THE PEOPLE'S SKI TEST - FACTION DICTATOR 2.0
FACTION DICTATOR 2.0
Category: All Mountain
Lengths: 163, 171, 179, 187
Dimensions: 127/96/117
Radius: 19m @ 179
MSRP: $849
More info: factionskis.com
“Faction’s Dictator 2.0 is a no-nonsense ski, plain and simple. There’s no gimmicky shape, no easy-turn technology, and no made-up exotic material names. Two sheets of metal, early-rise tip, full camber to the tail and a longer turn radius give this ski a more traditional feeling. Ex-racers will appreciate the longer effective edge and modest radius, which allows it to rail like a GS ski on hardpack. Off the groomers, it felt like a double-metal-laminate ski should—solid, strong and fast. There’s really not much you can throw at this ski that it won’t handle. It performed strongly through off-piste ice and crud, and is a true all-mountain shredder. That being said, it’s also an unforgiving ski. It’s stiff with a small sweet spot, and will take off on you defiantly if you’re not paying attention. As a result, lighter weight and less aggressive skiers may find it’s a bit of a difficult plank to reign in.” –Dylan Strelioff
Reviewer’s Rating: On Piste: 7.5/10 • Off Piste: 7.5/10
Average Rating: On Piste: 8/10 • Off Piste: 8/10
REVIEWER BIO:
Dylan Strelioff
Age: 40 / Height: 5’9” / Weight: 165 lbs / Occupation: Rope Access Welder
A rope access welder and longtime purveyor of revelry in Rossland, Dylan Strelioff has been hard charging Red Mountain Resort for over 30 years and has a technical background to boot as a former Level 3 ski instructor and freeski coach at the resort. His favourite type of terrain is steeps and trees (the steeper the better), and while he’s not a huge fan of the park, he loves natural airs (the bigger the better), railing groomers (the faster the better) and chasing soft snow as often as possible in the backcountry. Strelioff’s preferred weapon of choice is a more traditional and directional ski in the neighbourhood of 90 to 100 millimetres underfoot with a less pronounced shape, slight-to-moderate early rise in the tip and tail, regular camber and stiff tails.