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Description

The powder pack’s alpha male.

Armada’s JJ Ski has made a name for itself as a true leader of the powder pack. This ski has been doped up for powder, but it’s also stacked with features that enable it to gobble down crud and hardpack. If you want a ski that will put a smile on your face day in and day out regardless of the conditions, you just found it.

  • Armada’s EST Freeride Rocker features the perfect blend of rocker and positive underfoot camber, so you float when the flakes fall and carve the hardpack like an ice sculptor
  • The Hybrid Ultralight Core is made from lightweight wood with an exceptionally high strength-to-weight ratio, giving you the performance you demand without the extra weight
  • Carbon and Kevlar® stringers in the tail extend the life and fun level of this ski, once you pop you just can’t stop
  • The AR50 Sidewall sports a cap construction in the tip and tail with a classic sidewall underfoot, providing the perfect blend of performance, durability, and low swing weight
  • Armada’s special Laminate Matrix utilizes directional fiberglass layering to dictate torsional rigidity and flex pattern, ensuring you will be the boss of your skis at high speeds
  • With a 136mm front contact point and 115mm waist, this kid is beyond husky
  • The 1.7 Impact Edge does its part to keep things light and is heat-treated for super strength and durability
  • 50/50 Base technology was designed for skiers who want everything in one package, both speed and durability give this base its bite

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Here's what others have to say...

can you suggest bindings for this ski? My...

valentin

Member since 
Posted on

can you suggest bindings for this ski? My weight is 100 kg, advanced skier

Peska

Member since 
Responded on

I am about your weight, little lighter, 205lb and I have the Salomon STH 14 on them. They are currently sold out here at backcountry, you can upgrade to the 16's or get the Atomic FFG 14 team binding, identical binding to the STH 14, different colors.

Binding Recomendation.
Picking up my...

wro2465489

Member since 
Posted on

Binding Recomendation.
Picking up my second pair of JJs. The last 3 years have been heaven. Resort skiing, mostly back bowls, very aggressive. 6'4", 190lbs. Currently have Marker Griffins. What is the best set up for the 115 waist on the 185?

Thanks!

wro2465489

Member since 
Responded on

Thanks Robb. Ordered the 14 Din version (in Rossi format). Great ski!

Robb

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Responded on

Nice setup. I wasn't worried about the DIN being 12 on the Looks. I am trying to save my knees! Enjoy the skis, I know I do.

5 5

Robb

Member since 
  • Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer

I demoed about 10 different skis this winter, in all conditions. I kept going back to the JJ. It is at home in the powder, but handles everything you can throw at it with ease. I mounted at factory recommended and would highly recommend you do the same. I am 6' 210 lbs. I went with the 185 as I didn't want the 195 AK JJ. I do not regret my decision to go with 185. I like the nimbleness of the 185 vs 195.
Buy these skis. you will not be disappointed.

wro2465489

Member since 
Responded on

I just got a new pair of JJ's after three great years on my first pair. 6'4" and 190 lbs. I went with the 185 again over the 195. I haven't needed the extra 10cm the past few years. Perhaps as importantly, they wouldn't fit in my roof box. :)

5 5

Shawn

Member since 
  • Familiarity: I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

I rented these this year on a day with 9" of fresh, light pow! . The handled smooth and beautiful in the untracked snow. Even as the day went on and everything got tracked out, they were still great and playful. These skis are fairly stiff (7 out of 10) and hold an edge on hard pack good. With such a short turning radius, you can ski tight trees to small chutes. The 115mm underfoot would make this perfect for a one ski quiver. I would recommend these skis to anyone who skis it all.

Hi, im 20 years old im 5" 7 and 147 lbs i...

Martin

Member since 
Posted on

Hi, im 20 years old im 5" 7 and 147 lbs i have the kung fujas 2012. And dont know if its up for the challenge when i comes to the deeper days. So if anyone have tried in deep snow, let me know.
So i have three skis in mind.
The pettitor, cause i heard awesome thing about them and sean rides them so there most be something about them.
And then the armada JJs also cause i have heard lots of good things about them and its a popular ski.
And then theres Line MR Opus which is also a great cause they havn`t change in 2 years or something like that and people talks great about it.

