Faction Candide 3.0x 2020 – 2021 | Review
Why We Chose The Faction Candide 3.0X: Playful, all mountain, classic
Lengths (cm): 169, 178
Sidecut (mm): 140-112-134
Radius: 17m (at 169cm)
Rocker Profile: Rocker-Camber-Rocker
Weight (per ski): 1890g (169cm)
Price: £649
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From Faction’s renowned partnership with Candide Thovex come the CT 3.0 and 3.0x. The legendary freeskier’s signature range has become a go-to for freeskiers across the globe. As the middle ski in Candide’s range, the CT 3.0 and 3.0x hit right at the intersection of park (CT 1.0) and backcountry (CT 5.0), resulting in a freestyle-inspired, freeride ski.
Faction currently dominates the women’s freeskiing scene by supporting a stacked team of female pros and showcasing their talent (watch The Collective: X Women’s Segment). They also do it by creating skis that perform equally, independent of gender.
Faction’s women’s range – the X series – are identical in build to the men’s range, and differ in only one respect: top-sheets. If you’re into pink, opt for the 3.0x if not, the 3.0 does the exact same job in less rosy colours.
Faction Candide 3.0X Build
Balsa softwood, selected for its impressive strength to weight ratio, and pachacho hardwood form the CT 3.0x’s core. At slightly under 2kg per ski, the 3.0x isn’t the lightest ski around but this seems a worthwhile trade off for the fat 112mm waist and the stability you receive in return: the 3.0x includes a layer of titanal reinforcement plates to bolster rigidity and power, and to ensure bindings hold well to the ski (something to consider if you’re planning on regular high-impact skiing on unpredictable terrain).
This attention to robustness is enhanced by the CT 3.0x’s microcap construction, where the topsheet encases the sidewall for additional protection. Full-strength sidewalls provide decent edge grip, so even though these skis are most at home in the backcountry they will get by on groomers and withstand low-coverage conditions.
Faction Candide 3.0X Shaping
A 310mm tip rocker and 300mm tail rocker instil the CT 3.0x with great flotation, whilst early tip and tail taper in the ski’s sidecut ensure manoeuvrability in deep powder and crud. A multi-dimension sidecut allows for nippy short turns in trees and couloirs thanks to a shorter radius directly underfoot. The longer radius towards the nose and tail upholds keeps you steady when you’re flying down open faces, which, with an average radius of 17m in the minimum 169cm ski length, is what the CT 3.0x favours.
More traditional freeride skis feature straighter and flatter tails, but in true Candide style the CT 3.0x combines the twin tip shaping and rocker of a freestyle ski with the stiffness and directional flex required for freeride.
With grabs, spins, and flips impressing on the freeride scene, in no small part thanks to Candide, you’ll be glad to know the CT 3.0x covers you for tricks and charging. Especially, if you follow Faction’s ‘New School’ mounting point, unique to the Candide Series and a nod to his influence on freeskiing’s progression.
Who Is The Faction Candide 3.0X For?
The CT 3.0x is for advanced and expert skiers looking to shred outside of piste boundaries. The significant 112mm waist is geared towards (fingers crossed) ultra deep powder days and ungroomed terrain, and the reasonably long ski lengths (169 cm and 178 cm in the 3.0x) maximise stability at speed in these conditions.
The CT 3.0x is also a reasonably stiff ski, thanks to the hybrid hardwood core and titanal metal plates. These features (and Candide’s personal input) mean the CT 3.0x doesn’t come cheap. But for freeriders searching for some originality, the CT 3.0x is a ski worth investing in.
If you like the sound of the CT 3.0x, but consider yourself an intermediate skier or you prefer to stick primarily to the piste, check out the CT 2.0x for a more accessible all-mountain freestyle inspired ski.
What Is The Faction Candide 3.0X Good At?
Playfulness: 9/10
Stability at Speed: 7/10
All Mountain Performance: 8/10
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