MANUFACTURER

Faction was founded in 2006 by Tony McWilliam, an Australian designer living in Verbier.Like most other new ski brands founded around the same time, Tony was frustrated with the state of the long-established ski industry, which focussed exclusively on the race circuit and produced volumes that were never sold.

But things really took off in 2013 when Candide Thovex joined Faction. Candide had often changed ski sponsors in the years before and it wasn't certain whether he would stay. But he got his favourite ski, the CT 4.0 and later 5.0, and stayed. Candide is undisputedly the most famous freeskier ever and is generally one of the best-paid athletes in the ski world. His "One of those days" series and the elaborate production for Audi are certainly unforgettable.

However, Faction did not rely on Candide alone.

Early on, the product line was diversified to appeal to other freeriders and freeskiers. With freestylers Alex Hall, Antti Ollila, Mac Forehand, Daniel Hanka and many more, Faction shows that they want to have the best athletes on their skis in this area even beyond the time of Candide. Thanks to the touring line "Agent" and the "Dictator" reinforced with Titanal, freeriders such as Sam Anthamatten, Yann Rausis and Simon Charriere can be provided with the best possible skis. However, the many top female athletes who ski with Faction skis deserve special mention. Kelly Sidlaru, Sarah Hoefflin and Mathilde Gremaud all took top honours in various freestyle disciplines at the last Winter Olympics and the last X-Games. Freerider Elisabeth Gerritzen won gold at the FWT in Verbier in 2019. But there are many more.