The Prodigy 1 is Faction's narrower park-and-trail freestyle ski, sitting just below the Prodigy 2 in the lineup. It's built for skiers who want a directional twin that can handle the park, lay down clean carves on the groomers, and ride switch with confidence. For 2027, the construction stays the same and the ski returns with a new design language called CHASM by Parade Studios.

Why we like it:

The poplar and ash core combo is what really sets this ski apart. The ash adds a layer of dampening and edge bite that you don't always get in a freestyle ski, which means the Prodigy 1 stays composed when you push it on firm snow. Combine that with the carbon and rubber stomp pad underfoot, and you have a ski that takes a beating but never feels harsh.

Who it's for:

Intermediate to advanced park-and-trail skiers who want a directional twin with a frontside lean. If you split your time between the terrain park and the groomers and want a ski that's equally happy in both worlds, this is the ticket.

Highlights:

Faction stacks a poplar and ash wood core in this ski, which is the key to its dual-personality feel. Poplar provides the lightness, pop, and energy you need for freestyle skiing, while ash adds stiffness, dampening, and durability where it counts. Underfoot, the carbon and rubber stomp pad bonds to the wood core, providing localized vibration absorption when you stomp landings and protecting the core from heavy compressions. XL 2.5mm edges add a meaningful durability boost over standard 2.0mm edges, especially for a ski that's going to see rails and rocks regularly. Shape-wise, the directional twin profile is the secret sauce; the tail is just slightly narrower than the tip, which gives the ski more drive and stability skiing forward without giving up the ability to ride switch. The waist is on the narrower side for an all-mountain freestyle ski, which translates into quicker edge-to-edge response on groomers and a more carving-focused feel overall. Rocker is balanced with modest tip rocker, generous camber, and just a touch of tail rocker.

Things to consider:

This isn't a soft snow ski. The narrower waist and modest rocker mean float is limited, so on deep days you'll want to look at the Prodigy 3 or 4. The directional shape also means it's not as switch-balanced as a true symmetrical twin like the Studio 1; if you spend most of your time skiing backwards, the Studio is more your speed.

Fit & sizing considerations:

Sizes true to length. Most skiers should pick their usual size; size down for a more nimble park-focused feel.