Elan Playmaker 101 Skis 2024

Elan isn't known for playful freeride skis with a kicked-up tail. Well, they built one and damn does it absolutely slap. It's playful AF but it can kinda carve a dope turn, those two things don't often go together. Spending a fair chunk of time on these skis this past testing season and skiing it next to the more directional Elan Ripstick, you can tell the Playmaker shares some characteristics with the Ripstick. However, the Playmaker is for skiers who really do have a more playful style. It's not a carving ski, it's not a ski for three feet of pow; but where it shines is days spent on the side of the trail, mobbing through the trees and slashing around the whole mountain. The Playmaker is built for tree runs, side hits, jibs, quick 180 here and there, and maybe a high-angle carve around the "Slow Zone" sign; the Playmaker 101 can handle it. It does all of this without sacrificing all of the hard snow integrity, it's not a nervous ski on a groomer. This isn't the most intuitive ski to carve on. It feels surfy until it's leaned far enough over for the ski to bite; once it does bite it quickly rockets you through a sick turn and then the next, but it doesn't behave or initiate a turn like a traditional carving ski in that regard. The Playmaker 101 comes to life when it's skied the way it's intended to be; playfully. Leave it to Elan to build one of the best new skis in the all-mountain, freestyle-focused category. 

Who is this ski for? Skiers with a playful style who like to explore the less tracked-out areas of the mountain in style. Skiers who want something nimble, surfy, and effortless in the trees or tight terrain but want a ski that is fairly comfortable on a groomer. Park skiers who like a wider platform. 

Who isn't this ski for? People looking for a traditional all-mountain ski. Skiers who only spend time on groomers. Skiers who don't aprés.