2027 Faction Prodigy 3 Capsule

For wide twin tip freeride performance, the Faction Prodigy 3 is a shining example of the brand’s commitment to fun and creativity. This ski gets a graphic update for 2027 but returns otherwise unchanged. For creative skiers and those who love to smear and surf on soft snow while leaving some room for turning on the groomers, the Prodigy 3 has a wide platform for a twin tip that is as useful as it is playful. By combining a somewhat basic build with an innovative shape, Faction opens the world of modern freeride skiing to the masses. It’s rare that a ski can be friendly and aggressive, but it’s that kind of blend that you’re getting with this 106 mm directional twin from a company whose roots are steeped in adventure and fun. Each of the past two winters, we found a lot to like about the Prodigy 3, both on and off-trail.

Faction does a nice job at getting a lot of performance out of these skis. While some simple constructions can equate to a ski that’s not a whole lot of fun, that of the Prodigy 3 is quite the opposite. Using a full poplar wood core that blends energy and stability, this ski is ready to roll whether you’re taking it easy out there or laying down some mean tracks on the technical zones of the mountain. To increase durability, the ski uses XL 2.5mm edges that are wider and thicker than the normal ones Faction uses. This not only adds grip, but also strength and stamina. Maybe you’re not using these as park or rail skis, but even in the backcountry and the rugged parts of the resort, it all counts. There’s also additional protective material along the inside portion of the sidewall to protect the core and add some stiffness to the mix. The topsheet adds some durability as well; by extending slightly into the ski, the anti-chip micro-cap does a great job at reducing chipping and adding agility to the mix. While the ski doesn’t contain a whole lot of additional materials, rather than just altering the thickness of the existing ones, the 184 hits the scale at 2100 grams per ski, so this is no feather. The sheer width and mass make that gram total creep up. Chris Lee provides some great feedback here: “I was worried, with a 106 underfoot that the upper icy section of Nosedive would just send me sliding sideways. But it stayed incredibly stable. It gripped well and I was able to pivot into some quick and precise turns even in those familiar icy conditions we get on some mornings up there. Yeah, if I had to choose a one-ski quiver in that 100–110 underfoot range, this would absolutely be it. It’s versatile enough to float through the Tres Amigos trees yet still charge hard down Hayride when you want to open it up. And when it’s time to dial it back, it’s just as comfortable cruising playfully down Jake’s Way with the kids. It really hits that sweet spot between performance and fun across the whole mountain.”

There aren’t many 106’s that can blur the line between all-mountain and freeride. Prodigy 3 may be one of the better ones. While this skis like a 106 in powder, it feels a lot more precise than the width lets on. From a shape perspective, the ski falls on the wide side for versatility but fits right in well with wider skis that are well-suited for soft snow and creative skiing. The 184 generates a 20-meter turn radius that creates a 133 mm tip and 125 mm tail. These measurements will keep the ski afloat, and when given the twin tip shape and slightly dramatic taper, the skis hold up to very deep and soft snow. With freestyle influence in the ski, the trick world is certainly open and available for advanced and expert skiers who like to see the mountain as having the most natural and playful features out there. By combining a longer turn radius, a twin tip shape, and a powder-oriented rocker profile, the footprint and outline of this ski certainly fall on the fun-loving side of the spectrum. Chris continues to note that “Yeah, you know what looking back on the whole week, this was my favorite ski. Sitting right around 106 underfoot, it’s exactly what I want in an everyday driver: something that can lay down a clean edge on a firm, early morning perry groomer, then seamlessly pivot to floating through the trees of hayride when conditions call for it.”

Surprisingly powerful and in favor of aggressive skiing, advanced and expert skiers will get the most out of the Prodigy 3, but that doesn’t mean that progressing intermediates won’t be able to access a proper amount of powder performance. Those that are more skilled and experienced will be able to unlock more attributes about this ski, taking their skiing to the next level in terms of pure freeride fun. With a fresh new graphic for 2027, the Prodigy 3 will continue to impress when it comes to mixing attributes and providing a creative platform for soft snow skiing.