Elan Alpine Skis

Elan alpine skis were a synonym for high-quality skis in the late seventies and early eighties of the last century. Now, after a few years of pause, Elan is again the brand of the best possible standard with a lot of innovations in the skiing industry. It gains the lost prominence among professional and recreational skiers and levels other known brands like Atomic, Salomon or Rossignol. North America is the market where Elan records the fastest growth and you can notice Elan alpine skis in shops all around the USA and Canada. Therefore, we prepared an overview of company history, innovations and current product range.

Elan Logo Sign

About the Company

Elan was established in Begunje, Slovenia (former Yugoslavia) in 1945. It focuses on four segments: snow, sun, water, wind. Almost half of its revenues come from alpine skis manufacturing. A third of revenues come from producing complex composites for the offshore wind power industry and sailing yachts. The rest of the revenues is produced by Elan Inventa, the subsidiary offering seating solutions and equipment for sports and multi-purpose arenas and halls.

Elan is owned by VR Capital Funds and Bank America Merill Lynch Funds. The consortium bought Elan from Slovenia state back in 2015. Currently, they look for the potential exit after the successful restructuralisation of the company.

All Elan alpine skis and snowboards are produced in factories based in Begunje, a small town in Julian Town, close to famous Slovenian ski-resort Kranjska Gora and Austrian borders. The location of the production site is the reason for Elan alpine skis proudly bearing the sign “Handcrafted in the Alps” on every original item.

Handcrafted in the Alps

Elan in Alpine Ski Racing

Elan impacted skiing sport in many ways. Ingemar Stenmark, the Swedish skiing legend, was the first skiing “influencer” ever. He used Elan skis during his career, which resulted in double gold from the 1980s Olympic Games in Lake Placid in Slalom and Giant Slalom. Besides that, he won three golds from World Championships (1978 – Slalom & Giant Slalom in Garmisch, 1982 – Slalom in Schladming), and altogether won 86 World Cup races. Ingemar Stenmark was the first global skiing superstar and his fame was strongly connected with Elan. Stenmark made Elan the global brand of skiing.

Currently, Elan is not present among the top alpine professional skiers. But it can change quickly in 2022 as Elan is the sponsor of the Chinese Olympic skiing team. We can expect Elan’s prominence in ski racing to rise again as the 2022 Olympic Games will be hosted in Chinese Peking.

Elan Ski Innovations – Carving Skis & Folding Touring Skis

Elan had a big impact also on the way how we ski today. Jurij Franko and Pavel Skofic, Elan engineers, calculated and produced the prototype of sidecut skis, later known as carving skis in 1988. This invention changed all in the alpine skis industry forever. Carving skis came to the retail market in 1993 and it became a global standard years later after other companies adopted Elan’s invention. Now we can hardly imagine to ski on non-curved skis.

Another innovation from Elan came recently. Folding touring skis were introduced and they can be another game-changer in the ski industry. At the moment, nobody expects they will be a big retail hit due to the price. But later they can become affordable to all customers. The skis packed in small check-in bags can make traveling to skiing resorts easy and affordable to everyone.

Elan Alpine Skis Models 

Elan offers a full range for alpine skis models. Its production includes All Mountain, Race, FreeRide and Touring Skis. Elan also produces Kids and Tweener skis. Kids skis are designed to help with the first steps on hills. Tweener Skis are dedicated to teenagers to help them with the transition from kids to adult skis.

Elan All Mountain Skis

All Mountain Skis are the base, with six different Elan models (three for men and three for women), all skiers can find what suits them best.

