Studio 3 26/27

The Faction Studio 3 is a freeride twin tip with a 112 mm waist. It takes its cues from freestyle and balances precision with float. The grey and black topsheet carries the XX artwork by Parade Studios, marking Faction's 20th anniversary. The base fades through orange, pink and purple.

The core is poplar between two layers of fibreglass, with 8 to 12 full-length carbon stringers above and below it. Faction says the combination gives high strength at a low weight. The stringers are woven into the fibreglass and make the ski stable and stiff without adding bulk, while the poplar brings flex and pop. Generous rocker and a hint of camber make the ski easy to pivot and smear without catching an edge. It still holds an edge and stays stable at speed. The carbon and rubber pad underfoot absorbs vibration and protects the core from heavy impacts. With Boat Flex, the tips and tails are stiffer, so the ski stays settled in variable snow and damps vibration when you land. A touch more flex underfoot lets the ski load up and pop.

• Poplar core between two layers of fibreglass
• Full-length carbon stringers above and below the wood core
• Generous rocker and a hint of camber for easy pivots and smears
• Carbon and rubber pad underfoot
• Boat Flex: stiff ends, a little softer underfoot
• Twin tip with a slightly narrower tail than tip and equal tip and tail height
• Elliptical sidecut and moderate taper for precise handling
• Sintered base
• Flex 7 on Faction's scale from 1 to 10
• For advanced and expert skiers
• 140-112-134 mm sidecut, 20 m radius and 1900 g per ski at 178 cm

The Studio 3 is at its best on days that mix freeride in soft snow with the rest of the mountain.