Faction Dictator 4.0 ski review

Faction Dictator 4.0 2018 - 2017 Review by A Better Ski

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Faction Dictator 4.0 2017-18 Review by A Better Ski

The Dictator 4.0 is the fattest ski in Faction’s Dictator line, it looses the versatility that we really liked about the 2.0 and 3.0 and became more of a one dimensional charging powder ski.  Stiff, confident ski for those of you that ski big lines off helicopter drops.

Faction Dictator 4.0 Ski Review and Video

Disclaimer:  In this video, add 1 to every time I say Dictator __.  If I say 3.0…I’m talking about 4.0…1.0=2.0, 2.0=3.0…dumbass

Disclaimer:  In this video, add 1 to every time I say Dictator __.  If I say 3.0…I’m talking about 4.0…1.0=2.0, 2.0=3.0…dumbass

Size:  186cm

Shape: 139-115-127

Radius: 22m@180cm

Days: 1

Riders: Chris

Conditions: Hard Pack, Trees, Bumps, Crud

Boots: Salomon X-Max 120

Ski Personality: Big mountain charger, going to love steep and deep.

On the Snow Feel: Metal underfoot and torsionally stiff the Dictator 4.0 doesn’t have the quickness that we saw in the Dictator 2.0 and lacks the versatility of the 3.0 although, each of these skis is very much cut from the same cloth.

Turn Initiation and Carving: This is a powerful ski, that takes some effort to get on edge, but once its there, does pretty well.  The ski doesn’t lack energy, but requires a lot of strength to get the energy out of it, the Dictator 4.0 doesn’t like to be skied gently. 

Speed: Large turning radius, big, strong ski, it likes to go fast and only fast.

Powder:  The Faction Dictator 4.0 will shine here, but you still want to be a fall line skier, stiff tails will make the ski seem catchy in deep snow if you get back seat at all.  This is a “pro” model without someones name attached to it.  Don’t expect poppy short swing turns from this ski, but more chargy big mountain lines, find some slopes without trees and chest deep pow and you’ll be stoked.

Uneven/Variable Terrain:  Another area to shine, crud crusher, the Faction Dictator 4.0 has no issue straight lining through crap snow, the wide, powerful ski will keep you on track.

Trees/Bumps/Tight turns:  If you like to test you concentration, skill, and stamina, take the Dictator 4.0 into bumps.  Can it be done? Sure! Will it kick you in the pants if you get off track or back seat…yup.

Edge Hold:  Just lay it over, it’ll catch, this is a nerve-racking way to ski and pretty one dimensional.

Flex:  VERY stiff underfoot, and at the tails, stiff at the tips.

Intended User:  The Faction Dictator 4.0 is designed for a very small group of elite skiers that get wide open untracked slopes to themselves.  Mounted with a touring binding, this could be a good choice for a free ride tourer that isn’t looking for an extremely light rig for the hike up, but wants to rip on the way down.

Overall:  Faction wont sell very many of these, I can’t see many shops stocking these on the shelves, and you probably wont see many in lift lines.  That doesn’t mean that he Dictator 4.0 wont have a place in someones lineup, freeride tourers will love this skis confidence when it really counts.

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