2018-2019 Faction Candide 4.0

Ski: 2018-2019 Faction Candide 4.0, 194 cm

Available Lengths: 176, 182, 188, 194 cm

Blister’s Measured Tip-to-Tail Length: 191.6 cm

Blister’s Measured Weight per Ski: 2186 & 2190 grams

Stated Dimensions: 140-118-134 mm

Blister’s Measured Dimensions: 139.0-117.7-133.1 mm

Stated Sidecut Radius: 27 meters

Measured Tip & Tail Splay (ski decambered): 70 mm / 61 mm

Measured Traditional Camber Underfoot: 1 mm

Core: Balsa/Flax + Poplar Reinforcements + Fiberglass Laminate

Factory Recommended Mount Point: -3.7 cm from center; 92.1 cm from tail

 

Intro

Candide Thovex does insane things on skis. And while we try not to place a lot of emphasis on which athletes are riding which skis, it’s very hard to ignore the stuff he does on the Faction Candide 4.0. So, we’re finally getting some time on the ski that Faction touts as “an easy to pivot, buttery ski whether throwing double backs or dropping pillow lines.”

Based on the shape, flex, and rocker profile of the CT 4.0, we’re already quite interested — this ski is pretty unique.

Construction

We are reviewing the 18/19 version of the CT 4.0, which gets updated with the addition of poplar stringers around the edges of the ski that are intended to increase durability. (We’ll also be reviewing the 18/19 CT 3.0, which includes the same construction update.)

Shape / Rocker Profile

The CT 4.0’s shape looks pretty similar to the other skis in the Candide line, with minimal tip and tail taper, and a nearly symmetrical shape.

Like the other Candide skis, the rocker profile of the CT 4.0 looks very freestyle-oriented. It has a lot of tip and tail splay with deep rocker lines and very little camber underfoot. While the shape and rocker profile of the CT 4.0 look pretty standard for a freestyle pow ski, things get interesting in the next section…

Sidecut Radius

One of the most striking things about the Candide 4.0 is the long sidecut profile. The 194 cm CT 4.0 has a stated sidecut radius of 27 meters — and it definitely looks pretty straight. Despite not having much taper, the tips don’t look unwieldy at all since they aren’t all that much wider than the waist of the ski.

So while the generous rocker profile and nearly symmetrical shape make the CT 4.0 look like a super playful pow slasher, its sidecut radius suggests that this is a ski that is happy to just point it (you know, how Candide himself tends to ski).

Mount Point

At -3.7 cm from center, the CT 4.0’s recommended mount point is firmly in progressive / freestyle category. We’re not aware of many (any?) skis with 27 meter sidecut radii that also have mount points that are this forward. We’ll be curious to see if the CT 4.0 insists that you stay upright and centered on the ski, or whether it still will allow you to operate with a more forward stance.

Flex Pattern

Hand flexing the CT 4.0, here’s how we’d describe its flex pattern:

Tips: 7-8
Shovels: 8-8.5
In Front of Toe Piece: 9-9.5
Underfoot: 10
Behind Heel Piece: 9-8
Tails: 8-7

Overall, the flex feels very symmetrical (which isn’t surprising given the ski’s design intentions). It also feels quite similar to the flex of the 186 cm CT 3.0.

Compared to the 190 cm Moment Blister Pro, the CT 4.0 is a touch softer through the mid section, and a bit stiffer in the very ends of the tips and tails. But overall, the flex patterns of both skis are quite similar.

Weight

Faction talks a lot about keeping the weight down on this ski, but the 194 cm version comes in at just under 2,200 g. Then again, it’s nearly 192 cm long and 118 mm wide. So while it isn’t like the new Bent Chetler 120 (which comes in around 1750 grams for the 184 cm), the 194 cm CT 4.0 has a very reasonable weight for its size, and we’re hoping this means that we can expect good stability from this ski, too.

Things We’re Curious about

When I see this ski, I immediately think of how Candide himself skis — hauling ass and going straight, popping and spinning off of everything. How much of that character will be apparent in the ski?

Along the same lines, it seems like its shape and sidecut radius both point to a ski that likes to go straight and fast, but how poppy and playful will it feel? And does it require a lot of speed, or does it still work well at more moderate speeds, too?

Bottom Line (For Now)

The 194 cm Faction Candide 4.0 is an interesting combination of a pretty straight shape with and a generous amount of tip and tail rocker. Its flex is stout enough underfoot that it looks like it should hold up at speed, but its softer tips and tails seem ready to be buttered and nollied.

We actually started getting time on the 4.0 yesterday in Telluride, and we’re back on it again this morning. So we’ll try to get a Flash Review posted soon (hopefully tonight), so check back for our initial take.

Flash Review: Faction Candide 4.0

Blister members can now read our initial on-snow impressions in our Flash Review of the Candide 4.0.

(Learn more about Blister Member benefits, and Become a Blister member)

NEXT: Rocker Profile Pics