The 2021 Faction Candide series have gone through a major change in construction, sidecut and build quality this year. Those who would normally overlook a “twin tip park/freestyle” ski like this might be missing out as their versatility and performance is now comparable to many reference skis in their widths.
Faction has moved all their ski construction into the Fisher ski plant increasing build quality and significantly improving the consistency of their products. They have always had a reputation for fun, playful skis that were loved in freestyle circles but stories of broken skis were common. Faction had(and still have) a 2 year warranty even with the Candide park skis and they seemed to happily replace any defective skis. Have not heard of any issues with the 2021 versions.
For 2021 the Candide line has been updated with heavier wood cores, much stiffer overall flex, new sidecuts and extra dampening materials. The quality of construction is MILES better than before and the skis factory tune much more in line with the industry leaders. Models have gained 200-400grams vs last years versions. Mild tip/tail taper so they still have good edge grip and longer turning radius for more stability. The Candide line is now more aimed at aggressive, all mountain skiers that want a ski more playful than a traditional charger.
All Candide models are still fairly symmetrical in sidecut, so the recommended “Candide mount point” is closer to center. The narrower, more symmetrical skis like the CT 1.0 are only a few cm back of center for their mounting point. The skis get more directional as they get wider. All models -rocker/camber/rocker with a twin tip.
The factory Candide mount point is for those who mostly ski in the terrain park, ski switch and have a more centered stance. If you wanted a more playful “all mountain freestyle” feel and like the ability to drive your skis more, then you measure back 1.5cm(like I did) for the “progressive” mount point. If you’re used to more traditional mounts and have never INTENTIONALLY skied backwards, ski with a more forward stance and wanted the best carving performance, you would measure back 3.0cm from the Candide mark for the “traditional” mount point.
On all other Faction skis, the recommended factory mount is the “traditional” line and you move the mount FORWARD 1.5cm to the Progressive or 3cm forward to the “New School/Candide” line.
51yr old, 6’2”/175lbs expert that likes to ski fast if the conditions allow. Enjoy high speed carving as much as getting air on side hits.
Candide 2.0 183cm-Dimensions 131/102/127mm, 20m radius, 2280gr each, Candide line -3.5cm from center(I’m 5cm back or “progressive” mount), 1/2 factory edge tune that I changed to 1/3.
I got the 183cm CT 2.0 this year on a deal from a local rep thinking if I didn’t like it, I’d sell it and be even. The factory tune wasn’t awful but it was a bit edge high so I got it stone ground and reset the edges with a 1/3 tune vs the 1/2 factory tune. Sharp tip/tail with rounding above the taper points to reduce top sheet damage. The tip/tail are semi cap to protect from damage and the top sheet as a rough finish that helps them from looking scratched. Faction added an additional titanal plate above the base underfoot in the 1.0 and 2.0 to decrease rail damage in the park but it adds some dampening too. Titanal plate for binding retention as well on all Candide models.
The ski has a similar weight and flex to the 183cm 2021 Bonifide 97 but has rubber damping tip/tail/underfoot, so it’s like an even quieter Bonafide 97 that’s a twin tip. Still playful in bumps and trees and a 20m radius so doesn’t mind going straight at speed too. Similar feel to the 187cm Dynastar Menace 98 but with a more versatile turn radius and easier to ski off piste.
Carves very well at all speeds with great edge grip. Even flex pattern tip to tail in-between the flex of the softer Enforcer 104 and slightly stiffer Fisher 102 FR. Sold my Enforcer 104 and Fisher 102 FR as the CT 2.0 was a nice blend of the carving ability of the Fisher with even better suspension and dampening than the Enforcer 104. Not as loose in the tail as the Enforcer 104 and more similar to the Fisher 102 in that regard.
Not the greatest float for it’s 102mm width with it’s narrow tip and not as light on it’s feet as the Fisher 102 FR. Very tank like through rough terrain with it’s weight, dampening and flex designed to ski fast and aggressively. Will use it for my daily driver for trips out west. Great in afternoon crud and Spring snow.
Candide 3.0 184cm-Dimensions 140/112/134mm, 21m radius, 2210 grams each, Candide line -5.2cm from center(I’m-6.7cm back) and 1/2 edge tune that I kept.
I liked the 2.0 so much I got the 3.0! Like the 2.0 it added a heavier wood(poplar) core this year and got stiffer flex tip/tail vs the lighter(250 grams) 2020 version. Loses the extra rubber damping of the 1.0 and 2.0 as well as the extra titanal sheet above the base for rail protection but still fairly damp with good suspension. Slightly stiffer than the 2.0 but similar, even throughout flex pattern. Factory tune was pretty good with no stone grind required and just a touch up on the edges.
