The Dancer 89 Ti is a brand-new addition to Faction's frontside titanal lineup, slotting in between the carving-focused 79 Ti and the all-mountain 99 Ti. It's a smooth, composed performer that lives to lay down clean carved turns on firm snow but has just enough width to keep things interesting when conditions soften up or you wander off the side of the trail. The ride feels rhythmic and energetic, with the kind of edge grip that makes icy mornings genuinely fun rather than something to endure.

Why we like it:

The dual-titanal sandwich is the magic here. Faction kept the metal sheets thin so the ski stays lively and energetic out of turns rather than feeling sluggish or dead like some heavier metal skis. There's a springy quality to it that makes lap after lap genuinely fun, especially when you start linking carves at speed. We also dig that this fills an obvious gap in the Dancer Ti lineup; an 89 underfoot is the sweet spot for a lot of resort skiers, and Faction nailed the proportions.

Who it's for:

Advanced and expert skiers who live on the frontside but want a single ski that can handle the whole resort on most days. If you love clean carved turns, value edge grip on icy mornings, and don't mind a ski that asks you to drive it, this is a strong pick. Intermediates working on technique can grow into it, but it does reward an active, forward stance.

Highlights:

The poplar core keeps the weight reasonable and gives the ski a friendly, energetic flex without any of the sluggishness that can creep into heavier metal skis. Sandwich it between two thin titanal sheets and you get a chassis that absolutely refuses to chatter, even when the groomers get scraped off and turn into boilerplate. Faction's XL 2.5mm edges are a real durability upgrade, especially for skiers who put serious mileage on their gear or aren't shy about skiing rocky early-season conditions. The Dual Span Titanal layout means the metal runs the length of the ski for consistent torsional response, while the embossed Faction icon, Dancer metal plate underfoot, and brushed topsheet all add up to a premium look and feel that matches the performance. On snow, this thing carves with authority. The 89mm waist is wide enough to handle softer snow without feeling like a struggle, but narrow enough that edge-to-edge transitions stay quick and intuitive. Tip rocker is modest, the tail is essentially flat with a tiny lift, and that combo gives you a long effective edge that locks in mid-turn. The mid-range turn radius is versatile; you can shorten things up with edge angle or open things up by riding flatter and letting the parabolic shape do the work.

Things to consider:

Like the rest of the Dancer Ti family, this ski wants to be skied. If you ride passively or sit in the back seat, it'll feel like more ski than you bargained for. The 89mm waist is also a frontside-biased width, so don't expect powder-day heroics; the Dancer 99 Ti is right next door if you want more float. Flex sits at an 8, appropriate for the intended audience but not a beginner-friendly number.

Fit & sizing considerations:

Sizes true to length. Most skiers will pick their usual size; if you're between sizes and prioritize carving precision over off-trail stability, size down.