2025 Faction Prodigy 2 - SkiEssentials.com Ski Test Review

[@SterlingSigurdsen]

Faction skis are literally my favorite ski. Put my wife and daughter on them too. And thanks to your store near Killington can buy them in store if need be and mount them at Pinnacle.

[@TARiiiQmusic]

How do you guys find these compared to the arv 96 Which one would be a more stable damp ride? In variable snow conditions

[@SkiEssentials]

The Prodigy 2 is a very surprising performer in variable snow conditions. The ARV 96, the older one I assume, is a bit heavier and not as snappy.

[@TARiiiQmusic]

@SkiEssentials thanks guys I just found that the deflection on any choppy or cruddy snow was so bad that it makes me not have confidence, compare to on my metal ski.. I just wanted a second ski for park and laps where I can still handle everything and thought this would be a better second ski

[@teddyboi97]

Debating between this and a Fischer nightstick 97. Mostly ski all mountain. Love trees and bumps, but dabble in the park a bit too. Things to think about between the 2?

[@SkiEssentials]

I was considerably more impressed with the Nightstick than I thought I was going to be. Conversely, I didn't quite have the experience I was expecting on the Prodigy. Not saying this will happen to everyone, but I thought the Fischer skied great both on and off-trail and had a very balanced feel for park performance. The Prodigy felt smooth and capable, just not as peppy or energetic as the Fischer.

[@jacobh7319]

Debating b/n this and the 2025 Armada ARV 94, I ride on ice coast, I like riding mountain but I’m leaning into park and tree skiing. Anything I should know for the 2?

[@SkiEssentials]

The ARV has a bit more pep and energy while the Prodigy is a bit smoother and quieter. If you want a bit more grip and on-trail performance, I think the ARV is the way to go.

[@jacobh7319]

@@SkiEssentials I did end up getting the ARV after watching a bunch of your guy's reviews, (Similar reasons as to what you said here) can't wait for this season!!

[@-SDGEU]

Hi, Im looking for a ski that is still good with a bit of carving on piste but also can be enjoyed in the park or on sidebumps. What would you recommend? Most of the time I will be skiing in Austria.

[@SkiEssentials]

I think you're right on with the mid to upper 90's twins like this Prodigy 2. I'd add the Nordica Unleashed 98 as an exemplary ski in this category. Black Crows Camox and Rossignol Super Blackops 98 also fit this bill quite nicely.

[@antoinecollignon5010]

Hello, I'm an advanced French alps 70/30 on/off-trail skier who loves jumps and wants to get more into rotations. I’m looking for playful & forgiving all-mountain skis, but I’m clearly not a park skier. Rustle 9s seem perfect but hate the design tbh, do you think Prodigy 2 would be a good option? I'm afraid they have too much of a freestyle profile and are a bit average for good carving sessions. What do you think? Would you see other alternatives? Thanks and love your work!

[@SkiEssentials]

you seem to not like either choice here. I'd check out the Black Crows Camox, Nordica Unleashed 98, Line Optic 96, and the Rossignol Super Blackops 98 as alternatives. All will do what you're aiming for.

[@antoinecollignon5010]

I’m really interested in the Prodigy 2 but just don’t know how well they behave on piste. What’s your POV ? Thanks for the recommendations, I’ll check them out!

[@SkiEssentials]

@@antoinecollignon5010 I don't find them particularly exciting in an on-trail format, but that's not what they're designed for. you can get away with a carve or two here and there on softer groomers, and they do just fine in short swing turns, but they're just not as enthusiastic about carving as the other options.

[@antoinecollignon5010]

@@SkiEssentials very helpful, thank you!

[@95litman]

Im riding the candide 2.0 for the third time. Started with the wild colorfull one back in 2016? Then the Gold-black edition and now the blue one since 2020…shredding till death now… so my problem is i do not find a similar ski with same radius and conditions… Do you think the prodigy2 is quite near to those ct2? Im swiss, expert or advanced, 180 hight and looking for playfull, carving and also deepsnow mixed ski.. want to stay on faction! But looking now for the noridca enforce and co. Idk! Help.

[@SkiEssentials]

Faction went from the Candide to the Mana to the Studio. The Studio 2 I believe has very similar stats to the Candide 2.0. Not exactly as symmetrical but pretty close.

