2027 Faction Dancer 79

The 2027 Faction Dancer 79 returns structurally unchanged for this year, but we do get a hot new graphic to make it stand out. As a light and energetic ski, the Dancer 79 mixes frontside precision with all-mountain versatility. Skiers who are looking to make short carves, easy direction changes, and high energy turns will love the Dancer’s overall character and attitude.

The construction of the ski is fairly simple. They use a poplar wood core and that’s about it. I will say that the addition of their XL 2.5 mm edges does make a difference here as there’s more grip on the snow with a wider edge. This tech is normally used in their park skis for added durability, but that same theory works well in their all-mountain skis too as a booster for firm snow compliance. In the 178, the skis sit on the scale at a stated weight of 1650 g/ski which is pretty darn light. With no metal, the ski is a bit more flexible than its Ti counterpart, but also more energetic. Tester Sage Laundon states that “The ski felt quick and very easy to turn right away. It has a playful, accessible feel without being overly snappy, making it intuitive and confidence-inspiring on groomed terrain. Best suited for groomers and tighter spaces along the sides of trails, where its quickness allows for easy maneuvering and controlled turns. A very relaxed and chill turning experience.”

At 79 mm underfoot and with a bit of a freeride mentality, this ski is a bit of an anomaly as it’s basically a light front side ski with a shapely profile. The 178 has a 17-meter turn radius and measurements of 118/79/107. There’s a bit of tip and tail rocker and a rounded shape to the ski which makes it easy to turn in softer snow while retaining positive energy on firmer stuff. You can make very quick and peppy turns on this ski as it makes for a wonderful mogul and tight tree option. We get some nice feedback from Kristin Connors who notes that “The Faction Dancer 79 is simply a joy to ski. It strikes an impressive balance between dampness and energy, offering a smooth, composed ride without feeling overly muted. It has a playful personality, but stays controlled and predictable, never feeling too snappy or twitchy. There’s a solid connection to the snow that inspires confidence, while still feeling quick and responsive edge-to-edge. On groomers, it feels lively and precise, making it easy to link turns and maintain a smooth rhythm down the fall line. This was my first time on Faction skis so I didn't know what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised at how fun these were. They nailed the blend of power, stability, and playful.”

The blend is the big story here as Faction puts something out there into the world that really doesn’t exist. This is a high-end ski with a high-performance ceiling but also a very approachable character. You don’t have to be a super aggressive skier to fully enjoy this ski, you just have to want to have fun on the hill, and Faction nails it with the Dancer 79.