Elan Marks 80 Years of Shaping the Future of Skiing

Elan, a global ski brand rooted in the Slovenian Alps, marks 80 years of innovation and craftsmanship. Founded in 1945 in Begunje, Elan has grown from a small alpine workshop into one of the world’s most awarded ski manufacturers, shaping the future of skiing for generations worldwide.

To mark its 80th anniversary, Elan has donated 80 pairs of racing skis to young athletes with the Ski Association of Slovenia - a gesture underscoring Elan’s commitment to support the future generations of athletes and the sport.

“With Elan skis, top athletes have written their greatest stories. It is an honour to support the next generation of skiers and  and their ambitions in this beautiful sport.  We believe it is important to actively empower young people so that skiing remains relevant and attractive for the future,” said Leon Korošec, Director of the Sports Division and Vice President of the Elan Group.

Founded in 1945 by Rudi Finžgar, every Elan ski has been 100% handcrafted in the Alps for eight decades - built start-to-finish at the company’s single-site headquarters. That deep connection to place has shaped Elan’s identity while fuelling its global reach, from first shipments to the United States in the 1950s to today’s presence in ski shops around the world.

“Elan is a global brand, but our heart will always be in the Slovenian Alps. For 80 years, our purpose has been clear: to make every skier better, and that continues to guide our team as we look to the future,” said Korošec.

Innovation has always defined Elan. The ground-breaking Elan SCX - the world’s first carving ski has forever changed how people ski, and every modern ski carries a piece of that DNA. Today, Elan continues to push boundaries with products like the Elan Voyager, the world’s first folding all-mountain ski.

Elan’s single-site production model keeps design, R&D, and manufacturing under one roof - a rare advantage in the ski industry. Sustainability is deeply embedded in Elan’s DNA. One hundred percent of the electricity used in Begunje comes from renewable sources, with 7,000 solar panels supplying over 30 percent of the company’s energy needs, complemented by a biomass plant that further reduces its environmental footprint. More than 80 percent of materials are sourced within 400 kilometres, and the factory is ISO 14001 and ISO 9001 certified for its environmental and quality management systems, thus making Elan a recognized leader in sustainable ski production.

From past icons to current champions, Elan has been a part of skiing’s biggest victories. Legendary racer Ingemar Stenmark captured 86 World Cup wins on Elan skis. Modern stars like Ryan Regez, Filip Flisar, Peter Prevc and Bojan Križaj have carried the legacy forward, earning Olympic medals, crystal globes, and ski cross world titles. At the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics, Elan athletes brought home four of six ski cross medals, including golds for Kelsey Serwa and Brady Leman.