[@marinalexx14]

Hello! Would you choose these over Armada ARV 94 in terms of all-mountain capabilities and playfulness ? I’m trying to decide between these, ARV and Atomic Bent 90. I’m an advanced skier on piste and groomers but I’m looking to transition into all-mountain/freestyle so I want something very playful and forgiving for jumps/side hits and trees (30-40% of the time) but also stable and that can carve decently on groomers / piste 60-70% of the time. Any advice? Skiing into SE Europe so not much powder and crazy stuff. Thanks a lot

[@SCmatium]

I had a 2022 ARV 96 before, now I bought the Prodigy 2. I think you would have a great time with either of them, I just couldnt decide between the ARV94 and ARV100 and chose the Prodigy 2 instead - bit different but pretty similar skiing style

[@RyanGeiger-m9l]

@@SCmatium I am in the same category! Have the 22 ARV 96 and looking for a replacement.. Looking between Rustler 9, JSkis Allplay (can't find many reviews), ARV 88 or 94, and Faction Prodigy 2.0. Ski in MN mainly around the Twin Cities so nothing major.

[@SkiEssentials]

I'd personally choose a 2025 ARV 94 over all of those skis. Great energy, nice and smooth, and adept for park and freestyle.

[@marinalexx14]

@@SkiEssentials coming back to say a big thank you! I just bought a pair of ARV 94, can’t wait to run them and probably will come back for a more detailed feedback afterwards 🫶

[@shotikoveshapidze9126]

@@marinalexx14 waiting for your feedback ☺

[@CristianUrsu-d1i]

Good morning, I wanted to ask but what do you think about putting the Solomon 13 strive attack?

[@SkiEssentials]

Sorry, are you meaning the Salomon Strive or the Tyrolia Attack? Either will work fine here, the Strive is a bit narrower and longer while the Attack is shorter and wider, putting a bit more leverage over the edges.

[@CristianUrsu-d1i]

@@SkiEssentials I put the Solomon 13 Strive attack in place of the Solomon 14 Strive, does it change anything?

[@SkiEssentials]

@@CristianUrsu-d1i Nope, the Strive 14 is a great pairing for that ski!

[@connorb4048]

if i’m looking to ski about half groomed and half park on east coast would these be good?

[@SkiEssentials]

Yup! Great option and a wonderful ski.

[@Filip-bk9it]

would you say that is is a dealbreaker to buy the older 2024 arv 94 or the 2024 faction prodigy 2 over the 2025 ones? i dont want to spend a lot of money on skis but i still want some fun and playful skis to use a couple of times a year.

[@SkiEssentials]

No I don't think it's a deal breaker especially if budget is a part of your concern. The ARV moved from caruba to poplar while the Faction added a carbon/rubber stomp pad. Both are nice updates, but if you don't have the money budgeted, then the older ones are just fine.

[@Yanis-on7ec]

Hello, do you think the Prodigy 2 is a better choice for piste, freestyle, and off-piste than the Bent Chetler 90 or 100? I need your help, even though I’m leaning towards the Prodigy.

[@SkiEssentials]

I think the Prodigy has a bit more chops than the Bent 90 or 100 when it comes to on-piste. The Bent's are a bit lighter and more flexible.

[@brmakl1]

5’7”-170lbs intermediate skier who truly skis the whole mountain. Ski powder when it’s there. Struggling to figure out if I should go Prod 2 or 3 and stuck on lengths as well. If anyone has $.02 on this matter, feel free to respond 🤙🏼

[@64x83]

I’d go prod 2 every day, it’ll be wayy more fun on piste and have enough float on pow when mounted a bit further back (as the ski is intended to be). 171cm sounds like the right length for yourself, I’m 5’9 and ride 171’s at the moment. they’re not noodles so much that you need longer skis for more support imo, hope that helps

[@brmakl1]

@ appreciate the reply! Ended up going with prod 3 178cm and they feel pretty darn good imo. I’m sure I would’ve felt okay on the prod 2 171cm but ended up smashing a good deal 😜

[@brmakl1]

@ also, I like your Impreza!

[@64x83]

@@brmakl1 that’s dope, I’m glad u like em. I’m sure the lil extra rocker on the 3s is fun to play around with too. can’t really go wrong with either. also thanks I appreciate it

[@atahoegrom]

Is it just me or does the thumbnail look like a snowboard

[@SkiEssentials]

I'm seeing it, but assure you that it is a ski.