How do Armada Ants compare to new rocker skis(EP/Hellbents)?

J

jsnow

Member
I'm thinking about getting a pair of the ANTs, but also some rocker skis like the EP or Hellbents, I ski a lot of powder in Col, I would say I'm a good skier, cliffs pillows all of that jazz. But to the point, how do the ants compare to rocker skis?
 
Personally I don't call the ANTs a pow ski, as a rockered ski would most certainly be. I have skiied many skis and if I were to ski only one more ski for the rest of my life, I would choose ANTs hands down. They are the best every-day all mountain ski I can think of, unless youre a park rat obviously. But like I said, they are stiff and thus can dive in pow especially lower angle stuff. Theyre a great ski just completely different breed from hellbents etc.
 
not really... the ANTs are made for big lines and going really fast. they certainly aren't nimble or a powder specific ski
 
ants=big mountain charging (stiff, not much sidecut)hellbents/eps=backcountry jibbing, pillows, deep snow (wide, soft, playful)
 
Those two skis are what make up my quiver. What comes to mind for me when switching between the two is the flexibility and the amount of strength it takes to ride the skis for non-powder skiing. I have really noticed that being able to throw the hellbents around when there is no powder takes a little extra effort but with that comes the flexibility the ski has compared to the ANT. They are fun to butter on and jib around the mountain with; the ANT sometimes suffers in that category. For powder it totally changes and the hellbents make it feel like you are surfing compared to the ANTS. Don't get me wrong, the ANTS are a great ski for charging big powder lines but compared to the hellbent there is no contest; plus landing switch in powder is much easier with the Bents. Both skis are good for different things, it all depends on what ya like.
 
yah man my brother got the ants. they are a long, stiff charging ski. If your looking to have a fun playful winter, get the hell bents. not ep, to flexxy, you still need to be able to charge a bit. so i think the hellbent would be perfect for u. i mean eps are still sweet, but hell bents would be way better for you.
 
I like how all the kids who have never ridden a pair of ANTs chime in.

I just bought a pair of the 08 ANTs yesterday and had the chance to ski them at Loveland today.

The skis rip on everything except bumps (not exactly designed for that). They float extremely well in powder and charge everything. If you want a ski that can do everything and float really well in powder then get the ANTs. Sorry I can't give you more info. I'm way too tired to write a good review but I'll post again tomorrow maybe with more of a review if you want.
 
the ANTs are designed for big mountain charging and steeps. but from personal experience i find them fucking amazing in trees and they can be incredibly agile. . I actually like the stiffer feel of the old ANTs. At the same time i am a bit heavier and taller so maybe they are probably easier to move around for me. But the ANTs are the best skis i have ever had. Ive never ridden on Hellbents, but i am sure they absolutely rip deep powder, but if you plan on pushing or driving your skis really hard on anything aside from deep pow, they probably wont compare to the ANTs.
 
ANTs are pretty damn stiff compared to the other skis mentioned. Definitely like to charge
 
they have a good amount of camber and when you combine that with its stiff tip and flex in general its not great for float at least compared to a pow specific ski

its more for variable conditions and charging 50 degree open faces, dropping 80 foot cliffs, straight lining tight chutes, and skiing at speed
 
Ok, so I've always heard that the ANT's are super stiff. But how stiff compared to other skis? I've skied the old JP vs. Julien (I know that they are going to be significantly stiffer than those) and a pair of Volkl Gotama's. Would you consider the ANT's stiffer than the Gotama's, softer, or about the same? Thanks.
 
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