Ski: Armada ARV 112
Reviewer height/weight: 6’0” 215lbs
Ski weights (per ski): 2070g/2060g
Length skied: 185
Actual length (with straight tape): 185cm
Dimensions: 135-112-130
Mounted: -2.5cm from true center
Bindings: Pivot 15 with Cast 2.0
Locations: Sunshine Village
Conditions skied: Powder, All-Mountain, Backside, Trees, Park
Days Skied: 2
Intro:
It’s a challenge to get a pow ski in mid april and give proper feedback, especially with last years snowfall. But luckily I don't have to repeat my Sender 110 “Park Ski” review and actually got to ride the new model where it’s supposed to be. I’ve had a love/ hate opinion with the ARV line the last couple years, but I will say the new 112 is one of my favourite skis in the quiver. For my ski style, this does everything I wish the Sender 110 could do, and I loved the Sender.
Shape/Flex/Construction:
Matching the shape of the rest of the ARV line, the 112 is still very freestyle. It sits at 135 in the tip, and a mere 5mm skinnier at 130mm in the tail. The taper to 112mm underfoot is definitely less aggressive than other skis in the category. To put it in as loose terms as possible, you know it’s an Armada when you ski it. It will keep up with a more all-mountain brand all day, but doesnt give up that freestyle feel that would send Rickety Ski Review into a rage.
As most great skis do, the 112 has a healthy amount of camber underfoot. It is shaped with the “AR Freestyle Rocker” which is an almost equal amount of rise in the tip as they have in the tail. While it looks like a twin tip, shaped like a twin tip, built like a twin tip, don't get confused. This ski can rip directional on par with any race brand that makes a killer all mountain ski while forgetting to have a park ski in their lineup.
Armada claims the ski as 6 in the nose, 6 underfoot, and 7 in the tail on scale out of 10 for stiffness. Which I will agree with, its not crazy stiff and it has never felt too soft for me, that just right, slightly above average kinda just right (Thats what she said?), Much like the Sender, you can turn it on when you want, and back off without getting beat up by the ski. With that said, I claimed the Sender as a 6-9-7 stiff ski, I will take that back and pretend I never said it, these skis are super similar, easy to ride while being stable and reliable when it counts.
There are some cool features on this model, big one to note are a 2.5mm Impact edge, That's thicker than some of the ‘all-mountain but you can ride it in the park’ models from other brands. That’s the same edge you’ll find on the ARV 88 and 94 that your fav comp skier is beating up, also the same edge that comes with the Edollo and B-Dog pro models that get thrashed in the street. I’ll say it again for anybody who is wondering what this ski can do. IT IS BUILT AS A FREESTYLE SKI. It does do the freestyle.
On Snow
I got to ride these on a pow day, I did take them on some groomers to get the feedback on how they ride (Carved a 114 Rickety, come at me) But back to the pow, these skis got to EAT, and do exactly what they were made for, which is charging some faster lines, making some snow fly, and find some soft landings in flat light. They are not damp, there is not a slow reaction when you flex them when you’re on it. They are hooky, they are poppy, but they are still smooth and surprisingly easy to ski. They respond extremely well to charging, but are nimble enough that when you turn it down a notch they ski as relaxed (or as exhausted) as you are. If you decide to ski fast and put in on the camber, don’t be shocked when these take you for a ride, they love to be skied but have enough pop and snap to out ski you if you let your guard down. Tip and tails will save you though, freestyle rocker does come in handy.
In the nice soft snow, the freestyle rocker floats well, and they will easily go sideways on command for a marketing turn or to feel some snow on your face. They will save your steeze if you land a bit backseat off of drops, that stiff tail is a bit tough to wheelie and loop out, so ride it out when possible.
Turning these wide purple freestyle pow skis is not the worst, it’s 112 underfoot so it's not going to be the best, but it’s not the worst. There is enough camber underfoot that you can lay them on edge and hold a turn. The snap and hook wants to throw you into the next one, but I love that in a ski. And if that's not your thing and you're just trying to survive the hard pack on your way back to the bar, the freestyle tail rocker gives you a break and lets you cheat your turns at a nice safe speed.
To add, they have a very playful swingweight, as any good freestyle ski should. Can whip them where they need to be in tight spots in the trees, and while being able to withstand more aggressive riding, are nimble enough to move them where you need to without losing full control. That tip and tail freestyle rocker, it’s incredible.
