Hi, I'm a 5'11 man that weigh about 165lbs and lives in the PNW. I'm looking for a ski that I can use for long days out on the volcanoes for spring corn harvests. I picked up skiing in my adult years and I'm not a super aggressive skier. I use a Scarpa F1 (the regular version, not the LT) as my backcountry boot of choice.
I currently have a Carbon Drive 3.0 Blizzard Zero G 95 in a 171cm length with an Atomic Backland binding. They unfortunately feel too stiff for me and initiating turns feels like it takes a lot of effort and I don't feel at home with them and they don't feel super fun. In comparison, my hybrid setup that I first started touring with (and that I now primarily use for downhill), the 2022 Bent Chetler 100 + Shifts felt a lot easier to ski on to make easy turns especially after a long day out where my legs are tired.
Do you think these skis would ski similar-ish to the bents? aka they pivot easily? Are there other skis that you would recommend over the La Machine Micros that are easier to handle? And in terms of sizing for the Micro, would you recommend the 170 or the 177? I know that people recommend going longer when there's the tail rocker eating away at the edge length.
Faction La Machine Micro Ski
With a product portfolio that includes a “Supreme Roller Skate Split Monoboard,” it’s clear that Faction isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo. So, when Faction created a low 90’s underfoot ski with free-skiing spirit, we couldn’t feign too much surprise. Built to move with the agility of a cat through off-piste terrain, the La Machine Micro is made to be easily handled, allowing itself to effortlessly pivot through areas where maneuverability is essential. While being the harder snow-oriented ski in the La Machine lineup, the Micro, with its deep rocker lines and progressive shape, floats well above other brands' skis in this category, simplifying your decision of which ski to grab in the morning. With the Faction La Machine Micro, it's not the size that matters, but how you use it.
- Bio-based resin helps reduce the environmental impact of the ski.
- Faction recycles scrap base, sidewall, and top sheet material back into their production line.
- Full Carbon Layers allow Faction to control the flex without adding unnecessary additional weight.
- Austrian construction is durable and made to last.
- Made entirely with renewable energy.
| Specifications | |
| Lengths (cm) | 156, 163, 170, 177 |
|
Weight |
1175g [156] 1275g [163] 1325g [170] 1400g [177] |
| Weight (pair) | 2350g [156] 2550g [163] 2650g [170] 2800g [177] |
|
|
120-91-111 [All sizes] |
|
Turn |
15m [156] 16m [163] 17m [170] 18m [177] |
|
Skin |
Round tip, round tail |
| Specs Verified | Yes |
| Design | |
|
|
tip rocker, camber, tail rocker |
|
|
Elliptical sidecut |
|
|
Full strength sidewall, carbon layers, mustache flex |
|
|
Paulownia wood core |
| Skimo Co Says | |
| Usage | Freeride mountaineering |
| Notes | Mustache flex gives support just in front and behind the binding area with progressively softer towards tip and tail |
| Bottom Line | Lightweight, rockered, freeride tourer |
| Compare to other Mid-fat Skis | |
Related Products
Questions & Reviews
3/21/2025
3/21/2025
Hi Alex,
I would recommend this ski for you! The 90mm width and medium weight are great for spring skiing on the volcanos, and the rocker profile of this ski makes it predictable and easy to handle. It will not require as much input and drive as the Zero G 95 to pivot and turn. As far as dedicated touring skis go, it isn't too dissimilar from the Bents. You will want to mount it on the Progressive or Newschool line, depending on where you have your Bents mounted, to get a similar experience. Progressive is our default with these skis.
I would recommend the 177cm for your height and weight! The tail rocker does make them ski a little bit shorter.
I would recommend this ski for you! The 90mm width and medium weight are great for spring skiing on the volcanos, and the rocker profile of this ski makes it predictable and easy to handle. It will not require as much input and drive as the Zero G 95 to pivot and turn. As far as dedicated touring skis go, it isn't too dissimilar from the Bents. You will want to mount it on the Progressive or Newschool line, depending on where you have your Bents mounted, to get a similar experience. Progressive is our default with these skis.
I would recommend the 177cm for your height and weight! The tail rocker does make them ski a little bit shorter.
Answer this question:
2/10/2025
Hi there
I'm currently skiing a Völkl Rise Beyond 96 and I'm looking for a new ski that handles well in all conditions. Does the Völkl perform much better in difficult conditions than the Micro? Would the La Machine Mini be the better option?
I'm currently skiing a Völkl Rise Beyond 96 and I'm looking for a new ski that handles well in all conditions. Does the Völkl perform much better in difficult conditions than the Micro? Would the La Machine Mini be the better option?
