2026 Faction Prodigy 2

tester:

Adrian Hayden

Ability: Expert
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 175 lbs.
Days / Year: 100
Age: 21
Years Skiing: 20

Fast / aggressive / playful

Ski:

2026 Faction Prodigy 2 Skis

Size Tested:

178 CM

Location, Terrain, Snow Conditions Notes

corn, bumps and groomers

Did this length feel short, long, or just right? Would you recommend sizing up or down, or does it ski "true to size?" Would you choose this length for yourself?

true to size

Scores

Floatation:5/10

Stability:4/10

Quickness:4/10

Playfulness:6/10

Forgiveness:8/10

Edge Grip:3/10

Versatility:4/10

Overall:4/10

What's your first impression of this ski? How did it feel?

Soft ski, unsupportive tail, this ski is ok but the best word for the ski is inprecise.

For what type of terrain would you recommend this ski? Why does it perform well in that terrain?

Park, soft snow, uniform snow, it does not handle chop well or ungulations.

What's the appropriate ability level and/or style for this ski? Why is it appropriate for that type of skier?

Beginner - expert, this ski is soft and forgiving but does not feel like it wants to be pushed.

If you could change anything about these skis, what would you change and why?

If it was lighter, the softness would be easier to use and the inprecision would become more forgiveable.

tester:

Eli Moskowitz

Ability: Expert
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 165
Days / Year: 90
Age: 24
Years Skiing: 23

Aggressive, fast, playful

Ski:

2026 Faction Prodigy 2 Skis

Size Tested:

184 CM

Location, Terrain, Snow Conditions Notes

Spring corn, bumps groomers

Did this length feel short, long, or just right? Would you recommend sizing up or down, or does it ski "true to size?" Would you choose this length for yourself?

Felt good for sizing.

Scores

Floatation:5/10

Stability:7/10

Quickness:3/10

Playfulness:4/10

Forgiveness:5/10

Edge Grip:7/10

Versatility:6/10

Overall:5/10

What's your first impression of this ski? How did it feel?

I felt like it was very damp and heavy.

For what type of terrain would you recommend this ski? Why does it perform well in that terrain?

Park, all mountain.

What's the appropriate ability level and/or style for this ski? Why is it appropriate for that type of skier?

All levels.

If you could change anything about these skis, what would you change and why?

A little lighter.

tester:

Allison Kozar

Ability: Expert
Height: 5'2"
Weight: 110
Days / Year: 30-40
Age: 39
Years Skiing: Since utero

I got a fever, and the only prescription is more powder.

Ski:

2026 Faction Prodigy 2 Skis

Size Tested:

165 CM

Location, Terrain, Snow Conditions Notes

Perry Merrill, soft corn snow with some scratchy parts.

Did this length feel short, long, or just right? Would you recommend sizing up or down, or does it ski "true to size?" Would you choose this length for yourself?

Perfect

Scores

Floatation:9/10

Stability:9/10

Quickness:9/10

Playfulness:9/10

Forgiveness:9/10

Edge Grip:8/10

Versatility:9/10

Overall:10/10

What's your first impression of this ski? How did it feel?

This is my absolute favorite ski in my quiver. My Prodigy 2X is about 4 years old, and the addition of the stomp pad underneath is noticeable. It gives this current model a damper feeling, but doesn’t lose any of the responsiveness the Prodigy has been known to provide.

For what type of terrain would you recommend this ski? Why does it perform well in that terrain?

This ski can go anywhere! Groomers, moguls, glades, out of bounds, etc.

What's the appropriate ability level and/or style for this ski? Why is it appropriate for that type of skier?

Advanced to expert. It likes to be surfy, but you can’t get lazy with this ski.

If you could change anything about these skis, what would you change and why?

Since I’m consider replacing my older model, I would say I am not in love with the nautical graphic.

tester:

Allarie Sullivan

Ability: Advanced
Height: 5'4"
Weight: 140
Days / Year: 60
Age: 35
Years Skiing: 30

Classic, but with t-rex arms

Ski:

2026 Faction Prodigy 2 Skis

Size Tested:

165 CM

Location, Terrain, Snow Conditions Notes

Sticky spring smooth and bumps

Did this length feel short, long, or just right? Would you recommend sizing up or down, or does it ski "true to size?" Would you choose this length for yourself?

Just right

Scores

Floatation:8/10

Stability:8/10

Quickness:9/10

Playfulness:9/10

Forgiveness:9/10

Edge Grip:8/10

Versatility:7/10

Overall:8/10

What's your first impression of this ski? How did it feel?

