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Expert Comparison: Line Blade Optic 96 Skis · 2023 vs Faction Prodigy 2 Skis · 2023

Published on 02/10/2024 · 6 min readCompare Line Blade Optic 96 Skis · 2023 and Faction Prodigy 2 Skis · 2023. Get expert insight below!
Tomasz Macieik, Ski Expert
Theo G, Ski Expert
Sam Baevsky, Ski Expert
Contributed By Ski Expert Tomasz Macieik, Theo G, Sam Baevsky, Brandon Westburg, Phil Chandler and others

VS

 

Side by side comparison

Out of stock
Line Blade Optic 96 Skis · 2023
Out of stock
Faction Prodigy 2 Skis · 2023
Price
$408.93
52% off
$359.40
40% off
User rating
4.71(17)
4.78(40)
The Curated Take

Best for skiers seeking a playful, versatile, and stable ski.

Best for adventurous skiers exploring different terrains due to its versatility.

Ski type
All Mountain, Freeride
All Mountain
Skill level
Advanced, Expert
Intermediate, Advanced
Rocker profile
Rocker/Camber/Rocker
Rocker/Camber/Rocker

In the world of skiing, the Line Blade Optic 96 Skis and Faction Prodigy 2 Skis are two top contenders for the 2023 season. Both skis are designed to deliver an exhilarating experience on the slopes, but they each have their unique strengths and weaknesses. The Line Blade Optic 96 Skis are known for their playful and energetic performance, making them a perfect choice for skiers who love to explore different terrains at high speeds. On the other hand, the Faction Prodigy 2 Skis are praised for their versatility and stability, making them a great option for those who enjoy carving and freestyle skiing. While both skis are excellent choices, the Line Blade Optic 96 Skis might be the better option for those who prioritize playfulness and energy, while the Faction Prodigy 2 Skis might be more suitable for those who value versatility and stability.

The Line Blade Optic 96 Skis are a standout product in the 2023 lineup. These skis are designed to be intuitive and versatile, making them a great choice for skiers of all skill levels. The Blade Optic 96 is known for its playful and energetic performance, which is a result of its unique construction. The skis are light and soft, but they also come with metal in their construction, which translates to a very smooth and damp ride when riding fast through cruddy snow.

The Blade Optic 96 Skis are also very poppy, making them a great choice for skiers who love to seek out side hits, pop out of turns, and jump moguls. Despite their playful nature, these skis are also very stable, making them a great choice for skiers who love to ski at high speeds.

The Blade Optic 96 Skis have a 96mm waist, which is considered the perfect one-ski quiver almost anywhere in the country. However, they do not carve as well as other skis, and they have less float than their bigger 104 width brother.

The blade optics playfulness is what first stood out. It was very energetic and poppy. I found myself seeking out the side hits, popping out of turns, and jumping moguls. Usually when a ski is this playful it means it is fairly light and soft but the Blade Optic 96 does come with metal in its construction that translates to a very smooth and damp ride when riding fast through cruddy snow.

Tomasz Macieik
Ski Expert

The Faction Prodigy 2 Skis are another top contender in the 2023 lineup. These skis are designed to be versatile and stable, making them a great choice for skiers who love to carve and freestyle ski. The Faction Prodigy 2 Skis are light enough to hop around from turn to turn with a relatively short turn radius while still maintaining a confidence-inspiring "charge-like" attitude.

The Faction Prodigy 2 Skis are also known for their strong edge grip, which is a result of the gas pedal metal involved in the ski. This makes the skis very rigid and stiff underfoot, helping skiers bank the sharpest carves. Despite their stiffness, these skis are also very playful, making them a great choice for skiers who love to have fun on the slopes.

The Faction Prodigy 2 Skis have a 102mm waist, which is considered a versatile width for a park ski. However, they may not be the best choice for deeper snow days out west due to their lack of flotation.

Faction says that the Prodigy 2 is the most versatile ski in the Prodigy Series. You can smash around the mountain and ski with this thing, anything from all-mountain to park, and have a ton of fun.

Theo G
Ski Expert

Similarities

Both the Line Blade Optic 96 Skis and the Faction Prodigy 2 Skis are designed to be versatile and playful, making them great choices for skiers who love to explore different terrains. They both have a similar waist width, with the Line Blade Optic 96 Skis having a 96mm waist and the Faction Prodigy 2 Skis having a 102mm waist. This makes both skis versatile enough to handle a variety of conditions.

Both skis also feature unique construction that enhances their performance. The Line Blade Optic 96 Skis come with metal in their construction, which translates to a smooth and damp ride, while the Faction Prodigy 2 Skis feature a gas pedal metal that provides rigidity and stiffness underfoot.

Both skis are also praised for their stability, making them great choices for skiers who love to ski at high speeds. They are both designed to be intuitive and easy to ski, making them accessible to skiers of all skill levels.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both skis are versatile and playful, they each have their unique strengths that make them suitable for different types of skiers. The Line Blade Optic 96 Skis are known for their energetic and poppy performance, making them a great choice for skiers who love to seek out side hits, pop out of turns, and jump moguls. These skis are also very stable, making them a great choice for skiers who love to ski at high speeds. However, they do not carve as well as other skis, and they have less float than their bigger 104 width brother.

On the other hand, the Faction Prodigy 2 Skis are praised for their strong edge grip and stiffness underfoot, making them a great choice for skiers who love to carve. These skis are also very playful, making them a great choice for skiers who love to have fun on the slopes. However, they may not be the best choice for deeper snow days out west due to their lack of flotation.

In terms of persona, the Line Blade Optic 96 Skis would be a great fit for skiers who prioritize playfulness and energy, while the Faction Prodigy 2 Skis would be more suitable for those who value versatility and stability.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When comparing the Line Blade Optic 96 Skis and the Faction Prodigy 2 Skis, it's clear that both skis excel in different areas.

  1. Playfulness: The Line Blade Optic 96 Skis take the win in this category. Their energetic and poppy performance makes them a joy to ski on, especially for those who love to seek out side hits and jump moguls.

  2. Versatility: The Faction Prodigy 2 Skis win in this category. Their strong edge grip and stiffness underfoot make them a great choice for skiers who love to carve, while their playful nature makes them fun to ski on a variety of terrains.

  3. Stability: Both skis are praised for their stability, but the Line Blade Optic 96 Skis might have a slight edge due to their metal construction, which translates to a smooth and damp ride.

  4. Carving: The Faction Prodigy 2 Skis take the win in this category. Their strong edge grip and stiffness underfoot make them a great choice for skiers who love to carve.

Overall, the winner would depend on the skier's personal preferences and skiing style. The Line Blade Optic 96 Skis would be a great choice for those who prioritize playfulness and energy, while the Faction Prodigy 2 Skis would be more suitable for those who value versatility and stability.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Line Blade Optic 96 Skis and the Faction Prodigy 2 Skis are excellent choices for the 2023 season. They both offer a versatile and playful performance that can handle a variety of terrains. However, they each have their unique strengths that make them suitable for different types of skiers. The Line Blade Optic 96 Skis are known for their energetic and poppy performance, making them a great choice for skiers who love to explore different terrains at high speeds. On the other hand, the Faction Prodigy 2 Skis are praised for their versatility and stability, making them a great option for those who enjoy carving and freestyle skiing. Ultimately, the best ski would depend on the skier's personal preferences and skiing style. So, whether you're a speed demon or a carving king, there's a ski out there that's perfect for you!

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