SHOCKINGLY good grip and carving ability for it’s width and yet it’s an absolute blast in moguls and tight trees. I’ve used this ski in firm mornings that turn into heavy crud afternoons and it was fantastic. More tip/tail rocker and splay than CT 2.0 so it’s even better at going over rough terrain. The turning radius of 21m is pretty versatile at all speeds and has no problem going straight at high speeds.
Reminds me a lot of the 192cm MFree 108 but easier to manage in really tight spots for my 6’2”/175lb size and it’s a more powerful carver. The 190cm CT 3.0 version goes to 23m radius and adds another 50-100grams or so of weight. Could see a lot of Rustler 11 fans who want a beefier ski without much weight gain liking this ski as well as Enforcer 110 fans that a higher top end and better carving ability.
Candide 1.0 183 cm 122/92/120mm, 20m radius, 2200 grams each, -2cm Candide line(I’m -4cm) and 1/2 factory tune changed to 1/3.
The most symmetrical shape of the group and the stiffest by a hair over the CT 3.0. It has the rubber dampening tip/tail/underfoot like the 2.0 along with extra titanal sheet above the base. Least amount of rocker tip/tail and not much taper so it should have great edge grip. Another very flat base from the factory that just needed some edge tuning.
Haven’t been able to ski these year but with their very similar shapes, weight and flex to the other 2 Candide models it should ski very similar.
The flex is noticeably stiffer than my 184cm Kendo 88s and the CT 1.0 is 200 grams heavier. The CT 1.0 has a similar weight, lack of tip/tail taper and flex to the 183cm Brahma 88 with even more dampening and less carbon so it should be very quiet on hard snow like the CT 2.0. The CT 1.0 should be even more playful and easy to pivot than an Enforcer 88 but more comfortable at speed with it’s longer turning radius and quieter on the snow.
Should be more stable with better edge grip than skis like a JSkis Master Blaster and more solid feeling than the much lighter Fisher Ranger 94 FR or Rustler 9.
Like the Candide 2.0, the 1.0 isn’t going to have the greatest float for it’s width with it’s narrower tip. They all have a “wide gs ski” shape that sacrifice float for being quick edge to edge and stability at speed.
So if you’re someone that wants a solid, damp ski that seems to get better the more aggressive you ski, definitely check out the 2021 Candide line up. Even if you loved or hated previous Faction skis, these are so different they are worth a look. Playful skis that charge and carve better than a twin tip has any right too!
Left to Right-Candide 3.0, 2.0 and 1.0 with rocker profile. Ignore the red Summer wax.
Faction has moved all their ski construction into the Fisher ski plant increasing build quality and significantly improving the consistency of their products. They have always had a reputation for fun, playful skis that were loved in freestyle circles but stories of broken skis were common. Faction had(and still have) a 2 year warranty even with the Candide park skis and they seemed to happily replace any defective skis. Have not heard of any issues with the 2021 versions.
For 2021 the Candide line has been updated with heavier wood cores, much stiffer overall flex, new sidecuts and extra dampening materials. The quality of construction is MILES better than before and the skis factory tune much more in line with the industry leaders. Models have gained 200-400grams vs last years versions. Mild tip/tail taper so they still have good edge grip and longer turning radius for more stability. The Candide line is now more aimed at aggressive, all mountain skiers that want a ski more playful than a traditional charger.
All Candide models are still fairly symmetrical in sidecut, so the recommended “Candide mount point” is closer to center. The narrower, more symmetrical skis like the CT 1.0 are only a few cm back of center for their mounting point. The skis get more directional as they get wider. All models -rocker/camber/rocker with a twin tip.
The factory Candide mount point is for those who mostly ski in the terrain park, ski switch and have a more centered stance. If you wanted a more playful “all mountain freestyle” feel and like the ability to drive your skis more, then you measure back 1.5cm(like I did) for the “progressive” mount point. If you’re used to more traditional mounts and have never INTENTIONALLY skied backwards, ski with a more forward stance and wanted the best carving performance, you would measure back 3.0cm from the Candide mark for the “traditional” mount point.
On all other Faction skis, the recommended factory mount is the “traditional” line and you move the mount FORWARD 1.5cm to the Progressive or 3cm forward to the “New School/Candide” line.
51yr old, 6’2”/175lbs expert that likes to ski fast if the conditions allow. Enjoy high speed carving as much as getting air on side hits.
Candide 2.0 183cm-Dimensions 131/102/127mm, 20m radius, 2280gr each, Candide line -3.5cm from center(I’m 5cm back or “progressive” mount), 1/2 factory edge tune that I changed to 1/3.
