Ski: 2022-2023 Faction Mana 2, 183 cm
Available Lengths: 166, 173, 178, 183, 188 cm
Blister’s Measured Tip-to-Tail Length (straight-tape pull): 181.0 cm
Stated Weight Per Ski: 1880 grams
Blister’s Measured Weight per Ski: 1929 & 1982 grams
Stated Dimensions: 131-102-127 mm
Blister’s Measured Dimensions: 130.5-101.4-126.6 mm
Stated Sidecut Radius (183 cm): 20 meters
Measured Tip & Tail Splay (ski decambered): 62 mm / 57 mm
Measured Traditional Camber Underfoot: 5 mm
Core Materials: poplar + carbon / rubber edge reinforcement layers + fiberglass laminate
Base: sintered
Factory Recommended Mount Point:
- “Newschool” line: -3.8 cm from center; 86.7 cm from tail
- “Progressive” line: -5.3 cm from center; 85.2 cm from tail
- “Classic” line: -6.8 cm from center; 83.7 cm from tail
[Editor’s Note: In the interest of getting you information sooner on some of the products we’re reviewing, we’re posting here some of our measured specs and manufacturer details. Take a look, and let us know in the Comments Section below what questions you’d like us to answer.]
What Faction says about the Mana 2
“The Mana 2 with its versatile 102 mm waist is the sleekest in the family, making it the ideal tool to transition from all-mountain, to backside, to park. This is a high-quality, high-performance craft that effortlessly responds to your movements and your commands. Its lightweight poplar core construction helps the ski to pop off booters, butter over rollers, and whip effortlessly between turns. Yet the Rubber/Carbon stomp pad keeps it strong enough to take hit after hit. Enjoy the finest, most durable Austrian construction, powered 100% by renewable energy.”
Flex Pattern
Here’s how we’d characterize the flex pattern of the Mana 2:
Tips: 7
Shovels: 7.5-8.5
In Front of Toe Piece: 9-10
Underfoot: 10
Behind the Heel Piece: 10-9
Tails: 8.5-7.5
Flash Review
Blister Members can read our Flash Review of the Mana 2 for our initial on-snow impressions. Become a Blister member now to check out this and all of our Flash Reviews, plus get exclusive deals and discounts on skis, and personalized gear recommendations from us.
The 20-21 version of this ski, the CT 2.0, was about 300 grams heavier and much more of a charger ski. It kind of left its “park” focus and became an all mtn charger twin tip ski. It seemed the park skiers felt it was too burly and the charger style skiers loved it. Can you give a little history of the last few years of the CT skis and where this new one fits in the park vs all mtn charger spectrum.
If you look on TGR you can find a long breakdown regarding all the construction changes and weight changes of this ski. it sounds like that 20-21 version was the holy grail of all mountain chargers that everyone slept on until it was too late and they were all snatched up. I’m still mad I didn’t grab one on sale after taking a hard look but ultimately talking myself out of it.
I’ll say that my 20/21 CT 3.0 in 190 cm weighs 2,350 g each, and has an impressively stout flex. It’s super damp and can be pushed hard. It’s still not my “charger” though because it’s an overall smaller ski than it looks. Wish it was 195 cm. Paradoxically, it’s also really easy to ski and let you relax on it too if that’s your style. The camber is misleading because that middle section is softer than most skis. The flex seems pretty much uniform, thus relatively stiff extremities compared to most. Results: skis more like a full reverse camber.
Hopefully blister gets on the new Mana 4 too!
There’s a few new pairs on sale for pretty cheap near me, at Skiers Sportshop. (Canada + US shipping, if you’re interested)