2027 Faction Prodigy 1 Capsule

The 2027 Faction Prodigy 1 is a light and fun-loving ski that gets a new graphic for this year but returns structurally unchanged. These directional twin tip skis have been fan-favorites for years now, and that trend will certainly continue into this upcoming year. There are a lot of skiers out there that like to mix it up between on-piste, off-piste, and park to maximize their ski day. The Prodigy 1 is a great example of a ski that can do just that. It’s 88 mm underfoot, so it has more of an on-trail style in terms of width, but there’s enough rocker and flex to make it amenable to adventurous and creative skiing no matter the conditions or terrain. Some skiers will use this exclusively as a park ski, and we’re not going to tell them they’re wrong. Whether you’re park-curious or a full-on competitor, the Prodigy 1 has something for everyone.

Faction does a nice job at implementing sophisticated construction even into lighter twins. We get a strong all-mountain build in this ski again for 2027. Built with a sturdy core made from poplar and ash stringers, the Prodigy 1 is sturdier than many skiers will give it credit for. We also get a carbon/rubber stomp pad in the underfoot zone to protect the skier from numerous harsh impacts over the years. This not only helps with the cushioning feeling of landing big jumps, but the carbon and rubber add to the underfoot stiffness and stability to the mix to create an upper-level feel. Like most skis that are meant to be used in the park, the Prodigy 1 features XL 2.5 mm steel edges to increase durability and grip. This adds to the longevity of the ski and boosts confidence when airing into large disasters. In the 178, the Prodigy 1 in the 178 sits on the scale at 1750-grams per ski. This is on the lighter side considering there’s ash in the core, but also right on the money given the waist width and overall narrow shape. Tester Allison Ruschp notes that “The Prodigy 1 surprised me the most out of all the skis I have tried this year. It was fun, easy to turn and had excellent edge control on hard surfaces. For being a twin tip, I was surprised how nicely it carved and stayed in the turn as I power through the end of the turn. All terrain ski, from moguls, groomers to the park (I assume, since I do not hit the park), this ski has to be on of the most versatile skis out there, stands up to hard east coast ice while still playful and fun in the bumpy terrain. This ski changed my mind about Faction skis, Im now looking forward to trying a few more.”

With quickness and energy due to both build and shape, this ski is all about playful versatility. With measurements of 120/88/112, there’s not a significant taper drop here, making this ski somewhat symmetrical from tip to tail. It feels more like a directional twin than not, and the rocker profile matches that feeling. The Prodigy 1 uses 18% tip rocker and 14% tail rocker, and that’s a bigger indicator of the intended style versus the sidecut measurements. We get some good positive camber (3mm) underfoot to add to the poppy feeling of the ski and the edge grip. This makes the Prodigy 1 a surprisingly good carver in softer groomers. Ice is a challenge, but not impossible. Also in the 178, we get a 17-meter turn radius. This aids in the ease of initiation and completion of the arc, making the ski comfortable in a variety of turn shapes and styles regardless of where you’re skiing and how fast. We got some good feedback from Sam Ferrino who notes that “The skis felt flexible and playful. They were very light and easy to make quick turns with. I’d recommend it for the park. It felt like a true park ski because of how flexible and light it was. Any ability level can use this ski. It’s forgiving enough for a beginner and can hold up at high speeds for advanced riders.”

Faction continues to charge forward in the fun-loving twin tip world. This Prodigy has its own path charted, and it mainly flows through the more creative terrain of the mountain. Skiers in the intermediate range who are looking to progress and get into slopestyle skiing will get along just fine with this ski. Those that are looking for top-speed stability, precision, and power may want to examine other 88’s, and that’s fine. Park, freeride, and fun-loving skiers will all fit great into the Prodigy 1. Whether you’re competing or just enjoying, this ski does have a broad range for a wide group of skiers from intermediate to expert levels.