Here it is – our men’s Freestyle ski of the year along with our Editors’ Choice runners up, featured in our mega Gear Guide. Order your copy here for the full, in-depth reviews, as well as more Freestyle, Freeriding, All-Mountain and Freetouring setups, boots, poles, bindings, packs, airbags, goggles. It’s big…
FACTION MANA 2
£549
Lengths 166, 173, 178, 183, 188
Radius 19m @ 178
Dimensions 131-102-127
Weight per ski 1800g @ 178
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THEY SAY
The Mana 2 with its versatile 102 mm waist is the sleekest in the family, making it the ideal tool to transition from all-mountain, to backside, to park. This is a high-quality, high-performance craft that effortlessly responds to your movements and your commands.
WE SAY
It’s the post-Candide Thovex era at Faction so the CT line of skis had to go. The performance, attitude and construction remain firmly in place, to the point where the new Mana series haven’t just landed on their feet but only gone and won our Freestyle Ski of the Year category. Marketed as an all-mountain freestyle ski, the Mana 2 is the narrowest within its family, yet at 102mm underfoot is the widest ski of our picks. Width = stability in freestyle, but it can’t be at the expense of all the elements that make a park ski fun.
BEST FOR
We’d class the Faction Mana 2 as one of the top choices a seasonnaire could make to liven up their time in the mountains. Fun, goes anywhere, handles any snow conditions aside from blue ice… The durability isn’t going to put anyone off, either. Set bindings to ‘Progressive’, pick a playlist of tricks to stomp and make the mountain your playground.
ARMADA ARV 96
£475
Lengths 163, 170, 177, 184
Radius 19m @ 177
Dimensions 125-96-117 @ 177
Weight per ski 1,850g @ 177
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THEY SAY
The ARV 96 is skiing’s ultimate handyman – no matter what you throw at it, this ski will get it done. Featuring a Poplar-Ash Core and AR75 Sidewalls, the ARV 96 delivers its signature versatility and a new era of all-mountain freestyle performance with the most responsive feel yet.
WE SAY
Revised for this year with lighter tips and tails, the ARV 96 is a classic poppy twin tip suited to park and all-mountain riding. It’s at the stiffer end of the freestyle category but the flex is very progressive, so lighter skiers can use this to power up their antics
BEST FOR
Anyone looking to take their riding up a level. A good choice for the more park-oriented.
DYNASTAR M-FREE 90
£355
Lengths 137, 147, 157, 167, 177
Radius 16m @ 167
Dimensions 122-90-112
Weight per ski 1,400g @ 167
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THEY SAY
The new M-Free 90 is a weapon of one for progressive-minded all-mountain freeride skiers. Combining a full sidewall construction and progressive rocker profile, this all-new junior freeride weapon packs a perfect blend of power, pop, and agility.
WE SAY
This is a very sweet ski that comes in shorter lengths to get the kids ripping. It’s super versatile, lightweight and ideally suited to park skiing, hence turning up in our Freestyle category.
BEST FOR
No chunky types, if you please. The M-Free 90 is light, poppy, versatile and perfect for lighter or more youthful types looking for a super-versatile freestyle ski that delivers in all conditions. A bargain.
NORDICA UNLEASHED 98 – EDITORS CHOICE
£470
Lengths 168, 174, 180, 186
Radius 18.1m @ 180
Dimensions 133-98-122 @ 180
Weight per ski 1700g @ 180
nordica.com
THEY SAY
Roam wild and free with Nordica’s Unleashed 98. Built for the modern freeskier, it offers a playful ride without sacrificing performance. To boost your confidence, the Unleashed 98 pairs a wood core with carbon and a sheet of terrain-specific metal.
WE SAY
The new Unleashed 98 is a powerful, high-spec freeski that approaches the genre from a different angle.
BEST FOR
Freeskiers wanting a fast, fun ski with added punch and control. Ideal for beefy shredders!