and fun, but not sacrifice too much stability. Thoughts?

[@SkiEssentials]

It doesn't ski short like the Ripstick skis short--Playmaker runs true to length. They are light, though, and that could be part of the discussion about length. I don't think the 180 will feel too long as a result, especially if you're satisfied with the 174 in the Declivity. Playmaker will still be maneuverable at the 180.

[@connorhagerty9049]

@@SkiEssentials thanks so much for the quick reply!! I was leaning towards 180 and really needed this confirmation. Love the channel btw!!

[@connorhagerty9049]

@@SkiEssentials one last question. I have an old pair of look pivots from 2017 that are currently mounted on some old honey badgers. Would it make sense to move them onto these playmakers? Or would putting a new binding on them, like a griffin, make more sense. Obviously would love to get new pivots but they are a bit out of my price range.

[@robbiekramer6589]

Appreciate all the reviews you guys post. I have the 2022 96 Ripsticks regular edition. I'd still probably want to demo the Playmaker 101s before buying them but do you think the Playmaker 101s are too similar to be the only 2 skis in my quiver?

[@SkiEssentials]

While the widths are somewhat similar, that's kind of where the similarities end--these are different enough skis to have both. The Playmakers are a ton of fun with a creative tail and better soft snow and tree skiing capabilities. Park, too, if you're interested in more freestyle-oriented skiing.

[@franzferdinand1]

How does this Ski compare to the Dynastar M-Free 99? Not sure which to get

[@SkiEssentials]

The M-Free has a smoother overall personality due to the hybrid core. Elan's shovels and tails are pretty light and mobile, so for skiers that like an easy swing weight, this is a great option, but the M-Free feels like a more substantial product.

[@gibbs_fka_leroy]

Thanks for all these great reviews! After watching a couple and your comparison video I have narrowed down my search to the playmakers, the edollos and ARV 100s. I plan on demoing these on my next trip, but I wanted to reach out to ask you what features you are excited about seeing in 2025 models? I'm wondering if it's worth waiting for those at all

[@SkiEssentials]

For the 2025's, the Playmaker and the Edollo return unchanged. The ARV 100 gets a poplar core instead of a caruba core, and this feels like a pretty significant upgrade. If that ski was on your list previously, I think it's worth the wait to the new model here.

[@gibbs_fka_leroy]

​​​​​​​​​​​Thanks for the quick reply ​@@SkiEssentials I'll definitely wait for the 2025s if I go with those arvs Right now my list is (in no particular order) -playmaker (can't decide btwn 91/101) -liberty helix🎉 -arv 100 -arv edollo -line Tom wallish pros I am 29, 6'4" and weigh 165. I am an intermediate skier getting back into skiing after a 10 year break (not due to injury just bein broke haha.) I've skied a bunch this season and have been taking it slow to be safe but at the same time feel like it's coming back to me way easier than I had originally feared! So I'm looking to pick up a second set of skis that will let me work on a side of skiing I always wanted to get into but never had the gear to do; park skiing. I have a pair of 187 2009-2010ish Fischer Watea 84s that I can confidently ride New England blacks with, and sketchily make my way down double blacks and ski trees with. These skis feel stable up to about 40-45mph for me, which is nice for cruising but they feel like cement bricks when i jump in them and they don't really seem like they're shaped like they'd be good for jumping. I am interested in the skis I listed in order to get better at skiing switch, jumping, beginner park stuff, small side of the trail natural features, and a little casual tree skiing. I plan to keep my other skies as cruisers, but want to upgrade to a modern twin type for the reasons you describe in your comparison videos. I am a beginner park skier but would like to buy skis which will last me a while, and will lend themselves not only towards me learning but also confidently performing in the park long term. My main logic for wanting wider, lighter and more flexible skiis is to have more stability on boxes, be able to jump and rotate more easily and do nose/tail butters. I am comfortable with my new skis being less geared toward speed and more towards park. I'm hoping the skis feel better/poppier to jump in, feel lighter on my feet when I attempt spins, and more stable underfoot when I am on rails. I am also prepared to be challenged in any of this logic haha. With this in mind, what would you reccomend for 1. Ski / width 2. Binding (I see a lot of hype for "pivot" online) / special mounting notes/instructions. I have Technica HVs for boots. 3. Any more info or insight for anything ranging from other skiis that I haven't listed or 2025 models for the tom wallish or helixes