But Dont know what to choose, im not new to skiing but i im new at going so much into my gear cause i think its important these days when there are so much to choose between. So here is it im going to france next year for the season. And i like to play around the pow cliff drops building kickers and just around have a blast. But also like to charge hard in the pow sometimes and take a jump throw park and buttering a little bit arond when the days calls to an end. So a really good ski in pow but also a ski who will do on some drops things like that. And any other skis would love to here about.

Martin

Member since 
Responded on

Actually i need a ski like the Kung fujas just maybe a little bit soft in tip and tail and go better in deep pow. And what length should i go after?

Matt Stark

Member since 
Best Answer Responded on

Id go with Mr. Pollards Opus in 178. If you want more stability at high speeds, go with the 185. You can't go wrong with the Opus and if you are leaning towards something to ski as your every day pow ski, the Opus kills it on everything. The Opus can handle everything you described and is its an awesome plank to play around on all over the mountain. Check out what Blister had to say in their review. Good luck in your search.
http://blistergearreview.com/gear-reviews/2012-2013-line-mr-pollards-opus

Martin

Member since 
Responded on

Thanks. Sounds pretty awesome ski something for me. Thing when i get to france i demo one 178 length and 185 to compare.
And what binding would u recommend? im thinking marker griffon schizo?

Matt Stark

Member since 
Responded on

The Schizo doesn't have a big enough brake for the Opus. You would have to buy a bigger brake from marker to get it to fit and you might have to bend it. The Griffon would be fine but if you huck big cliffs go with the Jester unless you plan on doing some slack country or a little bit of touring, then go with the Marker Barons or Dukes. Just depends on your level of abuse youll put on them. Here are the reviews for those:
http://www.backcountry.com/marker-jester-ski-binding
http://www.backcountry.com/marker-baron-ski-bindings
http://www.backcountry.com/marker-duke-ski-binding
Can't go wrong with any of them.

Mounting? I have the Salomon STH 14 Driver...

Peska

Member since 
Posted on

Mounting? I have the Salomon STH 14 Driver and 185's, spend most of my time in the trees but charge a trail or two during the day. I will be dabbling in the switch game, but not dependent on it. I was thinking -6 instead of the recommended -5 because after reading reviews I hear it can get a little squirely at high speeds. Any suggestions? 5'10, 205lb, aggressive. Thanks!

anthonycronce

Member since 
Responded on

I'd go recommended. I am about your size (5'10"/190). I was thinking about mounting my 185 JJs a cm or two forward because my Alpha1s are mounted forward and have the same shape but a 176. After I got on them at recommended due to speaking with an Armada rep, I was in love...the versatility from groomer to powder is pretty unreal.

Matt Stark

Member since 
Responded on

I'd go with recommended, too. I have demo bindings on my 185s and I've played around with a mount further back. The further back mount didn't help much because the occasional loose feeling at high speeds I was getting was coming from the tail rocker not my mounting point. The recommended line helps me kill it more in the trees and defiantly makes switch effortless.

I am in the process of picking up some...

Peska

Member since 
Posted on

I am in the process of picking up some 185s and I am checking out bindings and I am thinking the Salomon STH 14 Driver Ski Binding. They seem reasonably priced and from the reviews they seem like they will do the trick. I am 5'10, 205lb,aggressive skier, and will be doing mostly resort skiing but do make it into the BC every once and a while. Am I right in thinking these bindings will do the trick or should I be looking at a different set up? Thanks!

Mark Parrett

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Best Answer Responded on

You are right - the STH 14 Driver is great for most anything. Obviously not the right choice if you're hiking for turns in the Backcountry, but for resort use or the occasional bootpack (they are super light!), I love them.

Live in MA and mostly ski Vermont and...

drsp441118

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Posted on

Live in MA and mostly ski Vermont and Maine. Looking for a ski that I could take out West on occasion and still ski the typical East Coast, mostly groomed terrain. Is JJ appropriate. Also the proper binding for advanced intermediate who skis some black and likes to ski fast.