Ready to party.

For what type of terrain would you recommend this ski? Why does it perform well in that terrain?

They seem like they could hold up anywhere but would excel in the bumps with their mobility.

What's the appropriate ability level and/or style for this ski? Why is it appropriate for that type of skier?

Nice for an intermediate with the ability to take it easy while still having fun. Room to go fast and step it up to advanced as well.

If you could change anything about these skis, what would you change and why?

Make it self waxing.

tester:

Ashley Turner

Ability: Advanced
Height: 5'5"
Weight: 170 lbs.
Days / Year: 25
Age: 26
Years Skiing: 21

Hard charging, love to challenge myself on steeps and moguls

Ski:

2026 Faction Prodigy 2 Skis

Size Tested:

165 CM

Location, Terrain, Snow Conditions Notes

Warm slushy corn

Did this length feel short, long, or just right? Would you recommend sizing up or down, or does it ski "true to size?" Would you choose this length for yourself?

Good length

Scores

Floatation:7/10

Stability:7/10

Quickness:9/10

Playfulness:10/10

Forgiveness:8/10

Edge Grip:7/10

Versatility:8/10

Overall:8/10

What's your first impression of this ski? How did it feel?

Very fun and playful ski, it performed very well in the slushy corn and was fun off side hits. Good maneuverability and very versatile. I feel like I could ski anything and have fun with these.

For what type of terrain would you recommend this ski? Why does it perform well in that terrain?

All terrain, forgiving and playful but can charge hard.

What's the appropriate ability level and/or style for this ski? Why is it appropriate for that type of skier?

Intermediate to advanced. It might be tough for a beginner to control because of how playful it is.

If you could change anything about these skis, what would you change and why?

I would like to try it in a longer length.

tester:

Megan Papineau

Ability: Expert
Height: 5'1"
Weight: 120
Days / Year: 10
Age: 38
Years Skiing: 36

Former racer

Ski:

2026 Faction Prodigy 2 Skis

Size Tested:

165 CM

Location, Terrain, Snow Conditions Notes

Stowe gondola, warm heavy snow

Did this length feel short, long, or just right? Would you recommend sizing up or down, or does it ski "true to size?" Would you choose this length for yourself?

True to size, just right

Scores

Floatation:6/10

Stability:7/10

Quickness:6/10

Playfulness:7/10

Forgiveness:7/10

Edge Grip:6/10

Versatility:7/10

Overall:7/10

What's your first impression of this ski? How did it feel?

I probably didn’t ski this ski to its potential but nothing really stood out good or bad.

For what type of terrain would you recommend this ski? Why does it perform well in that terrain?

Park? Otherwise, kinda all mountain but I’m not convinced it floats well.

What's the appropriate ability level and/or style for this ski? Why is it appropriate for that type of skier?

Intermediate to expert?

If you could change anything about these skis, what would you change and why?

Love the graphics.

tester:

Lauren Morton

Ability: Expert
Height: 5'4"
Weight: 132
Days / Year: 30
Age: 36
Years Skiing: 30+

Lifelong skier that's up for anything!

Ski:

2026 Faction Prodigy 2 Skis

Size Tested:

164 CM

Location, Terrain, Snow Conditions Notes

Soft granular

Did this length feel short, long, or just right? Would you recommend sizing up or down, or does it ski "true to size?" Would you choose this length for yourself?

Skied short

Scores

Floatation:8/10

Stability:7/10

Quickness:8/10

Playfulness:8/10

Forgiveness:8/10

Edge Grip:7/10

Versatility:8/10

Overall:8/10

What's your first impression of this ski? How did it feel?

Forgiving and playful and soft snow.

For what type of terrain would you recommend this ski? Why does it perform well in that terrain?

Most terrain. Not sure how it would be in groomed hard pack.

What's the appropriate ability level and/or style for this ski? Why is it appropriate for that type of skier?

Intermediate and advanced.

If you could change anything about these skis, what would you change and why?

Not sure.

tester:

Zach Johnson

Ability: Expert
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 175 lbs.
Days / Year: 50
Age: 49
Years Skiing: 40

I love to turn the doorknob and make lots of turns. Enjoy carving the groomers but usually keep the speed in check these days.

Ski:

2026 Faction Prodigy 2 Skis

Size Tested:

183 CM

Location, Terrain, Snow Conditions Notes

Mushy moguls and groomers. Stowe

Did this length feel short, long, or just right? Would you recommend sizing up or down, or does it ski "true to size?" Would you choose this length for yourself?