I got the 183cm CT 2.0 this year on a deal from a local rep thinking if I didn’t like it, I’d sell it and be even. The factory tune wasn’t awful but it was a bit edge high so I got it stone ground and reset the edges with a 1/3 tune vs the 1/2 factory tune. Sharp tip/tail with rounding above the taper points to reduce top sheet damage. The tip/tail are semi cap to protect from damage and the top sheet as a rough finish that helps them from looking scratched. Faction added an additional titanal plate above the base underfoot in the 1.0 and 2.0 to decrease rail damage in the park but it adds some dampening too. Titanal plate for binding retention as well on all Candide models.
The ski has a similar weight and flex to the 183cm 2021 Bonifide 97 but has rubber damping tip/tail/underfoot, so it’s like an even quieter Bonafide 97 that’s a twin tip. Still playful in bumps and trees and a 20m radius so doesn’t mind going straight at speed too. Similar feel to the 187cm Dynastar Menace 98 but with a more versatile turn radius and easier to ski off piste.
Carves very well at all speeds with great edge grip. Even flex pattern tip to tail in-between the flex of the softer Enforcer 104 and slightly stiffer Fisher 102 FR. Sold my Enforcer 104 and Fisher 102 FR as the CT 2.0 was a nice blend of the carving ability of the Fisher with even better suspension and dampening than the Enforcer 104. Not as loose in the tail as the Enforcer 104 and more similar to the Fisher 102 in that regard.
Not the greatest float for it’s 102mm width with it’s narrow tip and not as light on it’s feet as the Fisher 102 FR. Very tank like through rough terrain with it’s weight, dampening and flex designed to ski fast and aggressively. Will use it for my daily driver for trips out west. Great in afternoon crud and Spring snow.
Candide 3.0 184cm-Dimensions 140/112/134mm, 21m radius, 2210 grams each, Candide line -5.2cm from center(I’m-6.7cm back) and 1/2 edge tune that I kept.
I liked the 2.0 so much I got the 3.0! Like the 2.0 it added a heavier wood(poplar) core this year and got stiffer flex tip/tail vs the lighter(250 grams) 2020 version. Loses the extra rubber damping of the 1.0 and 2.0 as well as the extra titanal sheet above the base for rail protection but still fairly damp with good suspension. Slightly stiffer than the 2.0 but similar, even throughout flex pattern. Factory tune was pretty good with no stone grind required and just a touch up on the edges.
SHOCKINGLY good grip and carving ability for it’s width and yet it’s an absolute blast in moguls and tight trees. I’ve used this ski in firm mornings that turn into heavy crud afternoons and it was fantastic. More tip/tail rocker and splay than CT 2.0 so it’s even better at going over rough terrain. The turning radius of 21m is pretty versatile at all speeds and has no problem going straight at high speeds.
Reminds me a lot of the 192cm MFree 108 but easier to manage in really tight spots for my 6’2”/175lb size and it’s a more powerful carver. The 190cm CT 3.0 version goes to 23m radius and adds another 50-100grams or so of weight. Could see a lot of Rustler 11 fans who want a beefier ski without much weight gain liking this ski as well as Enforcer 110 fans that a higher top end and better carving ability.
Candide 1.0 183 cm 122/92/120mm, 20m radius, 2200 grams each, -2cm Candide line(I’m -4cm) and 1/2 factory tune changed to 1/3.
The most symmetrical shape of the group and the stiffest by a hair over the CT 3.0. It has the rubber dampening tip/tail/underfoot like the 2.0 along with extra titanal sheet above the base. Least amount of rocker tip/tail and not much taper so it should have great edge grip. Another very flat base from the factory that just needed some edge tuning.
Haven’t been able to ski these year but with their very similar shapes, weight and flex to the other 2 Candide models it should ski very similar.
The flex is noticeably stiffer than my 184cm Kendo 88s and the CT 1.0 is 200 grams heavier. The CT 1.0 has a similar weight, lack of tip/tail taper and flex to the 183cm Brahma 88 with even more dampening and less carbon so it should be very quiet on hard snow like the CT 2.0. The CT 1.0 should be even more playful and easy to pivot than an Enforcer 88 but more comfortable at speed with it’s longer turning radius and quieter on the snow.
Should be more stable with better edge grip than skis like a JSkis Master Blaster and more solid feeling than the much lighter Fisher Ranger 94 FR or Rustler 9.
Like the Candide 2.0, the 1.0 isn’t going to have the greatest float for it’s width with it’s narrower tip. They all have a “wide gs ski” shape that sacrifice float for being quick edge to edge and stability at speed.
So if you’re someone that wants a solid, damp ski that seems to get better the more aggressive you ski, definitely check out the 2021 Candide line up. Even if you loved or hated previous Faction skis, these are so different they are worth a look. Playful skis that charge and carve better than a twin tip has any right too!
Left to Right-Candide 3.0, 2.0 and 1.0 with rocker profile. Ignore the red Summer wax.