2024 Elan Wingman 86 Black Edition Ski Review with SkiEssentials.com

Elan has a new Black Edition ski for 2024! This time, the Wingman series gets the Black treatment. Enjoy!
Written Review: www.skiessentials.com/Chairli...
0:00 - Intro
2:20 - Bob's Request
5:00 - Construction
8:45 - Shape
11:30 - Flex Comparison
12:15 - Bob's Experience
17:35 - Jeff's Experience
22:10 - Skidded Turns and Off-Piste

[@turbokuo1734]

Love their subtle humor of these two guys. Also continue to compare with skis within the same brand, really helps to compare difference.

[@marshallman6591]

I got the CTI based on your recco this year. I ski Sugar Bowl in North Lake Tahoe. I use these when the conditions call for mostly groomers. Obviously they excel on hard pack but they are also awesome in fresh thick snow, 1-3 inches, as well as ripping slush and corn on spring afternoons. I'm a strong aggressive skier that likes to go fast. I push these hard and love the response I get boosting out of turns. Sometimes I wish they were a touch more stiff but I like the bounce and playfulness when I'm not totally going for it. So I feel the CTI strikes a great balance. I'm scared to demo the Black Edition Wingman tho. Might like 'em more! For reference my other skis are Unleashed 98 and Black Crows Anima. Best ski review channel. Thanks guys!

[@SkiEssentials]

There's nothing wrong with getting more skis. Have a great spring!

[@paklenipatuljak]

It's not that easy to have multiple skis.. however, I managed to sell my wife a story how I'm in desperate need of wider skis. Our oldest son is now 8 and it's unbelievable hard to keep him on groomers. If there's a way to slip aside onto moguls, he will find it. As a responsible parent I just can't let him do it by himself and I just can't follow on my narrow Head Speed skis. So, Deacons 84 and Wingmans are on my short list to consider..

[@RogerDiotte]

WOW....solid long groomer run! LOVE THAT!

[@SkiEssentials]

Thanks! Stowe has a bunch of long groomers.

[@nealburton2677]

Solid review. Thanks. Hoping to get new sticks this season and plan on demoing a few. East coast advanced skier(not the prettiest to look at,lol) but enjoy skiing a variety of terrain. I enjoy skiing on the sides of the trail mostly so short turns are the norm but do like to hit the wide carves as well. Would the Rip stick 88 be a better option over the the 86 CTI? Sounds like the RS is a bit softer?

[@SkiEssentials]

I think the "variety of terrain" of which you speak calls for the Ripstick. Sure you're losing out on some carving and front side performance, but more than making up for it when it comes to versatility, even in terms of turn shape and style. The CTi is a strong and stiff ski that operates well when driven aggressively, but the Ripstick is a lot more accessible and engaging.

[@dinukaufmann4487]

Hi, love your reviews! One question, will you do some special to the new BOA Skiboots? would be interessting to see the differences from company to company, how the interpret it. Regards from Switzerland.

[@SkiEssentials]

Yes! Working on it right now, in fact. I'm going to focus on the Salomon S/Pro Supra BOA 120, but I've also skied the Supra 130 and the K2 Recon 120 BOA. Of the ones we've seen, K2 seems to have the most different design as they made the toe seam/dam more movable than the Salomon boots. Other than that, and with the Fischer 140 with the Zip Fit liner as an outlier, I feel there are more similarities than differences. It's all the same BOA system, and my theory is that this is the first step towards new boot closure systems rather than the final one.

[@waltterikarhusaari1088]

Thanks again for a great review 👍 How would you say these compare to Atomic Redster Q9.8s? 85mm underfoot, 15,2m radius in 181cm, frontside carving ski, loves to turn (carve rather than skid, but can handle skidded turns as well), …. Similarities seem to exist, but are there marked differences also? Thank you.

[@SkiEssentials]

The Redster skis follow closer to their race skis while the Wingman is more all-mountain oriented in terms of build. We had little success skidding the Redster while the Wingman was more amenable to non-pure carves. The Atomic is decidedly burlier and heavier, mainly due to the big system binding. If you spend all of your time on trail in a carved turn, the Redster is very grounded and stable. I'd much rather ski the Wingman in anything other than smooth groomers.

[@beck4218]

How does this channel have only 37K subs? I bought the Black Ed for my oldest. Loves them along with his Camox.

