Elan is a respectable ski brand with a long-term history in the skiing industry. The company is well-known for making skis that skiers of all skill levels can depend on to work well. Due to their longevity, these skis will be a great investment in the long term.
This article will explore if Elan is a trustworthy ski manufacturer. I’ll explain why this is the case and what you might experience using the company’s equipment. I’ll also offer you a few ideas to consider when you decide whether to go with Elan or another brand. What do you know about the history of this ski brand? So, let’s begin to unveil our findings.
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Briefly About Elan
In the Slovenian Alps, Elan is a professional ski company with nearly 80 years of expertise, creating the greatest skis worldwide for people of all ages who enjoy skiing and having a good time in the mountains.
One thing about the brand Elan, it is all about having a good time on the mountain with your loved ones. It’s always fun to be with the people who matter most to you, whether it’s a weekend road trip with your family to your preferred local spot or a backcountry expedition with your closest pals.
For decades, the brand has focused on improving the skiing experience for all skiers, from novices to experts. The brand tries to make ski gear the best in terms of performance, quality, and new technology. After many years of constantly improving its design, it has built its brand around this one goal and has promised to give everyone the best skiing experience.
How Elan Skis Become A Household Name
At first, Elan produced skis for its allies to use in their resistance against the Nazis. Skis used by Rudi Finzgar, then 15 years old, to compete in ski jumping at a team of nine Slovenian engineers constructed the 1936 Winter Olympics in Garmisch during the war.
Finzgar and his team continued to manufacture skis after the war ended, relocating their operations to a facility in the town of Begunje. The company used to be called the Workers’ Ski Cooperative, but in 1952, it changed its name to Elan.
Ingemar Stenmark, a famous Swedish skier who spent his whole World Cup career on Elans, helped the company become known worldwide. The skier with the most World Cup wins didn’t join the firm willingly since some communists doubted his abilities.
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Before Stenmark won an Olympic gold medal, Elan sought to sign him to a contract in 1984, according to an interview with Sports Illustrated given by the former head of Elan’s Ski Department Vinko Bogataj. At the time, Slovenia was a part of communist Yugoslavia, so every factory worker had a say in major management decisions, such as whether Elan should pay Stenmark.
Bogataj admitted, “It was difficult to get our workers to agree to this.” They didn’t believe paying this skier a good salary would increase sales and profits. In retrospect, we can see that it was quite perilous to agree to. They were skeptical. They chose to try it, if only for a short time. It’s interesting to think about how the development of Elan skis could have changed if they had voted against it.
Is Elan Ski Handcrafted?
“Handcrafted in the Slovenian Alps” is what you will see on every single Elan ski. These phrases, which represent pride, illustrate what Elan Ski is about. For many skiers, mountains serve as a constant source of inspiration. In terms of its size and population, Begunje na Gorenjskem is a tiny town. Begunje, however, is a capital and a center of ski innovation in the skiing world.
The number of inventions made and used here to improve skiing is too large to list them all. Whenever a ground-breaking product is introduced, people exclaim, “This is it! Nothing could be better than this.” However, Elan’s engineers always create something innovative, improved, and even more effective each time.
Is Elan A Good Ski Brand?
For over 80 years, Elan, as a brand, has created high-quality skis. The brand is identifiable even though it is not nearly as popular as the top ski brands on the market today. Elan produces excellent skis, which are its greatest offering. They are recognized for being reliable in terms of performance and dependability. The price of the skis also remains quite reasonable.
Most Elan skis have the exceptional quality of being adjustable to a range of skiers, which is wonderful. Whether you are a beginner, an intermediate, or an expert, you will find something to meet your needs.
Elan manufactures a variety of ski models to match your individual style choices. Their all-mountain and race ski categories, perhaps the most affordably priced, provide a wide selection of skis.
The company also offers free rides and touring skis. The touring event has received high ratings from a number of participants. They usually have performance-enhancing, lightweight designs. Elan makes a variety of ski accessories in addition to skis for adults, kids, and women. The company also produces apparel, backpacks, poles, helmets, goggles, and ski boots for kids.
In spite of the fact that these clothing goods or accessories are outside the company’s selection of skis, I still think they need to be of a higher quality. To put it simply, I wouldn’t use Elan as my first choice for a helmet or pair of goggles.
Since the firm’s poles are popular with ski racers, some respectable models are available if you’re looking for a durable yet lightweight race pole. However, I don’t suggest using their helmets, as better options are available.
How To Choose The Best Ski
Choosing a nice pair of skis that you’ll enjoy using is simple, but there are a few things to consider before deciding which pair will suit you best. To help you get the most out of skiing, I’ll show you the different choices you have.
I’ve tested a huge selection of skis, from entry-level beginners’ skis to freeride monsters! Based on my years of experience and professional judgment, here are some guidelines for what we think you must be looking for.
Height And Width
When choosing the right ski length, your height, weight, and the kind of skiing you want to engage in are all very important. Before considering your preferred riding position, snow, and terrain, select a ski length that falls roughly between the top of your head and the chin.
A short ski will work best if you’re a novice or improver and don’t typically ski quickly. Choose a slightly longer ski if you like to ski quickly or aggressively or if you intend to do a lot of off-piste skiing. Experienced or competitive skiers typically prefer skis longer than head height; however, shorter skis are simpler to turn on for less experienced skiers.
Snow Rigidity
Your ability and expectations will determine the stiffness of the skis you select. For your skis to be more sensitive and “alive,” the greater your standard, the more rigid they must be. Choose flexible, light skis if you’re just starting out.
Ski Shape
When you buy your first pair of skis, you should carefully look at the shape of each ski to find the best one. In the past, the length of the skis was the only factor to take into account.
There is a lot more to consider now that the technology has provided several options for side cuts and rockers. When you buy skis, you can choose from a wide range of designs, such as ones with a rockered tip, twin cambers, a flat tail, and a camber underfoot.
Bindings
These are yet another important factor when selecting your first pair of skis. The sort of bindings you select will mostly depend on the skiing you will be performing and the kind of skier you are, regardless of whether you enjoy free skiing or powder skiing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Elan Skis Worth it?
Yes, Elan snow skis are great. The company makes different ski styles for men, women, and children. They also have skis for freestyle, cruising, freeride, and racing, among other types of skiing. All of these skis perform well and last for a long time.
What Is The Reputation Of Elan Skis?
Elan skis are renowned for their high quality and versatility. The brand has been around for a long time and has a strong reputation for making skis that perform well and can be used in a variety of situations.
Who Produces Elan Skis?
Elan skis have been made in Slovenia for approximately 80 years. As before, no firm has acquired the brand, and it continues to be owned and managed in the same location.
Are Elan Skis Produced By Hand?
Due to the fact that Elan skis are almost entirely handmade, they are frequently referred to as handcrafted. Still, nearly 60% of the production is done by hand, which shows how much the company cares about quality and doing things correctly.
Conclusion
If you’re considering buying a pair of Elan skis, you can trust them to make quality equipment. The skis are versatile and can be used in various skiing techniques, no matter how you like to ski. Make a decision based on your preferences.
Elan also provides clothes and equipment for skiing; however, I don’t believe it’s the same caliber as their skis. I think it’s not the best choice for helmets or goggles, and therefore it’s worth considering other accessories.
