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Faction Dictator 2.0 All-Mountain Ski 2021 – 2022 | Review

We check out the Faction Dictator 2.0 – an ideal all-mountain ski for aggressive skiers

Why we chose the Faction Dictator 2.0: Metal, energetic, damp 

Lengths (cm): 155, 163, 171, 175, 179, 183 & 187
Sidecut (mm): 127 / 96 / 117 (179 cm)
Radius: 19m (179 cm)
Rocker Profile: Rocker-Camber-Rocker
Weight (per ski): 1,850g
Price: £550 / €629 / $679

Buy here

Every ski brand needs a metal ski in their line up. The powerful and damp qualities metal provides has long been worshipped by ski builders around the world. Long have people tried to replicate these qualities with other materials, but nothing quite comes close to the power of metal.

In the case of Faction skis, this metal build comes in the form of the badass Dictator series. Featuring two beefy sheets of titanal underfoot, these skis offer a refreshing range for a ski company that’s renowned for churning out some of the finest freestyle skis on the planet.

We first got our hands on a pair of Dictators with the Dictator 3.0, and now we’re taking a look at the Dictator 2.0 – a zippy all-mountain ski that carries a narrow waist width to apply that power directly to the edge.

Faction Dictator 2.0 Build

As we’ve quite obviously pointed out in the introduction, the Faction Dictator 2.0 features two titanal sheets in its construction. These metal sheets sandwich the woodcore (more on that later), providing power and stability for high-speed trench laying. This metal layer remains stiff both torsionally and longitudinally, giving you stability and strong edge hold on groomed and cut up terrain.

Faction has then gone for a Paulownia and Poplar core to counteract the heavy and powerful double metal laminates that sandwich it. This slightly lighter core construction means that the skis remain lightweight and not overly demanding when skied at slower speeds, yet they still retain a good deal of pop and dampening for when the taps are opened.

Faction Dictator 2.0 Shaping

Faction have, quite unsurprisingly, gone for a directional and (relatively) traditional shape to create a ski that’s capable of harnessing – and releasing – all that metal power. A 95 mm waist width opens up quick edge changes and gives the skis their versatility, while a hint of tip and tail tapering keeps these skis manageable in soft snow.

The rocker profile has also been pressed in to match this tip and tail taper to create what Faction call their Surf Zone tech. This harmony of rocker and tapering means that the rocker matches just where the tapering begins to provide a profile that’s able to provide flotation and remain loose, while removing any unwanted hookiness.

Bringing the ski back to their freeride soul, a traditional flat tail remains there to support you through high speeds while offering as much edge contact on the snow as possible. The tails feature 200 mm of rocker to keep the skis slashable when required. Faction has then cut a ski touring skin tail clip into the tails of the skis for when you decide to take the Dictators for a blast in the backcountry.

Who Is The Faction Dictator 2.0 For?

The Dictator series from Faction remains one of the most exciting metal skis out there. We were left impressed with the way that Faction has managed to blend the power of metal into a build that’s still able to keep it loose and pivotable for quick slashes. This 95 mm width would work as a great single ski quiver for those who like to ski fast and aggressively across the entire mountain.

What Is The Faction Dictator 2.0 Good At?

Dampening: 9/10
Power: 8/10
Versatility: 8/10

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