The ski test in Swedish ski magazine Åka Skidor is one of the longest-running in the ski world, having been a yearly staple since the late '80s. It's also one of the most respected and thorough, with a large panel of expert skiers putting each ski through the ultimate trial.

This year, 61 skis were tested across six different categories.The Factory 102 claimed top honors in the freeride category, edging out a field of highly capable skis from some of the biggest names in the industry - proving that we, as a small and independent manufacturer, have what it takes to compete with the heavyweights and build world-class skis.

The test crew praised the Factory 102 for its unique blend of versatility, smoot turning, and power - all without ever feeling demanding. Which is exactly what we set out to achieve when we developed the 102.

The Factory 102 is a ski that’s effortless to get along with. It performs exceptionally well on groomed runs, especially when you carry some speed and have a bit of strength in your legs. It offers just the right amount of dampening to stay smooth and stable without ever feeling dull. You can tell it was developed in northern Sweden – chopped-up and wind-packed snow are no problem. At the same time, it never feels grabby, and it’s easy to scrub off speed even in crowded sections.

Despite its 21-meter radius and 2000-gram weight, the 102 feels noticeably quicker and lighter than you’d expect. It’s well-balanced in the air and handles jumps confidently. It may lose a touch of energy at the end of a turn, which makes it feel safe and forgiving but means it lacks that final bit of snap on the groomers.

In powder, it holds its own. Even though it has a fairly long turning radius, it floats well and is easy to maneuver through the trees. Overall, it’s a well-built ski that performs reliably across all kinds of terrain and snow conditions.