Park
It’s 112 underfoot, if you’re going up on a sunny day to rip some park laps, it’s not my first choice. But if it was my only choice, I would still have a blast and be just fine. I took a couple cheeky park laps between zones where I actually wanted to ski it. It rides like a wider ARV 106, and on fresh edges I successfully slid some rails, did some back 2’s out and missed a couple grabs. It has a good swingweight for mountain riding, and better than comparable width options for park skiing. It is an ARV, but obviously it's a bit wide to be considered a park ski.
Durability
I’ll have to update this as I get more days on them. They are in perfect shape after a couple light rock scares and a few rails. They should be as durable as any ski in the current ARV lineup.
Comparisons
Vs Rossignol Sender 110
I love both of these skis, and they do ride somewhat similarly and are designed to be ridden in the same conditions and terrain. The Sender is more damp and calm, and also rides a bit shorter.
A 185 ARV skis true to size, while the Sender 184cm feels like a 178 compared to the ARV. So if you like the longer feel, ARV is a great choice. The dampness on the Sender is very noticeable compared to, I prefer a ski with some kick to it, so I like the ARV. The flex patterns are very similar though, and hold up about the same when charging or going big off something.
Both skis are phenomenal, and you couldn’t go wrong with either, if you like a longer feeling ski and ride on the aggressive side, I would suggest the ARV, if that doesn't sound like you, you’ll still enjoy the ARV.
Vs Reckoner KF 114
These skis are not very comparable to be honest, they are made for two completely different riding styles. The KF is super playful, and a lot of that playfulness lives in the tail. I would say the KF is a great choice if you want to ski the mountain like Karl himself, or Dylan Siggers the mountain jibber. While the ARV is freestyle, the KF is very freestyle, and what it lacks in stability on a steep chargy line, is made up in butters and presses. The ARV is a more balanced powder ski, the KF is specific to a certain style of riding.
Conclusion
I genuinely love this ski, and not just because I've got purple Cast on a purple ski. It matches my riding style perfectly and is what I look for in a powder ski. I would ski resort on it, I would ski BC on it, I would tour with it, I’d cat or heli-ski with it.
But it is not an everyday quiver ski, it’s for the good days, on the average day it wouldn't be my first choice, but you better believe if there's enough fresh snow on the ground, I’ll be skipping and hopping to pick these for the day.
If you’re midwest, in the rockies, in the interior, or on the coast, this would be a great addition to your line up. It has a great mix of charging and turning with a freestyle personality that truly make it tone of my favourite skis.
Reviewer height/weight: 6’0” 215lbs
Ski weights (per ski): 2070g/2060g
Length skied: 185
Actual length (with straight tape): 185cm
Dimensions: 135-112-130
Mounted: -2.5cm from true center
Bindings: Pivot 15 with Cast 2.0
Locations: Sunshine Village
Conditions skied: Powder, All-Mountain, Backside, Trees, Park
Days Skied: 2
Intro:
It’s a challenge to get a pow ski in mid april and give proper feedback, especially with last years snowfall. But luckily I don't have to repeat my Sender 110 “Park Ski” review and actually got to ride the new model where it’s supposed to be. I’ve had a love/ hate opinion with the ARV line the last couple years, but I will say the new 112 is one of my favourite skis in the quiver. For my ski style, this does everything I wish the Sender 110 could do, and I loved the Sender.
Shape/Flex/Construction:
Matching the shape of the rest of the ARV line, the 112 is still very freestyle. It sits at 135 in the tip, and a mere 5mm skinnier at 130mm in the tail. The taper to 112mm underfoot is definitely less aggressive than other skis in the category. To put it in as loose terms as possible, you know it’s an Armada when you ski it. It will keep up with a more all-mountain brand all day, but doesnt give up that freestyle feel that would send Rickety Ski Review into a rage.
As most great skis do, the 112 has a healthy amount of camber underfoot. It is shaped with the “AR Freestyle Rocker” which is an almost equal amount of rise in the tip as they have in the tail. While it looks like a twin tip, shaped like a twin tip, built like a twin tip, don't get confused. This ski can rip directional on par with any race brand that makes a killer all mountain ski while forgetting to have a park ski in their lineup.
Armada claims the ski as 6 in the nose, 6 underfoot, and 7 in the tail on scale out of 10 for stiffness. Which I will agree with, its not crazy stiff and it has never felt too soft for me, that just right, slightly above average kinda just right (Thats what she said?), Much like the Sender, you can turn it on when you want, and back off without getting beat up by the ski. With that said, I claimed the Sender as a 6-9-7 stiff ski, I will take that back and pretend I never said it, these skis are super similar, easy to ride while being stable and reliable when it counts.
