TEST: Elan Apex and a freeride tour

on Friday 18 March 2011
by Federico Casnati
photo by casnas

VIDEO: Il test nel canale del diavolo al Passo del Tonale

Put a sunny day at the Passo del Tonale, an experienced guide who loves to freeride than ever these places, suitable for a ski company and you have Immerse yourself in this test dell'Elan Apex.

The place: The off-piste
selected Channel is the Devil's in Passo Tonale, it is from Presena, doing some light off-piste in meters and then a beautiful hill with your skis in the snow.

The slope is the one for Elan immediately put to narrow the field and test him more adatto.Purtroppo the lack of snow in recent months has not allowed to test the powder and fresh winter snow, which would its habitat of choice, but only on compacted snow and wind on which some had already left its mark.

Skiing: The Elan
Apex is ranked by some as a cross-rounder but it is not aimed at the freeride extreme, with ample sidecut and wide center (88mm). Our pilot were also mounted attacks Dynamir from the heel strap.

The structure, however, is one of those series, with inserts in titanium and aluminum and wood core.

Before jumping with the points beyond the beaten track, skiing was tried for a few down the track, to become familiar with the large radius (over 22 meters) and construction of "fat".

The goodness of the structure immediately arises: the sandwich interior provides excellent stability on the harder the beaten track and having figured out how to reverse the cross, becomes a pleasure to ski on the track. It is of course the versatility that you look for from this cross, but it is comfortable to know that in conditions other than those for which it was designed, can make it very satisfactorily. Do not you cortoraggio course, neither the classical skiing fast edge-edge, but otherwise is a very enjoyable skiing even in these times, almost makes you want to keep the foot on the track.

The stability of the ski slope is appreciated especially after hiking in the cold: out difficult and narrow traits, seems to ski with a CR, and seal beautiful twist!

off-piste:
The writer is not a big freerider, but you can not see that at a moment very complex (hard snow, steep slopes and narrow), the Apex will not encounter any obstacles. Overcome the initial hesitation of the first two curves, one can ski with pleasure, with little vibration and with an enviable estate.

In the few stretches of snow does not compact it was possible to appreciate the natural buoyancy of the ski, that without being in extreme width, allows (especially those coming from ski racing or racing in any case) to be managed masterfully by a silver already advanced. The important thing is the independence of legs and physicality needed to address areas off piste with his usual wisdom and prudence. For those

:
is the classic ski for those who feel the need to broaden their horizons. It is available in sizes 159, 168, 177, 186, but is it the size that makes the best. It can be said that is fully part of the all-mountain category, understood in the true concept that brings behind him: one for each juncture of the mountain slopes.

is not recommended for those few times you will go out of the beaten track is only a little 'wasted, and from Elan, there are many more interesting proposals.

is not even an unmanageable as some cross-country ski park, the structure is good and is very skiable. It is a ski for those who want the freedom to choose which side of the top down, without being influenced from the tool that has the foot.

Stampa