Ski Review Brands

Elan Amphibio 2012

Written by Dan Morgan, Friday, 18 February 2011

Elan Amphibio 2012

With few exceptions, skis in 2012 will not be radically different. The BBR is holding it’s own certainly, but when we recently met Luka Grilc, Elan’s Product Director, he showed us something we haven’t yet seen elsewhere.

Adding rocker to piste skis is nothing new, the mainstream brands that did not do it for 2011 all catch up in 2012, but Elan decided to go a slightly different direction with the brand new Amphibio.

Camber on the inside edge all the way to the tips, but a slight rocker on the outside edge. Yes, with Amphibio that means a left ski and a right ski.

Luka was kind enough to jump in front of the camera (not to mention persuading Glen Plake to do the same) to explain all about the Amphibio.

Available for the 2012 season, the Amphibio is available in 4 models. More details to follow.

Reader Comments on Elan Amphibio 2012
Elan Amphibio 2012
Written by SkiFox on 02/19

Really nice to some innovation from Elan. Always liked their skis. Nice video, but be interesting to see how these ski.

Elan Amphibio 2012
Written by Chris on 03/28

I absolutely loved these skis.  I was hesitant to purchase at first because of comments on other sites…Innovative skis, creating a solution for a problem that doesn’t exist.  These skis are like driving a Porsche Turbo or a Ferrari!  Super fast, extremely responsive but if you don’t know how to control or can’t afford then you shouldn’t be considering!  AMAZING SKIS

Elan Amphibio 2012
Written by NJD on 03/31

I have been in all conditions with my Amphibio WAVEFLEX 14 since January and haven’t found a surface yet that challenges this ski. These skis are subtly strong, precise, and predictable that will hold in a race course, round out a turn on the groomers or blast through the cruddiest crud with ease. Consider the other Amphibios; The softer WAVEFLEX 12, The Womens INSOMNIA or the 82XTI for some float if all that snow in your face bothers you.

Elan Amphibio 2012
Written by wildcat Hank on 04/07

chris or NJD have you tried them on wrong feet??? Do they ski better the right way or just different?

Elan Amphibio 2012
Written by NJD on 04/12

wildcat Hank, Just back from Whiteface, Jay, Cannon, and Stowe. Clear nights mid twenties to mid fifties by days end. Snow naturally softened and piled up. Skis blasted through anything with ease everyday all day and held everywhere right from the frozen first run to the slushly last. They DO ski better the right way(strong, lively,fast) I DID switch skis so rockered side is on inside after it softened up and these skis became just as playful. I felt a softer flex, more float and a tighter radius.  There is a noticable difference in performance when switched but after a few turns in the deep corn, this pair of skis will do it all. Didn’t even ski the fatties on this trip!

Elan Amphibio 2012
Written by wildcat Hank on 04/13

Chris, What other site were you talking about.  I’m looking for all the info I can get.  I MT rep for Elan. Thank you. Hank

Elan Amphibio 2012
Written by wildcat Hank on 04/13

NJD,  Thank You Nice trip.  I wish I had time.  I coach at Wildcat.  Hank

Elan Amphibio 2012
Written by NJD on 04/16

Hank, Also ELAN Ambassador,  Level 3 PSIA. Putting Wildcat on my list to visit next spring. Visit http://www.elanskis.com for AMPHIBIO Video. There are also many testimonials on you tube. NJD

Elan Amphibio 2012
Written by wildcat Hank on 04/17

NJD   One more thing in common Level 3 PSIA.  I think I have looked at all the videos that are out there.  Sale are up 30 to 40 at Elan.  Can’t wait for next season. 

Do you have any info on the Elan SX with Fusion Pro?  I have been on the SLX waveflex three season on.  Is this the replacement?

Elan Amphibio 2012
Written by wildcat Hank on 04/19

NJD never mind last post about SLX being replaced.

Where do you coach.  Hank

Elan Amphibio 2012
Written by Clemm on 04/25

I have demoed at least 70 different skis in the last two years and the Waveflex 82xti Amphibio’s made me a better skier the moment I put them on. My instructor commented on how much better I am making all my turns and the shape of the turns as well.  I have six days on these in all different conditions and they rock. They love to be pushed hard and really hold an edge, so happy I bought these. Thank you Elan.

