Which touring ski should I get? | Faction Skis

Hey, I'm Josh. At Faction, we have two families of skis built for backcountry touring, the Agent Series and the La Machine Series. Each has won numerous media awards for their versatility and overall performance. However, they're quite different from one another, so let's discuss how. The Agent Series are a hybrid free-touring line. They are lightweight and versatile, with emphasis on a solid downhill experience. So if you're a backcountry skier looking to confidently blast across any terrain in any snow conditions, these are the solution. We call these hybrid skis because they're so strong on the downhill that many skiers choose to mount them with traditional alpine bindings for free riding at the resort, or hybrid bindings for the best of both worlds, inbounds and out. In comparison, La Machine Series is built for skiers looking for a surfy, ultra-lightweight free-touring ski. Long outings and multi-day trips in the backcountry are so much easier and more efficient when your skis are featherweight. That's of course true of shorter tours as well. These carbon-loaded skis are the lightest that we make and still hold their own on the descent. They're waiting to carry you to the hidden gems on faraway faces. Each collection features a wide range of waist widths, spanning from the narrower Agent 1 to the beefy Agent 4, and the narrow La Machine 1 to the mammoth pow surfer La Machine 5. Carbon fiber is the answer. The central difference is that with the Agent, we have dozens of carbon stringers running from tip to tail, and across the La Machine Series, we include two full-length layers of carbon. In both cases, the carbon keeps weight to a minimum while still allowing for strong edge hold and stability. With La Machine, we simply have more carbon for an even lighter experience. The Agent Series features a flex pattern with softer tips and tails for flotation and playfulness, and more stiffness underfoot for carving and managing variable terrain. They have an elliptical side cut where the tips and tails of the skis have a shorter turn radius than underfoot, creating the perfect blend of easy turn initiation and stability at higher speeds. Surfing is La Machine's forte. The subtle camber and extended tip and tail rocker of this series lends itself to effortless planing in powder, as well as pivoting in choppy snow. In short, the Agent Series is a little heavier, making the skis more stable in all conditions. La Machine Series is lighter and easier to pivot, making these models an absolute dream on those bucket list days. If you aren't sure which series to choose from, or maybe it's your first touring ski, we recommend the Agent. These are perennial award-winning skis with traditional camber and rocker, so they're more predictable in a variety of conditions. If you want something ultra light with the ability to be a little more dynamic when finishing the turn, like slashing or washing it out, La Machine will be your best friend. If your main concern is lightweight and uphill efficiency, the Ones and Twos in each series will be the ones for you. These models are awesome when you know that the route down will be predictable, and you're not expecting tons of new snow. If you're heading out to find powder or ski bigger terrain, or you don't know exactly what the conditions are going to be, then it's best to choose the wider models, like the Threes and the Fours. The wider the ski, the better the float. If you've got any questions, head to our website and strike up a live chat with our in-house experts. Whichever model you choose, we wish you fulfilling days of exploration, untracked snow, and zero crowds. And please, always be smart, build your knowledge of snow science and avalanche safety, and ride with trusted partners in the backcountry. See you out there. Peace.