2/10/2025
Hi Marco,
While the Rise Beyond will have a little more edge engagement in firm conditions, the La Machine Micro and Mini may have an edge in difficult 3d snow and crud. They are damp skis, not too crazy light for what they are, and the extra tip and tail rocker help you initiate and release turns easily when the snow is grabby and less predictable.
Between the two sizes, I do think the Mini would offer better adverse-conditions performance. A little more width can help you float above the bad stuff.
While the Rise Beyond will have a little more edge engagement in firm conditions, the La Machine Micro and Mini may have an edge in difficult 3d snow and crud. They are damp skis, not too crazy light for what they are, and the extra tip and tail rocker help you initiate and release turns easily when the snow is grabby and less predictable.
Between the two sizes, I do think the Mini would offer better adverse-conditions performance. A little more width can help you float above the bad stuff.
Answer this question:
9/26/2024
Are you sure about the posted weights for this ski, they seem to be about 100 grams heavier than what any other site has posted?
9/27/2024
Paul, Other sites post Advertised weights. Skimo weighs multiple pairs of each size, then averages them. So these weights are an average of the production skis we received (sometimes there are changes between prototype and production).
I just weighed the 170cm and 156cm and got pretty much the same thing.
I just weighed the 170cm and 156cm and got pretty much the same thing.
Answer this question:
8/26/2024
How do these compare to the Blizzard 0G 85? Sounds like both have some tip and tail rocker, these maybe more than the 0G
8/27/2024
Hey Peter, I've spent time on both skis you mentioned. While the La Machine Mirco is reasonably stiff, it has ample tip and tail rocker, a relatively short turning radius, and beefier weight-wise radius than the Zero-G 85. In short, the Faction is quick and energetic while still being more forgiving in tricky snow, while the Zero-G tends to be more traditional and takes a bit more input in specific terrain. Overall, it depends on what you see yourself using the skis for!
9/9/2024
Yea I consider using them as my spring ski and steep ski mountaineering ski when I don’t expect soft snow
Answer this question:
6/11/2024
How do you guys think this ski would perform on steeper more consequential terrain such as the Grunge or NE Couloir of Lone Peak. I try to chase these lines in soft snow but inevitably you end up getting them in barely edgeable snow. I’m looking for a 88-100 underfoot ski for steeper skiing but also springtime cruising on big faces. Something that holds a decent edge but is fun in softer snow as well such as corn, chalk, and smaller amounts of powder.
6/11/2024
Hi Owen,
This ski actually does quite well in steep terrain. Lots of rocker makes it very easy to initiate turns, and forgiving on the landing. It's fairly substantial as well, and damp as a result.
That said, in barely edgeable snow, I do personally think I'd opt for something with a little more camber and a flatter tail. But that's not to say that the La Machines couldn't do it if that's the style of ski you prefered/were used to - it does have a little bit of camber and the rocker lines aren't too crazy. I think it comes down to personal preference.
For a ski with similar weight and skiability, but a flatter tail and a little more camber, it would be worth checking out the Armada Locator 88 or the Locator 96.
This ski actually does quite well in steep terrain. Lots of rocker makes it very easy to initiate turns, and forgiving on the landing. It's fairly substantial as well, and damp as a result.
That said, in barely edgeable snow, I do personally think I'd opt for something with a little more camber and a flatter tail. But that's not to say that the La Machines couldn't do it if that's the style of ski you prefered/were used to - it does have a little bit of camber and the rocker lines aren't too crazy. I think it comes down to personal preference.
For a ski with similar weight and skiability, but a flatter tail and a little more camber, it would be worth checking out the Armada Locator 88 or the Locator 96.
Answer this question:
4/9/2024
How do these compare to the Armada Locator 88s? Hoping to find something light enough for spring missions ideally with easily releasable tails & not overly demanding to ski.
4/9/2024
Hey Rachel! Both skis of interest are fantastic options but are quite different than one another. The Micro features a progressive shape with a notable amount of rocker while the Locator 88 takes on a more traditional profile. These shape differences play a big role in the way they ski. The Micro is highly maneuverable with little edge working against you. Continuing, their shape lends to great soft snow performance, working hard to keep you afloat. The Locator and its more traditional nature make for a versatile choice performing well in a broad range of conditions and terrain types. It particularly shines in firm snow, which may be a more logical choice for typical spring conditions. Neither ski is particularly demanding and both tails release easily. The Micro's tails will release easier, but that may not prove to be beneficial in firm snow or steep terrain. In any case, both skis are great options and would make for a great springtime ski! Thanks!