True to size

Scores

Floatation:7/10

Stability:7/10

Quickness:7/10

Playfulness:8/10

Forgiveness:7/10

Edge Grip:7/10

Versatility:7/10

Overall:6/10

What's your first impression of this ski? How did it feel?

More stable than I expected. Similar to the Black Crows Camox though with a bit less camber. 183 felt a bit short but it’s super sticky as I am testing these.

For what type of terrain would you recommend this ski? Why does it perform well in that terrain?

All mountain.

What's the appropriate ability level and/or style for this ski? Why is it appropriate for that type of skier?

Intermediate/advanced.

If you could change anything about these skis, what would you change and why?

185 would be a good length option.

tester:

Christopher Lee

Ability: Advanced
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 204 lbs.
Days / Year: 70
Age: 44
Years Skiing: 41

Fast, smooth and a lil reckless

Ski:

2026 Faction Prodigy 2 Skis

Size Tested:

183 CM

Location, Terrain, Snow Conditions Notes

Ran these sticks twice on the six pack with the quad not working. Snow was push pile style groomers.

Did this length feel short, long, or just right? Would you recommend sizing up or down, or does it ski "true to size?" Would you choose this length for yourself?

PERFECT Size for my body type and skier ability -

Scores

Floatation:9/10

Stability:8/10

Quickness:7/10

Playfulness:9/10

Forgiveness:8/10

Edge Grip:7/10

Versatility:8/10

Overall:8/10

What's your first impression of this ski? How did it feel?

Space graphic, no changes but maybe new glue makes it a tad damper. Really nice swing weight here and the ski jumps into a turn really easily and holds underfoot in any kind of tough crud or hardpack. Very flowy... turn to turn. Nice forgiving ski with solid edge grip for cold Vermont mornings. Fun do everything sticks.

For what type of terrain would you recommend this ski? Why does it perform well in that terrain?

I would take this stick anywhere from an early AM groomer to powder turns in nosedive trees. Very easy to maneuver and turn and has excellent float.

What's the appropriate ability level and/or style for this ski? Why is it appropriate for that type of skier?

Mid Level 2 to Level 3 plus - the skier that doesn't need a metal stiff ski on hardpack and will make it work anywhere across the mountain.

If you could change anything about these skis, what would you change and why?

Didn't love the space graphic and color scheme... I love the simpleness of the Dance series skis and how they look.

Jeff submitted 2 test cards — select one:

tester:

Jeff Neagle

Ability: Expert
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 160
Days / Year: 0
Age: 39
Years Skiing: 37

Flowy, creative, as smooth as I can be.

Ski:

2026 Faction Prodigy 2 Skis

Size Tested:

177 CM

Location, Terrain, Snow Conditions Notes

Stowe, packed powder, mostly groomers, some off trail.

Did this length feel short, long, or just right? Would you recommend sizing up or down, or does it ski "true to size?" Would you choose this length for yourself?

True to size, I like this length. Like the 183 too.

Scores

Floatation:7/10

Stability:7/10

Quickness:8/10

Playfulness:8/10

Forgiveness:7/10

Edge Grip:7/10

Versatility:9/10

Overall:9/10

What's your first impression of this ski? How did it feel?

The Prodigy 2 is a fantastic all mountain twin tip. It feels less park focused than the Studio to me and more like a real all-mountain ski that you could also take into the park from time to time. I think a lot of skiers out there would really enjoy it. There's a lot of camber, so you can push on it pretty hard and actually carve some nice turns, but then the shape allows for a lot of playfulness and creativity off trail. It's very fun to ski regardless of where you take it.

For what type of terrain would you recommend this ski? Why does it perform well in that terrain?

Ski it anywhere! Groomers, moguls, trees, park... it would even handle some relatively deep snow, say up to 8 inches or so before it would get bogged down. Truly a versatile ski.

What's the appropriate ability level and/or style for this ski? Why is it appropriate for that type of skier?

I think it's best for an advanced or expert level skier, but it's not completely out of the realm for an intermediate. Actually yeah, I don't think it would be a bad decision for an intermediate at all the more I think about it. Nothing about it would be too challenging for an intermediate, and it may open up new terrain for skiers like that.

If you could change anything about these skis, what would you change and why?

Love it, wouldn't change a thing. I personally prefer the Studio 2, but the Prodigy is better for most skiers.

2026 SkiEssentials Ski TestWith a park-inspired feel on a wider, more versatile chassis, the 2026 Faction Prodigy 2 brings poppy energy and smooth power to creative skiers exploring the whole mountain.

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