Le mogul pro review

Overview

The Le Mogul Pro is Faction's competition mogul ski: the brand calls it its "pro-level mogul ski" for athletes and "mogul fiends" looking for a "comp-winning companion". It shares the 100-66-90 mm shape, the elliptical sidecut and the traditional mogul profile of the regular Le Mogul, but comes only in the two long sizes, 171 and 179 cm, with 25% softer tips and what Faction describes as a premium construction with greater optimization. At 1,550 g (171) and 1,600 g (179) per ski it stays light for its length. It is the more expensive of the two mogul skis, at €749 against €599 for Le Mogul on Faction's EU site.

On-snow performance

Faction rates the Pro's flex at 6/10, one step softer than Le Mogul's 7/10, and gives it the same 5/10 for all-mountain and carving, 1/10 for freeride and powder and 8/10 for park and freestyle in the mogul sense. The softer tips are the key change: Faction says they let you butter through the bumps at higher speed and with more fluidity, so the shovel should fold into each bump and absorb the hit rather than deflect. The elliptical sidecut keeps a longer radius underfoot for quick pivots in the zipper line and shorter radii at the tip and tail for easy turn entry, and the "Mustache Flex" stays supportive underfoot for edge hold in the troughs. High camber with tip and tail rocker and a flat tail suits fast, straight lines and air sections. With 17 and 19 m radii and a 66 mm waist, it is a fall-line tool: usable on groomers, but not built for long carves or soft snow.

Construction & specs explained

• Core: lightweight poplar with integrated paulownia to save weight, set between two layers of fiberglass.
• Base: sintered.
• Shape: elliptical sidecut, a longer radius underfoot with shorter radii at the tip and tail.
• Flex: "Mustache Flex", stable underfoot with progressive tips and tails; Faction rates it 6/10, with tips 25% softer than Le Mogul.
• Profile: traditional mogul profile, a flat tail shape with high camber and tip and tail rocker.
• Dimensions: 100-66-90 mm in both lengths. Radius: 17 m (171), 19 m (179).
• Weight: 1,550 g (171) and 1,600 g (179) per ski. Lengths: 171 and 179 cm.

Who it's for & comparisons

The Le Mogul Pro is for competitive mogul skiers and committed bump skiers who want a long, fast mogul ski. Faction's size guide keeps the ski close to skier height and points skiers from about 165-170 cm upward to the 171 and those around 175-185 cm to the 179, so this is the size range for taller and adult skiers; shorter skiers are sent to the regular Le Mogul in 140-163 cm. The closest ski in our catalog is the K2 244 mens, which has the same 66 mm waist and a 173 cm length, but a 97 mm tip, an 82 mm tail and a full camber profile with little rocker; the Pro's wider shape and tip-and-tail rocker suggest an easier entry into each bump. For one ski that handles groomers as well as occasional bumps, the Faction Dancer 79 Ti is the far more versatile choice.

Pros, cons and verdict

Pros

• Competition-focused mogul ski with tips 25% softer than Le Mogul.
• Elliptical sidecut that pivots quickly in the zipper line.
• Light for its length at 1,550-1,600 g per ski.
• Long 171 and 179 cm sizes for taller skiers.

Cons

• A specialist with no place in soft snow and limited use on open groomers.
• Only two lengths.
• Flat tail rules out switch skiing and park use.
• Priced €150 above the regular Le Mogul.

Verdict: The Faction Le Mogul Pro is a long, light competition mogul ski whose softer tips are built for speed and flow in the bumps. Skiers under about 165 cm, or those who ski bumps only now and then, are better served by the regular Le Mogul or an all-mountain ski.