2026 Faction Dancer 1

For 2026, the Faction Dancer 1 returns totally unchanged. This ski comes in two different colorways and both are built the same and offer the same sizing structure. As one of the quicker and most agile skis with multiple sheets of metal on the planet, the Faction Dancer 1 is a prime example of a useful ski for those who value maneuverability and energy above all else. Faction, while typically better known for freestyle and freeride skis, does a great job with this all-mountain ski that has a wonderful mix of pop and damping while keeping the playful aspect of skiing firmly in touch. Skiers who are typically in the Faction world of wider and more surfy skis will certainly see this Dancer 1 as a front side option, while those outside the normal realm of Faction, will see a narrow freeride ski with endless versatility. Both are correct, giving skiers the ability to transition from on-trail to off-piste in the blink of an eye. It’s one of the more surprising skis out there based on feedback we receive each year. Providing power, pep, and a supportive feel, Dancer 1 is an overachieving ski in the mid-80's.

Faction includes some strong and sophisticated construction in their Dancer skis. For an 86, this ski has some serious tech going on. Built with a light poplar wood core, the ski gets a snappy and energetic start. By bookending the core with two sheets of metal, Faction brings the performance of the Dancer 1 to the next level. The metal adds a pile of stability and grip to the mix, providing high-performance attributes to intermediate through advanced skiers looking to make it to the next level. For some, this ski will be a steppingstone, while for others, it will be a landing pad. The fact that the Dancer 1 provides a strong performance at a lighter weight makes this ski cross a lot of different boundaries in the ski world, and that is a good thing. In the 178, we’re looking at a relatively light weight of 1720 grams—good enough for quickness while the metal still brings it to another plane of performance. It doesn’t feel like it’s heavy or light, rather natural and fun on the feet. Tester Annie MacDonald notes that while the skis were “Not very playful in the soft snow or bumps, but was surprised when I got them up to speed on hard pack… they turned on and preformed much better.”

Overall, our testers were quite impressed with the capabilities of these skis. As a somewhat narrow ski, especially in the Faction world, the Dancer 1’s 86 mm waist is about as quick as it gets for a freeride/all-mountain option. The waist is surrounded by 120 mm tips and 110 mm tails to provide smooth and precise grip and pop from short turns to long. The stated radius of 18-meters can be easily broken, allowing for shorter to mid-radius turns and more poppy and lively skiing. This is great for bumps and trees as the ski is very easy to get from one edge to the next with minimal complaints. There’s not a lot of tail rocker here, with the Dancer mainly sticking to the fully cambered side of the spectrum. For those that spend most of their time on-trail, this is a good thing as it provides a longer effective edge for a smoother overall feel. Camber goes a long way at bringing a traditional and energetic feel to the ski. Megan Papineau says “I loved it! Fun, playful, and reliable. maybe limited in powder.”

While we think they're great skis, they may get lost in a pretty competitive field. While there’s a range of skier that will certainly benefit from the snappy agility of the Dancer 1, the intermediates who spend most of their time on-trail will likely see the biggest boost. The off-trail mentality will eventually filter in, and since the ski is more than capable of exploration and adventure, those skiers will easily hear the call of the woods and bumps, finding it harder and harder to resist the lure of the off-trail realm. The blend of firm snow capacity and quickness off-trail is enough to entice a new set of ski buyers.