Elan ELEMENTElan ELEMENT WElan WINGMANElan DELIGHT WElan AMPHIBIOElan AMPHIBIO W
All Mountain Skis for MenAll Mountain Skis for WomenAll Mountain Skis for MenAll Mountain Skis for WomenAll Mountain Skis for MenAll Mountain Skis for Women
Skill level: Beginner to Advanced
Terrain: Groomed or Variable
Speed: Slow to Medium
Skill level: Beginner to Advanced
Terrain: Groomed or Variable
Speed: Slow to Medium
Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced
Terrain: Groomed or Variable
Speed: Medium
Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced
Terrain: Groomed or Variable
Speed: Medium
Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced
Terrain: Groomed or Variable
Speed: Medium
Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced
Terrain: Groomed or Variable
Speed: Medium
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Elan Race Skis

The best skiers who like speed will enjoy Elan race skis.

Elan PRECISIONElan PRECISION WElan WORLD CUP
Race Skis for MenRace Skis for WomenRace Skis for Men
Skill level: Advanced to Expert
Terrain: Groomed
Speed: Medium to Fast
Skill level: Advanced to Expert
Terrain: Groomed
Speed: Medium to Fast
Skill level: Expert
Terrain: Groomed
Speed: Fast
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Elan Freeride Skis

Freeride skis are for people who like skiing on ungroomed terrain. Elan Rispstick series provide a combination of excellent float and stability for all free-riders.

Elan RIPSTICKElan RIPSTICK W
Freeride Skis for MenFreeride Skis for Women
Skill level: Expert
Terrain: Variable to Powder
Speed: Medium to Fast
Skill level: Advanced to Expert
Terrain: Groomed
Speed: Medium to Fast
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Elan Touring Skis

Touring skiing is more and more popular these days. Elan put emphasis not just on the easy-going downhill but also help to climb any hill you wish.

Elan IBEXElan IBEX W
Touring Skis for MenTouring Skis for Women
Skill level: Expert
Terrain: Variable, Up & Down
Speed: Medium
Skill level: Advanced to Expert
Terrain: Variable, Up & Down
Speed: Medium
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Elan Kids Skis

Kids Skis are the starter point for any kid with the desire to learn how to ski.

Elan SKYElan STARRElan JETTElan MAXXElan MAXX BLK RED
Kids SkisKids SkisKids SkisKids SkisKids Skis
Skill level: Beginner to Advanced
Terrain: Groomed to Variable
Speed: Slow
Skill level: Beginner to Advanced
Terrain: Groomed to Variable
Speed: Slow
Skill level: Beginner to Advanced
Terrain: Groomed to Variable
Speed: Slow
Skill level: Beginner to Advanced
Terrain: Groomed to Variable
Speed: Slow
Skill level: Beginner to Advanced
Terrain: Groomed to Variable
Speed: Slow
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Elan Tweener Skis

Tweener Skis are for teenagers. They are bigger than kids skis and designed especially for this demanding generation to get used to biggers skis and challenges on the hills. The transition to adult skis is much easier after using tweener skis for a while.

Elan TWISTElan TWIST PROElan PINBALLElan PINBALL PROElan RC RACE SHIFTElan RIPSTICK
Tweener SkisTweener SkisTweener SkisTweener SkisTweener SkisTweener Skis
Skill level: Beginner to Advanced
Terrain: Groomed to Variable
Speed: Slow to Medium
Skill level: Beginner
Terrain: Groomed
Speed: Slow
Skill level: Beginner to Advanced
Terrain: Groomed to Variable
Speed: Slow to Medium
Skill level: Beginner
Terrain: Groomed
Speed: Slow
Skill level: Beginner to Intermediate
Terrain: Groomed to Variable
Speed: Slow
Skill level: Beginner to Advanced
Terrain: Groomed to Variable
Speed: Medium
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Posted in Alpine Skis, Best Skis, Blog, Reviews, Ski Brands and tagged , .

Ski Pro Guru

Simon is the leading editor of SkiProGuru.com for almost 3 years. He started skiing in his teens and now he switches from Alpine to Cross-Country Skiing regularly. He tried also snowboard for a few years, but then returned to conventional skiing :) In his free time he follows soccer, tennis and reads a lot of contemporary proses and novels.

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