There are some cool features on this model, big one to note are a 2.5mm Impact edge, That's thicker than some of the ‘all-mountain but you can ride it in the park’ models from other brands. That’s the same edge you’ll find on the ARV 88 and 94 that your fav comp skier is beating up, also the same edge that comes with the Edollo and B-Dog pro models that get thrashed in the street. I’ll say it again for anybody who is wondering what this ski can do. IT IS BUILT AS A FREESTYLE SKI. It does do the freestyle.
On Snow
I got to ride these on a pow day, I did take them on some groomers to get the feedback on how they ride (Carved a 114 Rickety, come at me) But back to the pow, these skis got to EAT, and do exactly what they were made for, which is charging some faster lines, making some snow fly, and find some soft landings in flat light. They are not damp, there is not a slow reaction when you flex them when you’re on it. They are hooky, they are poppy, but they are still smooth and surprisingly easy to ski. They respond extremely well to charging, but are nimble enough that when you turn it down a notch they ski as relaxed (or as exhausted) as you are. If you decide to ski fast and put in on the camber, don’t be shocked when these take you for a ride, they love to be skied but have enough pop and snap to out ski you if you let your guard down. Tip and tails will save you though, freestyle rocker does come in handy.
In the nice soft snow, the freestyle rocker floats well, and they will easily go sideways on command for a marketing turn or to feel some snow on your face. They will save your steeze if you land a bit backseat off of drops, that stiff tail is a bit tough to wheelie and loop out, so ride it out when possible.
Turning these wide purple freestyle pow skis is not the worst, it’s 112 underfoot so it's not going to be the best, but it’s not the worst. There is enough camber underfoot that you can lay them on edge and hold a turn. The snap and hook wants to throw you into the next one, but I love that in a ski. And if that's not your thing and you're just trying to survive the hard pack on your way back to the bar, the freestyle tail rocker gives you a break and lets you cheat your turns at a nice safe speed.
To add, they have a very playful swingweight, as any good freestyle ski should. Can whip them where they need to be in tight spots in the trees, and while being able to withstand more aggressive riding, are nimble enough to move them where you need to without losing full control. That tip and tail freestyle rocker, it’s incredible.
Park
It’s 112 underfoot, if you’re going up on a sunny day to rip some park laps, it’s not my first choice. But if it was my only choice, I would still have a blast and be just fine. I took a couple cheeky park laps between zones where I actually wanted to ski it. It rides like a wider ARV 106, and on fresh edges I successfully slid some rails, did some back 2’s out and missed a couple grabs. It has a good swingweight for mountain riding, and better than comparable width options for park skiing. It is an ARV, but obviously it's a bit wide to be considered a park ski.
Durability
I’ll have to update this as I get more days on them. They are in perfect shape after a couple light rock scares and a few rails. They should be as durable as any ski in the current ARV lineup.
Comparisons
Vs Rossignol Sender 110
I love both of these skis, and they do ride somewhat similarly and are designed to be ridden in the same conditions and terrain. The Sender is more damp and calm, and also rides a bit shorter.
A 185 ARV skis true to size, while the Sender 184cm feels like a 178 compared to the ARV. So if you like the longer feel, ARV is a great choice. The dampness on the Sender is very noticeable compared to, I prefer a ski with some kick to it, so I like the ARV. The flex patterns are very similar though, and hold up about the same when charging or going big off something.
Both skis are phenomenal, and you couldn’t go wrong with either, if you like a longer feeling ski and ride on the aggressive side, I would suggest the ARV, if that doesn't sound like you, you’ll still enjoy the ARV.
Vs Reckoner KF 114
These skis are not very comparable to be honest, they are made for two completely different riding styles. The KF is super playful, and a lot of that playfulness lives in the tail. I would say the KF is a great choice if you want to ski the mountain like Karl himself, or Dylan Siggers the mountain jibber. While the ARV is freestyle, the KF is very freestyle, and what it lacks in stability on a steep chargy line, is made up in butters and presses. The ARV is a more balanced powder ski, the KF is specific to a certain style of riding.
Conclusion
I genuinely love this ski, and not just because I've got purple Cast on a purple ski. It matches my riding style perfectly and is what I look for in a powder ski. I would ski resort on it, I would ski BC on it, I would tour with it, I’d cat or heli-ski with it.
But it is not an everyday quiver ski, it’s for the good days, on the average day it wouldn't be my first choice, but you better believe if there's enough fresh snow on the ground, I’ll be skipping and hopping to pick these for the day.
If you’re midwest, in the rockies, in the interior, or on the coast, this would be a great addition to your line up. It has a great mix of charging and turning with a freestyle personality that truly make it tone of my favourite skis.
