Faction Mana 3.0 Skis 2024

The Mana 3 is no-holds-barred skiing, anything is possible: stomp cliffs, huck wind lips, ski powder or just cruise the mountain having fun. The modest 112 mm waist width effortlessly balances performance, precision, and playfulness, making the ski a freestyle-inspired quiver-killer for your all-mountain and freeride needs. The sustainably harvested poplar core construction is complemented by generous rocker and a hint of camber, resulting in a ski that presses and pivots with catch-free confidence, without sacrificing edge hold and stability at speed. The Mana 3 comes with Faction's unique rubber/carbon stomp pad to give you the support you need for skiing hard in all conditions.

Terrain Type & Ability Level

Terrain Type
They truly shine in softer snow but it is capable anywhere, especially if you have a freestyle mindset. The width and rocker ensure the float and control for when powder is in town, the construction provides the stability for rougher snow and the Mana shaping delivers the handling and versatility you need for all-mountain skiing.

Skier Type
Advanced and expert freeskiers who want a fun but stable ski for using the whole mountain as a playground. The flex allows the ski to blast through crud and stomp landings, without sacrificing the ability to butter and smear.

Overview

Shape
112mm in the waist is big enough to deal with deep days, and the 21m (184cm) radius provides stability for when the snow isn't so smooth. It's a directional twin meaning it's built to charge as well as ski switch, with the tail only slightly narrower than the tip. There's more tip and tail rocker on the 3.0 version, compared to the 2.0, and this boosts the manoeuvrability particularly in softer snow, making it easier to wash out the tails or pivot the tip if needed.

Rocker
Tip and Tail Rocker uses traditional camber underfoot for response and good edge grip, with rocker at the tip and tail to improve manoeuvrability by aiding turn initiation and completion. 

Core
Poplar is a light-colored, medium-weight, durable softwood that flexes and pops nicely as well as having a whole load of vibration absorption capabilities. Used as the only wood in this core, it allows the ski to pop, butter and stomp and also have enough torsional stability to grip impressively on the downhill.

Construction
Full Strength Sidewalls uses a construction that places strips of protective material along the sides of each core, between the edge and the topsheet. Sidewalls provide the best possible edge hold and stability when the ski is engaged in a turn as well as protecting the wood core, edges and topsheet from impact and outside damage. Micro-cap construction is a hybrid of a premium, sandwich sidewall construction fused with a lightweight, durable cap construction. With micro-cap, the sandwich construction provides awesome edge hold and torsional stability while the ski’s topsheet wraps around and meets the sidewall, protecting the fragile join that can be prone to chipping.

Key Features

XL 2.5mm Edges
Thicker edges mean increased durability and impact resistance, crucial for a ski that is built to test the rule book. 

Carbon and Rubber Stomp Pad
A 600mm-long, 15mm-wide carbon/rubber reinforcement underfoot, above the edge, adds strength where it matters most to this performance oriented ski. In addition to protecting the wood core from heavy-duty impact on rails, the carbon and rubber inlay adds stability and vibration absorption under your boots, so that stomped landings feel better, both for you and your skis.

Full Carbon Weave
Between 8 and 12 strips of Carbon, sandwiching either side of the ski’s wood core, are laid unidirectionally, providing extra stability to the ski, without adding weight to the build. Each carbon strip is woven into the fibre glass to provide strength and stiffness in the full length of the ski.

EB tester’s comments: Mark (Trainer) I absolutely loved its playful ride and surfy feel. It's so easy to pivot with its low swing weight and has lots of float, so great in soft snow. Plus, it has surprising grip and carvability on hard pack too. I thought it was really versatile, not just a one trick pony!

General Information

• Skier Ability: Advanced|Expert
• Terrain Type: Freeride|Freestyle
• Rocker: Tip/Tail Rocker
• Radius: Long
• Base: Sintered
• Bindings: Ski sold flat
• DIN: n/a
• Construction: Mini Cap Full Sidewall
• Core: Wood, Carbon
• Demo: No
• Sizing Description: Forehead to over head height. The increased length ensures better grip, stability and floatation and is essential to making the ski work to its full potential. Large rockers at the tip mean it is important not to size down.