Faction Prodigy 3X - Women's Review

It's not shocking that with 106 millimeters of width, the Faction Prodigy 3X is particularly adept in powder. But it was surprising that it held its own as a versatile, all-mountain ski. The Prodigy 3X tends to ski shorter than its length suggests, so we might recommend buying a size up from your usual.

Performance Comparison

Stability at Speed

Our testers have rarely skied something this wide that felt so stable at higher speeds. Usually it's a trade-off between width underfoot (and therefore flotation) and torsional stiffness underfoot, but the Prodigy 3X breaks the mold.

Despite the rockered tip, we could still take this 106-millimeter-waisted ski up to medium-high speeds before it even started to chatter. Eventually, it does falter, but we really had to put our foot on the gas to get to that point. We were also surprised by how stable the Prodigy 3X feels in steep terrain, where the name of the game is edge grip and speed control.

Carving Ability

Faction advertises their “Elliptical Sidecut” in this ski, which is, essentially, a more pronounced sidecut through the tip and tails with more of a straight-cut underfoot. This design incorporates multiple sidecuts into a single shape: the ski is easier to pivot underfoot where the turn radius is longer, while the shorter radius at the tip and tail allows for quicker turn initiation.

Though it's tough to verify, we can say that the Prodigy 3X is better suited for skidded turns than carved ones. When we did carve it, it felt like it took longer to come around than the 17-meter radius suggests – which aligns with the claimed larger radius sidecut underfoot. Of course, it takes a moment for the 106-millimeter waist to slog from one edge to the next, but because the Prodigy offers some fun rebound, this transition feels faster than it would otherwise on other, directly comparable skis.

Powder Performance

Fresh snow conditions are where the Prodigy 3X shines, and easily holds its own against the best powder skis we've tested in this category. The significant rocker in the tip helps keep the Prodigy afloat in all but the deepest snow – 30 inches of heavy Sierra cement is where we found their threshold. Even if the tips dip underneath heavier powder, the 106 mm waist still feels like a life raft designed to buoy you back to the surface.

We admit that the depth threshold we discovered may be because we chose a shorter ski than was ideal. Given the range of lengths available from Faction for this ski – they max out at 178 centimeters – we perhaps should have guessed that the Prodigy 3X might ski a little short. Still, we ordered our regular sizing (172 centimeters) to compare apples to apples. Since the Prodigy skis much more like a powder ski than a traditional all-mountain ski, it's well worth considering bumping up a size, particularly if you're aiming to ski powder. This is especially true if you choose to mount at their recommended “Progressive” mount point, which will allow the ski to pivot better but will, again, further decrease the length of the ski in front of you.

Crud Performance

The Prodigy 3X is moderately stiff, which helps it strike a good balance in choppy conditions. While it manages to blast through all but the heartiest chunks, the broad waist and ample shovel at the tip create a large surface area that easily deflects off stiffer snow. We found ourselves getting thrown around at times, especially in cut-up, re-frozen chop.

Terrain Playfulness

Considering the specs, our testers never would have anticipated that the Prodigy 3X could be such a nimble, playful ski. We were happily surprised with the rebound of this ski, as well as its ability to cut a quick turn and easily maneuver in small spaces, especially considering its build. If skiing powder brings you joy, these skis are about as fun as it gets in those conditions.

Bumps

The Prodigy 3X, however, is a bit too lumbering to perform very well in moguls. Our testers kept getting bucked into the backseat and found it difficult to maintain a good position over the front of the ski. The Prodigy pivots well and feels quicker than it should for its bulk, but it's still not quick enough in a mogul field.

Should you buy the Faction Prodigy 3X?

If you're looking for a solid all-rounder with a penchant for powder, the Prodigy 3X is a high-quality option. It performs nearly as well overall as some of our award winners, it simply doesn't have any qualities that set it apart from the pack. As a bonus, Faction is making a concerted effort to go green – they're using locally sourced, recycled, or otherwise sustainable materials, and renewable energy in their factory. If you'd rather leave more ski tracks and less of a carbon footprint, this company is one to consider buying from.

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