[@SkiEssentials]

We're growing at our own pace--not reaching to be something we're not. Thanks for your support and love those skis!

[@paklenipatuljak]

Love Elan and I always wanted Wingmans 86 but that green color was always an eyesore for me. For that reason I was thinking to go with 82 for the next season. These skis are beautiful! I don't even expect them to be better than cti model

[@SkiEssentials]

Very sharp looking indeed!

[@diver923us]

Demo them. For my ability and the conditions I ski the 86cti are incredible. I wasn’t a huge fan of the green but after using them the color just didn’t matter. They are truly an all mountain ski.

[@Ca_milo_G]

nice tshirt

[@Krolickiscp]

Hi, I’m mostly an east coast skier (or the Alps); I'm skiing the Ripstick 96 black edition or a Fischer RC4 WC SC Pro. To bridge these two very different skis and to experience the mountain a bit differently, I was thinking of adding maybe the new Wingman 88 black edition, or Stoeckli Laser CX, Rossi Hero MT or LT, or Brahma 88. What would be a fun option? Your top 3 I should look into (I'm 6’3” , 250lbs, enjoying carving but also shorter turns and mostly skiing front side as mother nature does not give us as many powder days)

[@SkiEssentials]

I think the Brahma is worth a pretty square look as it is very sturdy and stable. It's on the heavy side, but you get the resulting performance for sure. I like the pop and energy of the Wingman, while the Rossi and the Stockli feel more like race skis. I'd narrow focus to the Brahma and Wingman, and from there, whichever style you want more--lighter and energetic, or strong and stable, should guide your decision accordingly.

[@bruceyeremian9036]

Looking for Elan frontside groomer for short to medium radius turns also good in bumps that cares good without chatter on black diamond hardback and a little icy for Tahoe Days. I love my Rip96-178 blacks and have a previous year Rip96-172 greens that I really like but on these hardback black steeps they really chatter. Looking at Wingman 82TI, 82CTI and now wondering about the New Black Wingman. Also not sure on the 86 versions. I love Elan but is really a bit confusing. SHope alway try and talk me out of Elan and go with the new Stockli AR or AX that are really expensive for a retired old guy. Can you do some comparisons within the same brand? I haven't looked at the Ace serious and yes plan on keeping my RipSticks... Thanks

[@SkiEssentials]

I think that going narrower to the 82's makes sense for what you're looking to do. The CTi version of the 82 has the carbon tubes that your Ripsticks have, and we think this makes a big difference in the grip and stiffness of the ski. The Ti version is the same, save for the tubes. This makes the Ti more compliant in the turns, and better suited for less-aggressive or more moderate skiers. The Black Edition of the 82 (no 82 Black yet), adds carbon to the mix, so you're getting even more responsiveness and stiffness. With carbon, this doesn't always equate stability, so take that upgrade with a grain of salt. As far as Stockli, the AR or AX doesn't particularly do anything extra that the Wingman's don't, but the Montero does it quieter, smoother, and with less chatter. The performance overall is pretty similar, just with a far different feel underfoot.

[@diver923us]

Love your reviews. Would you know if there will be an 86cti available in 2024 or will this be replaced by the black addition?

[@SkiEssentials]

Yes, the 86CTi will be available in 2024 in addition to the Black Edition, the 82CTi, the 86Ti and the 82 CTi. Lots of Wingmans!

[@szuber42]

If you wanted to size down or if your heavier would you recommend the black over the other??

[@SkiEssentials]

Yes, and especially if you know you prefer stiffer flex, especially in the tail

[@mmd3054]

I’m very interested to hear you guys take on what advanced and intermediate skiing is? Like when I see Bob in this video, would you call that advanced skiing? Or if thats as fast I imagine my speed limit is, can I call myself an advanced skier, or high end intermediate? I’ve watch a lot of you’re reviews and they really help to form an opinion on what type of sky I should get. It would be really awesome to here your opinion about this since you usually refer to that in the end of your reviews. I live in Sweden but feel I owe it to you to buy my next skis from Ski essentials, not kidding🙂

[@SkiEssentials]

I feel like advanced skiers are able to, somewhat comfortably, ski all the terrain at most resorts. They may not make it look super-pretty or be able to tackle it with speed, but at least get down it with some confidence. Intermediate skiers are likely not going to be able to comfortably descend all the terrain at most resorts, and tend to lack upper and lower-body separation needed for clean and linked carved turns, even at slower speeds and on more moderate slopes. Speed and pitch do not come across well on video--what you're seeing here is happening a lot faster and on steeper trails than it may appear.

