In the world of all-mountain skis, the Salomon Stance 96 and Faction Dancer 2 are two top contenders for the 2023 season. Both skis are designed for advanced skiers who love to charge down the mountain, but each has its unique strengths and weaknesses. The Salomon Stance 96 is a well-balanced, metal-reinforced ski that is smooth and quiet while remaining energetic and playful. It's a great ski for skiers who love to charge but want something with just enough forgiveness to be fun in less-than-ideal conditions. On the other hand, the Faction Dancer 2 is a lively and active ski that loves to charge the fall line and go fast. It's a bit more lively and active than the Salomon Stance 96, but it still offers a stable and precise ride. In the end, the choice between these two skis will come down to personal preference and skiing style.

Salomon Stance 96 Skis · 2023 summary

The Salomon Stance 96 is a well-balanced, metal-reinforced, all-mountain ski that is smooth and quiet while remaining energetic and playful. This ski is designed for skiers who love to charge, but want something with just enough forgiveness to be fun in less-than-ideal conditions. The Stance 96 is a directional all-mountain charger that stands out from its competition thanks to its reasonable price point and nuanced construction.

The Stance 96 is a great "one-ski-quiver" for directional all-mountain skiers who want a stable, damp, reliable carver that they can grab regardless of conditions. Expert skiers will be pleased with the energy and versatility the Stance provides when compared with other heavy, metal ski options like the Voelkl Mantra or K2 Mindbender. Athletic intermediate skiers will enjoy the Stance's stable, confidence-inspiring platform but could find the ski cumbersome in tighter spots like bumps and trees.

The Stance 96 is a high-performance all-mountain ski designed for advanced skiers. With a poplar wood core, carbon and flax materials, and double titanal layers, this ski is stiff, responsive, and stable at high speeds. Its full sandwich sidewalls provide excellent edge grip and a smooth carving experience. This ski is perfect for those who want to confidently tackle a variety of terrain and conditions.

Faction Dancer 2 Skis · 2023 summary

The Faction Dancer 2 Skis 2023 is a great fit for all-mountain freeride enthusiasts. With a sustainably-sourced wood core and two razor-thin metal sheets, these skis provide a perfect blend of energy, light weight, and stability. The versatile 96 mm waist and touch of rocker make them suitable for all conditions and terrain. Backed by Austrian construction and powered by renewable energy, these skis are the ultimate choice for a thrilling and sustainable skiing experience.

The Faction Dancer 2 is one of the favorite skis headed into this season because it really kills it all over the mountain, particularly in the Rockies and Sierras. It loves to break the sound barrier, wind trees, pound moguls, and graze through powder. It definitely does best for the skier that leans forward and has a more athletic stance, rather than leaning back and shmearing turns. Whether the vibe is ironing out carving technique, or ripping the off-piste gnar, the Dancer is a great option for the aspiring intermediate or advanced skiers of the west!

The Faction Dancer 2 is Faction's entry into the category of stouter, stiffer, more directional skis; it is strong and precise, but it still has a lower swing weight due to its construction. The Faction is a bit more lively and active than something more predictable, like, say, the Volkl Mantra, but it still likes to charge the fall line and go fast.

Similarities

Both the Salomon Stance 96 and the Faction Dancer 2 are high-performance all-mountain skis designed for advanced skiers. They both feature a 96mm waist, making them versatile enough to handle a variety of conditions and terrain. Both skis are also reinforced with two sheets of metal, providing a stable and responsive ride at high speeds. They are both designed to be strong and precise, with a lower swing weight due to their construction. Both skis are also designed to be stable and confidence-inspiring, making them a great choice for advanced to expert skiers.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both skis are designed for advanced skiers, they each have their unique strengths and weaknesses. The Salomon Stance 96 is a well-balanced, metal-reinforced ski that is smooth and quiet while remaining energetic and playful. It's a great ski for skiers who love to charge but want something with just enough forgiveness to be fun in less-than-ideal conditions. This ski is perfect for those who want a stable, damp, reliable carver that they can grab regardless of conditions.

On the other hand, the Faction Dancer 2 is a lively and active ski that loves to charge the fall line and go fast. It's a bit more lively and active than the Salomon Stance 96, but it still offers a stable and precise ride. This ski is perfect for those who want a ski that can handle all conditions and terrain, from carving on groomers to ripping through powder.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to versatility, both skis perform well in a variety of conditions and terrain. However, the Salomon Stance 96 might have a slight edge due to its well-balanced design and playful nature.

In terms of stability, both skis offer a stable and responsive ride at high speeds. However, the Faction Dancer 2 might be a bit more stable due to its lively and active nature.

When it comes to carving, both skis excel at carving on groomers. However, the Salomon Stance 96 might have a slight edge due to its ability to make all lengths of turns.

In terms of price, the Salomon Stance 96 comes in slightly cheaper than the Faction Dancer 2, making it a better value for the money.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Salomon Stance 96 and the Faction Dancer 2 are excellent choices for advanced skiers looking for a high-performance all-mountain ski. The Salomon Stance 96 offers a well-balanced, playful ride that is perfect for skiers who love to charge but want something with just enough forgiveness to be fun in less-than-ideal conditions. On the other hand, the Faction Dancer 2 offers a lively and active ride that loves to charge the fall line and go fast. In the end, the choice between these two skis will come down to personal preference and skiing style. So, whether you're a speed demon or a playful carver, there's a ski out there for you. Happy skiing!