The previously separate series have merged into one, and the design philosophy itself has changed dramatically. ELAN's "ACE Collection" enters a new realm in the '26-27 season. What exactly is the new "Active Suspension Drive" technology that surpasses left-right asymmetry? Let's take a closer look at its evolution
What ELAN is pursuing
For 80 years, ELAN has been consistently producing its products at the foot of the Slovenian Alps, blending traditional craftsmanship with innovative technology. Its brand concept is "Always Good Times." Beyond simply skiing, ELAN values the time spent in the mountains, including après-skiing, and the connections with people, aiming to provide joy and exceptional experiences in the snowy mountains
ELAN has evolved even further for the '26-27 season with its flagship model, the "ACE Collection."
Previously, the series was divided into several sub-series, ranging from the ACE Collection for professional athletes to the PRIMETIME for intermediate and advanced players, and entry-level models for beginners. However, for the '26-27 season, all of these were unified into a single "ACE Collection." Consequently, models with asymmetrical structures were also discontinued
What does that mean?
An innovative technology that symbolizes the new "ACE": Active Suspension Drive
The development goal up to this point was to make high-performance models accessible to as many people as possible, and the answer to this was the asymmetrical design
Now, with the advent of a new technology called "Active Suspension Drive," which surpasses the advantages of asymmetrical suspension, asymmetry is no longer necessary. So, what exactly is this Active Suspension Drive?
The skis feel incredibly stable, as if they're glued to the snow. The secret lies behind this stability: "Active Suspension Drive." In the diagram above, the area circled in yellow shows a raised surface on the ski, and this is where the secret lies. An elastomer is built in to absorb impact, and a reinforcing structure on top of it ensures that the moment a load is applied, the force is transmitted to the snow surface without any loss
This active suspension drive delivers firm grip and rebound, along with powerful propulsion, at the crucial moment, resulting in intuitive and stress-free handling where the skis respond smoothly to the next movement
Furthermore, the "Traction Tip," which creates a precise torsional balance in the tip section, improves adaptability to uneven terrain and changing landscapes, achieving both smooth turn initiation and vibration reduction. All of these factors contribute to a feeling and responsiveness that makes the skis move naturally and exactly as you intend
For a more intuitive understanding, be sure to watch this video. It
clearly explains how this technology, inspired by racing cars, works.
The main models of the ACE collection
ACE's overwhelming strength is on display in the world championship of ski cross
The ACE collection's capabilities have been proven by the performances of the world's top athletes. At the 2025 World Championships, which were considered a prelude to the Olympics, ELAN skis completely dominated the podium. And did you see the ski cross at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics? There too, many of the athletes who made it to the final heats wore ELAN skis, sweeping the podium and demonstrating an overwhelming strength that needs no words
Although he missed out on a medal, ELAN also played a key role in the rise of Japan's Kei Furuno, who finished in fourth place. Three of the five members of the Japanese ski cross team that competed in the Olympics (Kei Furuno, Ryuto Kobayashi, and Rin Nakanishi) wore ELAN skis
The fact that it has achieved such remarkable results, especially in demanding sports like ski cross, which require split-second decisions, power, and the ability to adapt to rapidly changing snow conditions, speaks volumes about the exceptional performance of the ACE collection
But why is ELAN so strong in ski cross? There's a reason for that
Unlike alpine racing, ski cross is a survival race for four people, and can be considered a team sport. While the competition is fierce, from a different perspective, it's an exciting and fun time for fellow athletes
In other words, this is a scene from ELAN's "Always Good Times" slogan. ELAN fully supports ski cross globally, embodying the brand's message and concentrating its athlete support on this sport
Incidentally, I should add that ski cross skis have a smaller radius and a unique flex pattern compared to GS skis, resulting in superior responsiveness and making them ideal for events like the giant slalom at the All Japan Ski Technical Championships
Information
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