Freeride ski review(s)
Faction Candide 4.0

Advanced freeride skier
Craig's rating of this ski:

Considering his skiers profile:

High speed long radius turns

The French inspired Faction Candide 4.0 returns for 2017-18 with new white and gold graphics. The laminate consists of balsa-flax wood, fiberglass, and carbon under the binding area. This Faction has a unusual multi point sidecut, with a long turn radius under the binding area, and shorter turn radius at the tip, to help turn the ski once on edge. I would rate the flex as medium, with a stiffer tip.

Groomers

The long radius turn section under the foot area dominates the feel of this ski, and provides good stability at speed. Short and medium radius turns were not as intuitive. The sweet spot is on the small side, and I find the Faction Candide 4.0i fairly demanding for a lighter weight pow ski, which is why I rate this for advanced-expert skiers. Careful edge engagement during short or medium radius turns is necessary to prevent chatter on groomers, based on this tune.

Bumps

The Candide 4.0 is challenging in bumps, with its smaller sweet spot, and stiffer tip, it felt out of its comfort zone.

Powder

With medium flex, and a stiffer tip, the float is average for this width underfoot. The Faction Candide 4.0's stability at speed, and long turn radius-sidecut in the middle of the ski, will cater to the straight line, higher speed skier that is willing to let this ski run in steeper pow conditions.

Faction about the Candide 4.0

"Much like the legend himself, the Candide 4.0 never rests. Updated for the 2016/17 season with a new versatile 118mm waist, an updated camberline and progressive multi-radius sidecut to make those switch backcountry booter landings even smoother, plus new lengths to fit your style. Lightweight balsa/flax core, slight camber underfoot and rockered tip and tail make the Candide 4.0 your ultimate pow and backcountry freestyle machine", says Faction

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