[@biff2bart509]

Great review! I currently own a 2023 Ripstick 88, Ripstick 106 Black Edition and a Ripstick 116 and I ski in the PNW. 106BE x 188 - favourite ski of all time: I will always have one of these in my quiver. The 88 x 180 is a bit more tricky. I LOVE this ski in the bumps. I love it on chalky steeps: so precise and so maneuverable. Hover, I'm 220# and over 6' tall and speed wise, I can't ski the 88 at 10/tenths, like I can the 106BE. If it's smooth or groomed or even icy I can drive it predictably. However, if the terrain gets choppy or complicated, I can over drive the 88 and I lose stability at speed. It's my only complaint with the ski - which otherwise I absolutely love - but I can see why you guys are asking for an 88 black. So the question is: Do I switch out the single Ripstick 88x180 for both a 86 wingman BE (which length?) and also a Ripstick 96BE x 180? I "need" a ski for the bumps and soft snow days: the 88 is great for that, but I think I'm over powering the ski, so do I switch to the 96BE for this? (or is the 96BE too close to the 106BE?). And then pick up a truly groomer ski for when things are hard and the off piste is not worth skiing? Also, for Bob - would you get the longer length? It's not on Elan's site yet, but I'm assuming they make this in 178cm and 184cm? If I do this, I'm going to end up with 4 Elans in the quiver (including the 116), which would be cool as I really lke the Ripstick lineup. Just want to see if this makes sense... Thank you!

[@SkiEssentials]

Ha! I'm sure Elan would be more than thrilled to see a full Elan quiver! We're also very happy to sell you more skis. I'm 6/2 225 and I'd go with the 184 in the Wingman. Really there's no Elan that I'd ski that I'd take less than the longer length. Have you taken the 88 in the 188 off the table? That was really my favorite Elan of this year, if you missed it we had a review out earlier this year: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKioaquVjNSGY5Y I love the 96 Black as well, and again, in the 188--they do measure about 1.5 cm short, so keep that in mind. I'd take a square look at the 88 in the 188 and then you can keep your eyes out for more of a front side ski. We've loved the mid-70's for this range, so skis like the Blizzard Thunderbird R15WB, Head Supershape e.Rally, Stockli Laser SC, or Nordica Spitfire 76. Hope that helps! SE/Bob

[@biff2bart509]

@@SkiEssentials Amazing reply - thank you. I will go test the 88x 188 and see if that cures my instability issues with this ski. Thank you for the info on the other models. This is my first time using Elan skis and overall I have to say that I'm very impressed. I have owned several Blizzard models - love that company as well: they make great products.

[@fferrand]

I’m 6ft and around 178lbs, advanced-expert skier, I ski Head Kore 99 but looking to get something for the harder snow days and a little more carving oriented but still decent all mountain, I ski mainly in Colorado. I’ve been looking at the Blizzard Brahma 82, Volkl Deacon 84 and the Elan Wingman 86 Cti(now these Black edition look interesting). Which skis do you think compliment the Kores more to have a two ski setup?

[@SkiEssentials]

The nice thing about the Deacon and Wingman is that they feel like wider front side skis while the Brahma feels like a narrow all-mountain ski. I'd say moving to the wider front side models makes good sense, and between Wingman and Deacon, the Deacon seems to have some more versatility because it's got longer rocker throughout. It's built like a technological race ski, but is flatter, so it makes it easy to access the well-roundedness. Wingman is slightly more cambered, and that makes it slightly less versatile for softer snow performance.

[@fferrand]

@@SkiEssentials And would you go 177 or size down to 172?

[@travelone06]

Great video, as usual. Got a pair of 86CTI this season for days with looser snow on groomers. What a ski ! Love them. Obviously, not as quick edge to edge then my daily drivers at 74mm but a solid option for East coast skiers.

[@SkiEssentials]

Glad you like them!

[@andyjensen9611]

Looking for another ski for carving and night skiing (ice). I mainly ski Big Bear and Mammoth. Currently have the Ripstick 96 Black. Thinking the Wingman 86 Ti might be the right ski. But not sure, so many options! Thoughts?

[@SkiEssentials]

The Wingman is an awesome ski, especially when it comes to firmer snow. It's also a pretty similar overall feel to the Ripstick, so there's no big surprises here.

