THE 2023 PEOPLE’S SKI TEST PREVIEW
Now that the year’s latest and greatest skis are arriving at your local ski shop, in an effort to help determine which...
THE PEOPLE’S SKI TEST – ELAN WILDCAT 86 CX
ELAN WILDCAT 86 CX
Category: All Mountain
Lengths: 152, 158, 164, 170
Dimensions: 127/86/113
Radius: 14.7m @ 164
MSRP: $929 (with bindings)
More info: elanskis.com
“The Elan Wildcat 86 CX is a fun, playful ski that thrives on groomers and mellow off-piste terrain. Elan advertises it as an all-mountain ski, but it definitely shined brightest on the frontside. The wood core and carbon-rod construction gives the ski lightweight manoeuvrability, but without sacrificing its stability and gusto. The comfort and ease this ski provided when on edge made me want to arc trenches on the mountain all day long. And thanks to Elan’s Amphibio technology, the Wildcat’s futuristic build makes it a one-of-a-kind ski on the market. The asymmetrical profile provided more power and stability to the inside edge, and less material on the outside edge allowed for a more playful, agile feel. Just remember to put the skis on the labelled left and right foot, or it could skew the true experience.” –Katie Spittlehouse
Reviewer’s Rating: On Piste: 10/10 • Off Piste: 6/10
Average Rating: On Piste: 9/10 • Off Piste: 6/10
REVIEWER BIO:
Katie Spittlehouse
Age: 30 / Height: 5’8” / Weight: 155 lbs / Occupation: MRI Technologist
Originally from Ontario, Katie Spittlehouse has lived in Rossland since 2014, where she works as an MRI technologist and a coach of the Canadian Paralympic Ski Team—which means she knows a thing or two about proper ski technique. As a result, Spittlehouse is all about arcing pristine slalom turns on fresh corduroy, but like the rest of us, loves nothing more than a bottomless pow day with friends. Her typical ski is around 110 millimetres in the waist, with camber underfoot and rocker in the tip and tail, in a 175- to 180-centimetre range.
Share this
THE PEOPLE’S SKI TEST – BLIZZARD HUSTLE 10
There are plenty of touring skis on the market, but with the all-new Hustle 10, Blizzard has taken a different approach by focusing on downhill performance first, and then making it into a lightweight uphill machine.
THE PEOPLE’S SKI TEST – BLIZZARD RUSTLER 10
The Blizzard Rustler 10 is a reliable and agile all-mountain ski that tackled any type of terrain with poise and ease.
THE PEOPLE’S SKI TEST – BLIZZARD SHEEVA 11
The Blizzard Sheeva 11 is the perfect example of a versatile ski. It performed well in both soft and hard pack conditions, and was able to handle all sorts of variable terrain.
THE PEOPLE’S SKI TEST – DYNASTAR M-FREE 108
The Dynastar M-Free 108 is a light, nimble and amazing freeride ski that was easy to operate and manoeuvre all over the mountain in any type of snow conditions.
THE PEOPLE’S SKI TEST – DYNASTAR M-FREE 99
It’s hard to put into words just how much I loved the Dynastar M-Free 99, as it’s one of the most dependable and versatile pair of planks that I’ve had the joy of clicking into.
THE PEOPLE’S SKI TEST – DYNASTAR E-PRO 99
If you’re like me, you dream about powder skis and touring skis, but give little thought to the ski you’re on 90 per cent of the time—the every day ski. The E-Pro 99 changed that for me.
THE PEOPLE’S SKI TEST – FACTION MANA 3
The all-new Faction Mana 3 is the perfect compromise between the directional versus double rocker dilemma.
THE PEOPLE’S SKI TEST – FACTION PRODIGY 3
As much as we would all love to ski fresh tracks all day, every day, the reality is, if you want to get after it, some days you’re going to be crushing pre-loved pow.
More