Armada ARV 116 vs Salomon QST Blank?

[jovantang]

What I want out of my next ski and my riding style:

- Freeride/pow, cliff drops, slashing pow, pillow lines, 360s

- West coast snow (Whistler, Vancouver area)

I have discount off these 2 brands and atomic (so maybe even bent chetlers but probably no other brands). I know that there's a lot of armada fan boys but please give me insight.

Me: 5'9 and 165lbs

Which one would you choose and why?

 

[Non_State_Actor]

I don't understand the interest in the QST blank that's popped up around here lately? It looks like a pretty boring directional dad ski with a mount point of -9cm. If you want a directional free-ride ski from either of those three companies the declivity 108ti or X look more compelling to me. Otherwise I think the ARV 116 or Bent 110 look a lot more fun.

 

[jovantang]

I don't understand the interest in the QST blank that's popped up around here lately? It looks like a pretty boring directional dad ski with a mount point of -9cm. If you want a directional free-ride ski from either of those three companies the declivity 108ti or X look more compelling to me. Otherwise I think the ARV 116 or Bent 110 look a lot more fun.

I think it’s just me posting about the blank over and over again LOL

 

[BingPow]

I don't understand the interest in the QST blank that's popped up around here lately? It looks like a pretty boring directional dad ski with a mount point of -9cm. If you want a directional free-ride ski from either of those three companies the declivity 108ti or X look more compelling to me. Otherwise I think the ARV 116 or Bent 110 look a lot more fun.

I think it’s just me posting about the blank over and over again LOL

I agree with the [tag=254204]@mystery3[/tag] take, but if you are interested enough to keep posting about it sounds like you should just get it, the ski definitely performs insanely, the blank collective guys come to mind

 

[johnblaze]

Whitewalker.

 

[skidemon22]

What I want out of my next ski and my riding style:

- Freeride/pow, cliff drops, slashing pow, pillow lines, 360s

- West coast snow (Whistler, Vancouver area)

I have discount off these 2 brands and atomic (so maybe even bent chetlers but probably no other brands). I know that there's a lot of armada fan boys but please give me insight.

Me: 5'9 and 165lbs

Which one would you choose and why?

I have the blank, great ski, def recommend

 

[BigPurpleSkiSuit]

I recommend Blank because my friend skis them and loves them. He's a guy who's done plenty of freestyle and is also a big heavy charger dude. Heard the ARV 116 is fairly soft which is not my style typically

 

[skiP.E.I.]

The ARV 116 is pretty soft in the tips and tails but can still go fast and big. They float really well in every kind of soft snow. They have the feel of a very wide park ski that works great in powder. They carve nicely on soft groomed too, but the tips and tails start to flap a bit at higher speeds. They aren't great on marginal (icy, wind compacted, hard bumps etc.) ungroomed snow.

 

[IsaacNW82]

These skis aren't comparable IMO. ARV116 is a more symmetrical shape, QST Blank is very directional. Do you plan on going backwards at all?

 

[alpha.moose]

If you aren't planning on spinning more (or less) than 360 I honestly think the QST Blank might be the move. A lot of Solomon athletes mount them +2 from recommended to give them a more balanced feel in the air. I think their are a lot better options pow twin chargers than the JJ116. I also think the Whitewalker is sick, but the added weight of the Blank will make inbounds chop a lot more fun unless you know you like lighter skis.