[@2kisfunny737]

if you guys are able to get a hold of the new armada x oyuki skis that would be a sick review

[@SkiEssentials]

Looks like an ARV 106 UL with a sweet graphic. We'll definitely have the 106 in our ski test, at the very least in August.

[@nashvegas631]

First! Great review as always. You mentioned skiing the Rossi Exp 86 ti back to back. Which is more comparable the CTi or the Black Edition Wingman to the Rossi in terms of forgiveness and versatility?

[@SkiEssentials]

The CTi and the Black Edition are very similar skis. I find the Experience to be more versatile and forgiving and more all-mountain oriented, but the Elan skis definitely feel more like a wider front side ski.

[@swedishburrito5073]

👍

[@egregor123]

between the Elan and the Stockli Montero AR?

[@SkiEssentials]

The AR will not be as big of a change for you as the Wingman. I've spent a good amount of time on both, and just think the AR is an incredibly complete ski. It can handle very different turn shapes and styles while the Wingman is a bit more focused on the mid-range arc. If you liked the WRT Pro and its overall character, I'd stick to Stockli.

[@jberczi6]

As an east coast skier who is primarily skiing harder stuff, but would like the ability to bring a ski out west, would you recommend the Ripstick 96 black or Wingman 86 Black? (Was hoping they'd put out the Ripstick 88 Black) - Advanced / Expert level - thanks!

[@SkiEssentials]

Same here re: Ripstick 88 Black! I'd still think the 96 Black is a more versatile overall ski. While you may miss out on some on-trail grip and power, overall, the 96 Black is phenomenal at nearly everything else.

[@CynicalWolverine]

So how does the Wingman black edition handle on conditions other than groomers, like once everything gets skied out and chopped up?

[@SkiEssentials]

It's happier on groomers, although if you're a skilled skier and don't mind doing a bit more work to get the ski to be mobile and strong on choppy snow, it's fine. There are better options in the all-mountain world at this width, like the Rossignol Experience 86 Ti or the Volkl Kendo, but for its weight and precision, the Wingman Black Edition holds up just fine.

[@CynicalWolverine]

@@SkiEssentials thanks!

[@MBArkestra]

I just want to know where Jeff's outfit is from.

[@SkiEssentials]

The brown/black one piece is a Strafe Sickbird suit.

[@jlulmjr]

Wondering how the new wingman black compares to the brahma 88.

[@SkiEssentials]

Still not quite there. I don't think they're going for Brahma 88 density with these skis, as they seem happier providing the lighter and more carbon-powered alternative to multiple sheets of metal skis like the Blizzard. That said, the Wingman is more amenable to mid-range turns and more moderate speeds while the Brahma really comes to life when you're going faster.

[@jlulmjr]

Thanks. With so many choices out there nowadays it’s helpful to narrow the field within each category and you guys do a terrific job in that regard.

[@AllenSmithe]

Call me crazy, but i want a black edition Rip 116

[@SkiEssentials]

Pretty soon, they're just going to phase out all of their non-Black Edition skis and just have a series of super-skis that are just better than anything else on the market. I jest, but I get what you're saying--why not put the best technology in all of the product?

[@markfriedman8892]

I might sell my Rustler 11's for a Ripstick 116 Black!!!

[@treeflip7]

Seems like youtube has stopped recommending your videos. Have you all noticed your views dropping?

[@SkiEssentials]

Interesting! Yes, but our views are very seasonal, so nothing has looked off to me. Actually, if anything, views are up compared to this time last year, even as a percentage of, say, peak winter views. You can change your settings on how you Subscribe to our channel to get notifications for "Everything." Just go to our main KZbin account page and there's a drop down for Subscribe. Appreciate the note and concern!

[@christophermagnuson1270]

Oh boy is this great⛷❄️ I know it’s early but how does this compare to the Nordica Steadfast.

[@SkiEssentials]

Steadfast is slightly friendlier and more versatile. I'd rather ski the Steadfast 85 as a daily ski because it's just more amenable to different turn shapes and styles.

[@carterfan80]

Nice t shirt jeff. Would love to see some cross over contemt with @Debarmstrong Maybe she can do a quick guest appearance for a fisher review?? I wamt to see these Social media titans unite.

[@SkiEssentials]

She's so awesome. It'd be amazing to get to do something like that.