Editor's Note, 27 September 2026: New review from our Whistler Blackcomb test week.
A stable, stomp-anything freeride ski that needs speed to come alive and feels planky when you slow down. It averages 68 out of 100 across our six ratings in our best all-mountain skis guide.
Best Directional Freeride Ski
Faction Dancer 2
- Status: Carryover for 2026/2027
- Weight: About 1,950 g per ski (182 cm)
- Construction: Poplar core with two Titanal sheets
- Best for: Fast, confident freeriders
- Sizes on Amazon: Listings are size-specific, check the length
Bottom Line : A stable, stomp-anything freeride ski that needs speed to come alive and feels planky when you slow down.
Pros
- Stomps landings
- Stable at speed
- Confident in crud
Cons
- Planky at low speed
- Poor in bumps
Test Week
Libby and Tom took these onto the Horstman Glacier and hit side-hits all the way down. The heavy metal construction stomped landings with total security.
Weak Spots
It feels planky at slow speeds. Amy tried them on a flat cat-track and felt like she was dragging two planks. You have to ski them fast to make them bend.
Who It Suits
Best for: fast, confident freeriders.
Compare With
- Blizzard Rustler 9: freeriders who smear, surf and pop.
- Armada Declivity 92 Ti: carvers on firm snow.
- DPS Kaizen 100: playful skiers in soft snow and trees.
See all ten in our best all-mountain skis of 2026/2027 guide.
Our Testers
This review was edited by Sean Williams and tested at Whistler Blackcomb by our lead tester and ski crew.
- Sean Williams, Editor-in-Chief. Sean built the team of researchers and testers behind our reviews and edits every guide. His rule: we say what we actually found.
- Ryan Williams, Lead Tester. An aggressive, heavy charger who hunts for steep, punishing terrain. Ryan has led our field tests from Whistler Blackcomb to the shore of Lake Louise.
- James Warburton, Tester. On skis since he was 3 and an ex-racer, James drives gear hard and has no patience for anything that lets go. He also tested our fat bikes at Lake Tahoe.
- Libby Louise, Tester. An expert freerider with several seasons behind her, Libby would rather surf, smear and pop off features than straight-line. She also tested our fat bikes at Lake Tahoe.
- Tom, Tester. A strong advanced skier who loves bowls and glades.
- Amy, Tester. A progressing intermediate who wants gear that builds confidence without exhausting her legs.
- The wider crew. Intermediate resort skiers who give us the everyday-skier view.
