So yesterday I went to an Armada and line demo for work, and since i had never skied anything from either company, and weigh 205 I didn't quite know what to expect. So any ways here's a few notes from the day.
*all skis except for T-Hall skied on between 179 and 185cm.
Line Afterbang: the whole idea behind the skateboard style construction is killer, hopefully it will be as durable as they say it is. The ski itself was sloooooow, base is most def. not high quality, and either dosen't absorb wax very well, or had a shitty tune (although the edges seemed alright), or a little bit of both. That being said, it was a super fun ski, butters extremely easily, yet has a little substance underfoot, and has good pop. An off-trail ski it is not. For the price and for it's intended use, it is a pretty damn solid ski.
Line Chronic Cryptonite: Great all around ski. Holds a good edge on groomed and hard pack. At 92 in the waist it is a good all around ski for those who ski mainly on trial, but want the ability to float a little pow, and for would mainly recommend it for bigger guys, 170+ as it is a little stiff. The only gripe that I had is that the tips were pretty catchy in the 6 to 8in. of sunbaked chop that i put it through.
Line EP Pro: The conditions that I had to ski this in were less than Ideal, to say the least, yet I do like to be able to take my pow skis out and ski a decent amount of heavy sunbaked. That being said, this ski handled groomed OK, but when I got it in to that heavy chop, it deflected like CRAZY. I did find some areas with a little bit lighter snow (protected from the sun) and had fun there, although if you are one that likes speed through varied conditions this is not the ski for you. Recommend for smaller guys looking for a pure pow ski.
Line Blend: I was very happy with the performance of this ski (skied very similar to my 4frnt VCT's). Stable at speed, good edging, could pretty much charge through anything with very little deflection. Solid all around ski with good float, and even decent pop. Highly recommended for those who want a ski that does everything.
Line Mothership: If u like turning this is not the ski for u. Hard chargers only, floats well, smashes anything, good edging at super speeds, just a little to stiff for my tastes, and for me that is saying alot.
Line Prophet 90, 100: I know this dosen't really apply to this site, being fairly directional and all, but here it is. Didn't have time to take out the 130's as we will probably not carry them next year. Both solid skis, did everything fairly well, and was not able to see much difference in anything between these two skis, except for float. In my opinion would def go with the 100 for a little bit better performance off trail.
Now on to Armada
Armada AR6: kick ass ski, does everything on hard snow well. Lacks in the float department, but that is not what it was designed for. Super stable at speed, edged very well, and didn't deflect too much in the chunk snow, although it didn't float that well. Great ski for hard/groomed snow apps with good pop.
T-Hall: the shortest ski i was on at 176, yet it was still good at speed. What can I say about this ski, but solid park ski. In fact I think that pretty much sums it up.
ARV: good everywhere, yet another ski that reminded me alot of my VCT's. Super solid on groomed, and good everywhere else.
JJ: saving the best for last. Carves suprisingly well, but it is at home going fast. The faster u go the more stable it gets, super fast base. Handled heavy chop better than I expected, actually absolutely smashed it. Floats great. The most confidence inspiring ski that I have ever been on. Has above average pop as well. Pretty much the most fun u can have with ur pants on. Def getting a pair next year.
*all skis except for T-Hall skied on between 179 and 185cm.
Line Afterbang: the whole idea behind the skateboard style construction is killer, hopefully it will be as durable as they say it is. The ski itself was sloooooow, base is most def. not high quality, and either dosen't absorb wax very well, or had a shitty tune (although the edges seemed alright), or a little bit of both. That being said, it was a super fun ski, butters extremely easily, yet has a little substance underfoot, and has good pop. An off-trail ski it is not. For the price and for it's intended use, it is a pretty damn solid ski.
Line Chronic Cryptonite: Great all around ski. Holds a good edge on groomed and hard pack. At 92 in the waist it is a good all around ski for those who ski mainly on trial, but want the ability to float a little pow, and for would mainly recommend it for bigger guys, 170+ as it is a little stiff. The only gripe that I had is that the tips were pretty catchy in the 6 to 8in. of sunbaked chop that i put it through.
Line EP Pro: The conditions that I had to ski this in were less than Ideal, to say the least, yet I do like to be able to take my pow skis out and ski a decent amount of heavy sunbaked. That being said, this ski handled groomed OK, but when I got it in to that heavy chop, it deflected like CRAZY. I did find some areas with a little bit lighter snow (protected from the sun) and had fun there, although if you are one that likes speed through varied conditions this is not the ski for you. Recommend for smaller guys looking for a pure pow ski.
Line Blend: I was very happy with the performance of this ski (skied very similar to my 4frnt VCT's). Stable at speed, good edging, could pretty much charge through anything with very little deflection. Solid all around ski with good float, and even decent pop. Highly recommended for those who want a ski that does everything.
Line Mothership: If u like turning this is not the ski for u. Hard chargers only, floats well, smashes anything, good edging at super speeds, just a little to stiff for my tastes, and for me that is saying alot.
Line Prophet 90, 100: I know this dosen't really apply to this site, being fairly directional and all, but here it is. Didn't have time to take out the 130's as we will probably not carry them next year. Both solid skis, did everything fairly well, and was not able to see much difference in anything between these two skis, except for float. In my opinion would def go with the 100 for a little bit better performance off trail.
Now on to Armada
Armada AR6: kick ass ski, does everything on hard snow well. Lacks in the float department, but that is not what it was designed for. Super stable at speed, edged very well, and didn't deflect too much in the chunk snow, although it didn't float that well. Great ski for hard/groomed snow apps with good pop.
T-Hall: the shortest ski i was on at 176, yet it was still good at speed. What can I say about this ski, but solid park ski. In fact I think that pretty much sums it up.
ARV: good everywhere, yet another ski that reminded me alot of my VCT's. Super solid on groomed, and good everywhere else.
JJ: saving the best for last. Carves suprisingly well, but it is at home going fast. The faster u go the more stable it gets, super fast base. Handled heavy chop better than I expected, actually absolutely smashed it. Floats great. The most confidence inspiring ski that I have ever been on. Has above average pop as well. Pretty much the most fun u can have with ur pants on. Def getting a pair next year.
