Faction's all mountain Dictator range replaces its Standard series for next season and the Verbier-based manufacturer has gone back to the design board to make some significant changes.
Gone is the poplar/beech core, replaced by a paulownia/poplar heart, while what was once a single titanal sheet is now doubled to a dual titanal layer, all wrapped up in a touch-enticing brushed top-sheet.
The dual-radius sidecut remains but the rocker has increased significantly in the tip and tail, and the turn radius has been tightened by a couple of metres. The generous choice of sizes remains, with five lengths between 171-187cm available - while there are now also four widths; up from three thanks to the addition of a slimmer 85mm option.
There's no doubt that the Dictator 2.0 are fun and frisky off-piste and very responsive, and they are fun at low speeds too.
The combination of stiff and light doesn't do the 2.0s any favours at pace, however, and you have to be constantly alert not to get bucked around by every lump and bump. On-piste the grip is underwhelming even for 95mm wide skis in the all mountain category
Although the 2.0s are nimble and floaty, and you can butter merrily through short turns and jib to your heart's content, like so many dictators they need constant watching and have a mind of their own.
