In the world of skiing, the Faction Prodigy 1 Skis and the Armada ARV 88 Skis are two top contenders for the 2024 season. Both skis are designed with park performance in mind, boasting features that make them ideal for freestyle skiing. The Faction Prodigy 1 Skis shine on groomers and in the park, with a medium flex and superior edge hold. The Armada ARV 88 Skis, on the other hand, are a true park ski, offering a lightweight design and plenty of pop for jumps. While both skis are excellent choices, the Faction Prodigy 1 Skis are more suited for those who want to get into park skiing or those who ski on hard pack groomers. The Armada ARV 88 Skis are ideal for park rats looking to advance their skills.

Faction Prodigy 1 Skis · 2024 summary

The Faction Prodigy 1 Skis are a park-performing ski that offers tons of camber underfoot with a little bit of rise in the tip and tail. This design makes the ski great for anyone staying mainly on the hard packed groomer trails. The Faction Prodigy 1s are super fun on the groomers and in the park, with a poplar and ash core that gives it a medium flex. Faction's claimed flex rating is a 6 out of 10, but some experts felt it was just a little bit stiffer than that.

The Faction Prodigy 1 has an 88mm waist with tons of camber underfoot, making these skis super quick edge to edge. Whether you're in the park making a quick turn or if you're taking these into some moguls, you're going to be really pleased with how quick these are edge to edge. Faction beefs up their edges on the Prodigy line, so you're going to have superior edge hold.

As far as freestyle goes, that's right where the Faction Prodigy 1s are at home with the true twin tip. These skis are loaded to the gills with camber and you'll be able to pop to the moon on them! You can ski them forward and you can ski them switch! They are slightly directional with the elliptical sidecut, but most experts didn't really experience any issues skiing switch on these.

Armada ARV 88 Skis · 2024 summary

The Armada ARV 88 Skis are a true park performance ski. They have a real light swing weight, so you don't even need big air to do a 360 or anything bigger than that because they are pretty lightweight. The playfulness is right in the middle. It's not the most playful ski, but it's certainly somewhat playful. Again, with all that camber underfoot and the poplar core, it does have tons of pop. So, if for some reason you're getting up to a jump lip and you don't think you have the speed, these will definitely help you pop to make the landing.

The Armada ARV 88 is a full twin tip ski. We got to ski it forward and switch, and it skis just about the same forward as it does backwards. The Armada ARV 88 does not have a lot of early rise, so these aren’t the best ski for any kind of tracked or untracked pow. This ski shines on hard corduroy groomers and specifically in the park.

New for this season in the ARV lineup is the Wedgewall/W3dgewall feature that boasts greater durability as they have 3D printed their sidewall to be attached to the wooden core, prior to the pressing of the ski. This is appealing for freeskiers who may destroy their skis via constant grinding on rails.

Similarities

Both the Faction Prodigy 1 Skis and the Armada ARV 88 Skis are designed with park performance in mind. They both have a waist width of 88mm, making them quick edge to edge. Both skis have a poplar core and camber underfoot, providing plenty of pop for jumps. They also both have a twin tip design, allowing for skiing forward and switch. Both skis are recommended for skiers who spend a lot of time on groomed runs and in the park.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both skis are designed for park performance, they cater to slightly different personas. The Faction Prodigy 1 Skis are ideal for those wanting to get into park skiing or those who ski on hard pack groomers. They have a medium flex and superior edge hold, making them a great choice for beginners to advanced skiers.

On the other hand, the Armada ARV 88 Skis are perfect for park rats looking to advance their skills. They are lightweight and have a light swing weight, making them great for performing tricks and jumps. They also have a new Wedgewall/W3dgewall feature for added durability, making them a good choice for freeskiers who frequently grind on rails.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to park performance, both skis excel, but the Armada ARV 88 Skis take the lead with their lightweight design and light swing weight, making them ideal for performing tricks and jumps.

In terms of durability, the Armada ARV 88 Skis also come out on top with their new Wedgewall/W3dgewall feature, which adds durability for those who frequently grind on rails.

For edge hold, the Faction Prodigy 1 Skis are the winner. They have superior edge hold, making them a great choice for skiing on hard pack groomers.

Finally, for versatility, the Faction Prodigy 1 Skis take the lead. They are a great choice for those wanting to get into park skiing or those who ski on hard pack groomers, making them a versatile choice for a range of skiers.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Faction Prodigy 1 Skis and the Armada ARV 88 Skis are excellent choices for park performance. The Faction Prodigy 1 Skis are a versatile choice, ideal for those wanting to get into park skiing or those who ski on hard pack groomers. The Armada ARV 88 Skis, on the other hand, are perfect for park rats looking to advance their skills. They are lightweight and have a light swing weight, making them great for performing tricks and jumps. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on your specific needs and skiing style.