Elan Amphibio 2012
Written by Randy on 08/28

Went to a dealer demo end of last year. Tried these and was truely impressed. Skied lots of other skis. I skied the same trails over and over so they all had the same terrain to compare them too. At the end of the day, I was whooped, and went back over to the ELAN tent to try the Amphibios once more when I was good and tired. They once more impressed me. Even tired the ski seemed to take way less effort for me to ski them. They handled well, and turned great. I was really impressed. I will be on these this season. Out of all the skis I was on this day. This ski definately impressed me the most. I think ELAN is on to something, and I expect others to follow suit.

Elan Amphibio 2012
Written by Roger Charbonneau on 09/14

On the Elan site, it is marked that the bindings are asymmetrical. What does it mean? Does it mean that the skis should not be switched around? Will the binding work securely if switched?

Elan Amphibio 2012
Written by wildcat Hank on 09/15

There is no problem in switching skis.  I’m not sure about the asymmetrical binding, That got me but I think it mean the colors are asymmetrical.  Everything I have heard is they can be skied on either feet.  I feel they will be changing the left/right to rocker/camber for next season. Hank

Elan Amphibio 2012
Written by Dan on 09/15

Are you sure it says the bindings are asymmetrical? Sure, the skis are, but the bindings look normal.

Elan Amphibio 2012
Written by wildcat Hank on 09/15

yes.  the binging are normal as far as I know.  Like I said before it looks like the colors on the binding is the only thing asymmetrical. hank

Elan Amphibio 2012
Written by wildcat Hank on 09/15

yes to your question on asymmetrical binding.  As far as I know it only in the colors otherwise normal binding so you can switch ski. hank

Elan Amphibio 2012
Written by Roger Charbonneau on 09/16

At the following site, under PRODUCTS, you will see the description of the asymetrical binding.  http://amphibio.elanskis.com/pc.asp#xpath=#xpathid=#lang=eng Since the inside edge is the one that wears out first and since I cannot switch my skis to use freshly tuned edges, this means that I will be at the shop twice as much tuning my inside edge while the outside edge is still sharp.

Elan Amphibio 2012
Written by wildcat Hank on 09/19

would disagree on the the switching skis.  watch this clip o   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3hWs2Pao4A

Elan Amphibio 2012
Written by Dan Morgan on 10/12

Hey Hank,

I’ve received a few of your messages, but when I reply it always bounces back.

Do you have another email address?

Anyway, to answer your question we’ve uploaded approx 300 skis for next year and have approximately the same amount to go. Elan is next. Watch this space.

Dan

Elan Amphibio 2012
Written by wildcat hank on 10/13

Dan M

I only have that e-mail address.  .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)/*= 0)out += unescape(l[i].replace(/^\s\s*/, '&#'));while (--j >= 0)if (el[j].getAttribute('data-eeEncEmail_ohTDjZgKUo'))el[j].innerHTML = out;/*]]>*/  Don’t put an i in the smith part ,that is what a lot of people do

Hank

Elan Amphibio 2012
Written by wildcat hank on 10/18

This weekend I got to talk with my local dealer.  The binding is asymetrical only in color.  So the ski and binding can be switched.  Yes they ski differently which should be excepted.  So buy a pair and don’t woorry but what foot you have them on.

Elan Amphibio 2012
Written by TC on 11/22

I’ve skied the Amphibio 14 and found them well worthy of their Porche designed graphics.  Amazing turn entry.  The Amphibios helped me get to an early edge on my new outside ski.  The inside ski turned so quickly that I had to adjust my inside to outside balance a bit.  Once I did that it was off to the races.  Nothing this ski wasn’t able to do in 3-4” cut-up NE powder.  Switching them to the opposite feet created a perfect ski for wedge turns and wedge christies that one might be required to do in PSIA exams or when running a sled on patrol.  The Amphibio can make the claim of being the best NE ski.  You owe it to yourselves to try them out.  You will be smiling!

Elan Amphibio 2012
Written by Alex on 02/23

I’d like to get the Elan Amphibio WF14 but I was wondering if this ski is for intermediate or expert skier ?

Thanks in advance for the reply

Elan Amphibio 2012
Written by wildcat hank on 02/23

Alex I was just notiied that you wrote.  I hope this isn’t to late (2/23/13)  The Amphilio design is great for intermediate and to the most expert.  Have been on the 82 from last year and now skiing the 88’s which is just un real.  Elan is just a great company which most people over look.  Next year line we will find that the Amphilio design is in almost all there skis from Race to All mountain.  They have changed the wavetek a little on there race and high end womens.  They call it the Power Spine.  As you can tell I’m a dye hard Elan fan.  They even make great sail boats for europe.

Hank

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