After 10 years, Candide Thovex and Faction Skis Part Ways

This just in: After a fruitful 10-year partnership, legendary French freeskier Candide Thovex and his ski sponsor, Faction Skis, will part ways.

"Winter 2021-22 marks the final season of collaboration between Faction Skis and Candide Thovex, with both parties moving on amicably to new adventures in the spring," reads a press release from Faction released today (read the full release below).

Candide first joined the Faction team in 2012. Before his decade-long run with the Verbier-based company, his frequent sponsor changes were often the stuff of gossip in the core freeskiing scene.

At the start of Candide’s career around the turn of the century, he rode for Dynastar before joining the Salomon team, where he landed his own pro model ski. His switch to Rossignol during the 2004-2005 season was a pivotal moment, a sign that other ski brands were beginning to focus on the growing freeski scene.

After several years with Rossignol, Candide put in a stint at the short-lived start-up ski brand CoreUPT in 2008, before joining Faction four years later. Though he’s moved around a lot throughout his career, his partnership with Faction was by far the longest.

What’s next for Candide? As always, the GOAT is playing his cards close to his vest. Whether it’s a new boutique brand (a la his signature clothing label, the Candide Collection) or another partnership with a major ski company, one thing’s for sure: Expect the unexpected from Candide.

Here’s the full press release from Faction. Head over to their website for a nicely curated timeline of Candide and Faction’s long history together.

January 17, 2022 – Verbier, Switzerland.

Winter 2021-22 marks the final season of collaboration between Faction Skis and Candide Thovex, with both parties moving on amicably to new adventures in the spring.

“On behalf of everyone at The Faction Collective, I would like to thank Candide for the incredible impact he has brought to the Faction Skis brand” says Faction CEO and Co-Founder, Alex Hoye. “Candide’s genius undoubtedly helped put Faction on the map and for that we will forever be grateful. After 10 years working together to develop award-winning skis, both parties feel we have achieved what we set out to do. Now, with exciting new adventures to explore, we head on our different paths with great memories and respect. We wish Candide nothing but the best on his journey ahead. One thing we’re sure of, the future is bright for both Candide and Faction, and that’s a pretty good sign that our relationship has been a success. Candide, thank you!”

The 2021-22 CT Signature Series is therefore confirmed as the final collection of Candide Thovex Pro Model skis by Faction, available at Faction retail partner stores across the globe and online at factionskis.com. “Candide’s vision for a freeski collection helped guide our philosophy for this series, with the final collection being undoubtedly our most exciting and high-quality range to date” notes Hoye. “As a mark of respect for the role Candide has played in the development of the brand, we will retire the CT 5.0 ski model on which he made so much history, assigning this special ski to its rightful place in freeski lore.”

After a decade of collaboration punctuated with countless ski awards, limited-edition product releases and industry innovation, Faction Skis has released a timeline of the partnership on its website. Ski fans are encouraged to scroll through and recall Faction and Candide’s most memorable moments of the past 10 years. The timeline is available at www.factionskis.com.