When people are saying "rip all mountain" they mean for a park ski(AR7, T-hall, Or Halo) not a ski like the JJ, Obsethed, or 2012. The alpha 1 is actually surprising good at all mountain. they are stiff compared to other park skis, and the rocker and elf shoe makes them much better in tight trees, bumps, and a little bit of pow. Lets not makes them out to be the best all mountain ski but they are the best armada park ski for all mountain. I have mine mounted at true center, and I dont have a problem, but I would suggest -2.5 because they will still be fine for park. You dont need to have your skis mounted true center for you to be able to ski park. The short turning radius is not ideal for all aspects of all mountain, but it helps more than it hurts. If you are having problems with skiing all mountain with Alpha 1's it's not the ski. If you read this thread he is going to be skiing mainly park and he will be more than fine with them for all mountain. I currently have Alpha 1's, and sold my AR6s to get them. I have skied T-halls, Halos(when they were Alpha 2), and they both were to soft for all mountain, the T-halls tips and tails are to soft to hold up when charging. The AR7's are one of the best all mountain/park skis, and would get them again, if the Alpha 1 wasnt being made. Hope you enjoy the Alpha 1's because I know you will