WILDCAT S8 C SX EL 9.0

The 2026 Elan Wildcat S8 C with EL 9 GW bindings is a friendly and approachable women's ski that blends lightweight construction with subtle performance upgrades, helping newer skiers progress confidently across a variety of on-trail conditions. An 76 mm waist and carbon reinforced wood core give it an extra edge when the snow gets choppy, giving women the confidence to push their skills to the next level.

Why we like it:

It’s approachable, easy to control, and surprisingly capable in a range of snow conditions, making it perfect for building confidence without holding you back.

Who it's for:

Designed for beginner to early intermediate women who want to develop strong technique on groomed runs while enjoying a ski that’s easygoing, forgiving, and ready for progression.

Highlights:

A laminated wood core runs the full length of the ski, offering a stable and responsive platform with excellent edge control. Reinforced with carbon, the S8 C gains extra torsional stiffness and stability at speed, without the added weight or stiffness of metal. Elan’s Amphibio Truline Technology builds in asymmetry for intuitive turn initiation and precise edge grip, with more structure along the inside edge and lighter materials on the outside for easier control. A 76 mm waist enhances quickness and helps the ski stay composed in chopped-up snow or soft bumps later in the day.

Things to consider:

This is still a comfort-focused ski tuned for frontside cruising, so more aggressive trail skiers will want something with a stiffer core for high-speed carving.

Fit & sizing considerations:

Runs true to size. Newer skiers looking for easy maneuverability may prefer to size slightly down for better control and confidence on shorter turns.