THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - FACTION AGENT 3.0

FACTION AGENT 3.0
Category: Freeride
Lengths: 164, 172, 180, 188
Dimensions: 134/106/124
Radius: 21m @ 180
MSRP: $899
More info: factionskis.com

“If the Faction Agent 3.0 was a planet, it would sit perfectly within the Goldilocks zone; everything about this ski felt just right. From the moment I laid eyes on it, all the way to the end of testing it, it did not disappoint. Being on the lighter side of the spectrum, with a notch in the tail for your skins, it was designed with touring in mind, but to call it just a touring ski would be selling it short. From the first turn to the last, it not only did everything I asked, but did so with grace and ease. With an even, moderately stiff flex, combined with 106 millimetres underfoot and a 21-metre turn radius, the Agent felt comfortable in anything I threw at it. Surprisingly quick edge-to-edge on groomers, snappy and responsive in tight trees, confidence-building stability when landing cliffs, and strong enough to muscle through chop at speed—it felt at home doing it all. I even found myself laughing while playfully buttering in circles and popping off cat-track side hits on the way back to the lift. For anyone looking for a ski that wants to have fun, yet is able to put on a game face when needed, I highly recommend this impressively versatile ski.” –Darryl Hunt

Reviewer’s Rating: On Piste: 8/10 • Off Piste: 9/10
Average Rating: On Piste: 8/10 • Off Piste: 9/10

REVIEWER BIO:

Darryl Hunt
Age: 36 / Height: 6’1” / Weight: 220 lbs / Occupation: Silviculture Worker
Once an avid and competitive park skier from Ontario, Darryl Hunt made the westward pilgrimage to bounce around various ski towns in B.C. at the age of 18, where he kept his jib skis but embraced wider boards to begin exploring beyond the ropes and dabbling in big mountain competitions. Now a silviculture worker in the summer and full-time ski bum in the winter, Hunt constantly works on evolving his skiing, and rekindled his love of hot-lapping chairlifts last winter after spending a handful of years skiing exclusively in the backcountry. He’s ridden a diverse range of planks in all sorts of shapes and profiles over the years, but for his daily driver has more recently gravitated towards a stiffer ski that’s flat underfoot with early rise in the tip and tail. Whereas for touring, he prefers a softer and lighter offering, but with a similar camber profile.