Answer this question:
1/6/2024
I really wish these were just a touch lighter. I’m really looking for something in that 1250-1300 gram range which is what Faction claims on the website. I want something in that 88-90 underfoot range and in the target weight specifically for ski mountaineering and traverses, where I want to primarily prioritize weight but go often end up skiing a range of weird snow. There’s options out there that hit the numbers I want, but none of those incorporate tail rocker which I just simply don’t understand. Maybe I’m weird in my preferences here but I had a custom pow ski made with a relatively flat tail because I love that feeling in soft snow. But, when it comes to consequential terrain I just want the ski to release as easily as humanly possible in the tail! This ski seems like the closest to what I want that I’ve found, but hoping they make a version that knocks 150 grams off that 177 length! Does anything else jump out at anyone as a possible alternative that’s got tail rocker and is lighter than this??
1/6/2024
Hi Chris,
I feel your pain! I wish there were more rockered options in this width range as well, at better weights. A 1250 gram flat/full rocker profile ski, at 88-90mm, would crush variable snow and big days.
There are a few other options that meet the dimensions and profile, but none that will offer a significantly better weight (that I know of). The Ski Trab Neve springs to mind, but itś the same weight. I do think the Neve would be more damp and powerful, but the tail rocker (while present) is not quite as exaggerated as the Faction. Heritage Labs makes the BC90 which is modeled after a V-Werks full rocker profile, and also looks like a really good ski, but itś heavier. If you really want that profile, I would personally get these and throw a fixed race mount on them for the lightest weight possible.
I feel your pain! I wish there were more rockered options in this width range as well, at better weights. A 1250 gram flat/full rocker profile ski, at 88-90mm, would crush variable snow and big days.
There are a few other options that meet the dimensions and profile, but none that will offer a significantly better weight (that I know of). The Ski Trab Neve springs to mind, but itś the same weight. I do think the Neve would be more damp and powerful, but the tail rocker (while present) is not quite as exaggerated as the Faction. Heritage Labs makes the BC90 which is modeled after a V-Werks full rocker profile, and also looks like a really good ski, but itś heavier. If you really want that profile, I would personally get these and throw a fixed race mount on them for the lightest weight possible.
Answer this question:
9/23/2023
Sorry, I asked this on the ‘Mini’ page by mistake. I meant to ask about this one (91mm).
Does the Micro still have deeper rocker than the Locator 96?
Both seem to have a fair bit of tail rocker (for a <100 mm ski).
Wondering if it would be worthwhile to replace my (120 lbs) daughter’s Tracer 88, to give her some easier skiing in low angle, tight trees with deep powder, without adding to much weight or width on the uphill.
Does the Micro still have deeper rocker than the Locator 96?
Both seem to have a fair bit of tail rocker (for a <100 mm ski).
Wondering if it would be worthwhile to replace my (120 lbs) daughter’s Tracer 88, to give her some easier skiing in low angle, tight trees with deep powder, without adding to much weight or width on the uphill.
9/23/2023
Hi Tjaard, Yes, the Micro still has deeper rocker lines than the Locator, on both the tip and the tail. It flexes pretty similarly to the Mini as well. The big difference I see is the Micro has a bit more camber so I would expect a bit more energy out of turns. It has quite a bit of rocker for the width. 88 to 91mm underfoot isn´t a huge jump, but I do think the tip, and especially the tail rocker would make the Faction more usable and fun in soft snow. It might be worth going wider for truly deep conditions. To discuss skis more in depth, feel free to shoot us an email at help@skimo.co!
Answer this question:
2/8/2023
Is this ski in the 177 available to demo? Also, I'd love to see a pic of the rocker profile for these. A 90mm underfoot, de-cambered ski sounds like a dream!
2/8/2023
Hayden,
Unfortunately not up for demo. Here's a photo:
Unfortunately not up for demo. Here's a photo:
Answer this question:
1/12/2023
Do you have a real-world weight for these?
1/13/2023
Also a straight-pull length on the 177 would be helpful, wonder if they are a true 177 or more like 175
1/29/2023
Hi Ben, we have weighed these in.
Answer this question:
7/14/2022
Very interested in trying these. Its about time somebody made a fully rockered ski with a reasonably light weight (R.I.P. Volkl BMT 94). Will you have these available for demo?
7/14/2022
Hi Ben, you are mirroring our thoughts. We do have at least one pair scheduled for the demo fleet. Let us know what length you'd be interested in testing and we'll see if we can't make it that one.
7/14/2022
I normally like skis between 170 and 177 but considering the full rocker shape 177 will probably be the best choice. The 176 BMT 94 was the best touring ski of all time, I sold it while in a weight-weenie phase and I regret that decision every day. I hope to try these and the "Mini," but I'm leaning towards the Micro because I already have full rocker Beast 108s in the quiver and don't need 2 pairs of ~100mm+ skis
Answer this question:
Earn store credit by writing reviews. Learn more.
