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.