Mark Parrett

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Responded on

Another good suggestion, Matt.

Mark Parrett

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Best Answer Responded on

I would call the JJ a dedicated Pow ski for out west. People love how it performs on groomers (and they are right for a ski with these dimensions), but if I were going to be spending most of my time on the East Coast I'd look for a ski that shines there and still performs well out west. To me, that would be a less "fun-shape" pow ski and something more like the Volkl Mantra or 4FRNT Turbo. If you want something between the JJ and the straighter skis I just mentioned, check out the Rossignol S3, which splits the difference nicely.

The JJ is just going to underwhelm you if you like to lay trenches in groomers compared to all of the skis I mentioned. Here's the links:

http://www.backcountry.com/rossignol-s6-koopman-alpine-ski

http://www.backcountry.com/volkl-mantra-alpine-ski

http://www.backcountry.com/4frnt-skis-vct-turbo-ski

Matt Stark

Member since 
Responded on

I agree that the JJ is major overkill if the majority of your skiing is on hardpack. If you want to rail groomers and still have fun on the fresh days, get the TST from Armada. My favorite ski for holding an awesome edge on the hard and still having great flotation on the pow days. The TST is 103 underfoot which is by no means fat but it has the same shovel as the JJ and has early rise rocker for good flotation. You seriously can't go wrong with the TST!

4 5

Josh Raggon

Member since 
  • Gender: Male
  • Familiarity: I've used it several times

I wanted something with more camber than the 11-12 Obsethed for hardpack and groomers and so far this is doing the trick. I don't like the types of skis that are actually meant for hardpack and groomers so this is about as close as I could find to getting a ski that performs well on firm snow as well as anything soft or soft and chopped up. I haven't had them in powder yet but I guess they'll do. I'm so used to the huge rocker of the Obsethed that it's hard for me to understand how something with so much camber could also perform well in powder with not as much rocker. The only reson I'm not giving it 5 stars is that it should be made in a 189. I'm only 5'11 so I didn't want to get the AK (195) because I thought it would be just too much ski and not really the size I would want for an all-mountain, non-powder ski on which I'd have to be making a lot more turns. That's a huge jump between sizes (10cm). So all in all after 3 days of mainly hardpack and a little bit of soft, chalky snow left over from a 4 day previous storm the JJs are turning out to be a great, stable, quick turning, edge holding, and hopefully versatile ski.

Thanks Mark for your reply. I was interested...

bigp456869

Member since 
Posted on

Thanks Mark for your reply. I was interested in the S7 or possibly the Super 7, however, I assumed @ 275lbs I would overpower the ski. The other ski I was interested in was the Nordica Patron, the 185ish length still had a short radius. Really would like a short radus ski. If the AKjj's turn good in trees I guess the longer length would be ok, just have to buy a new ski bag mine will be too short:). I just want to make sure the ski I get will float me and help me turn as I am more proficient on ice than powder.

Thanks
Brian

Mark Parrett

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Brian, I think you're right that the S7 or the Super is going to have a squirrely tail for someone who likes to charge. I'm riding the Atomic Automatic this season and that is another option for you if you want a stiffer tail, short radius pow ski. The Patron gets great reviews - the only drawback I can think of is that the fatter tip (not tapered) can be hooky in weird snow. The 193 Patron would be pretty reasonable at your size and a touch shorter than the AK JJ (though in my opinion both are easy enough to turn in the trees). As is usually the case in life, you gotta pick what is most important and optimize for that - stability and float, or maneuverability. Let us know what you end up with!

WHAT BINDINGS SHOULD I BUY FOR ARMADA JJ...

DIMITRIS SIOUTIS

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Posted on

WHAT BINDINGS SHOULD I BUY FOR ARMADA JJ 185? I USE TO SKI 60% OUT OF PISTE. I AM 185 100 KGS FROM GREECE

Mark Parrett

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Hi Dimitris - many binding brands prohibit us from shipping their product outside of the US. Here are a couple of good binding options for the JJ that we are able to ship to Greece:

http://www.backcountry.com/atomic-ffg-12-ski-binding

http://www.backcountry.com/4frnt-skis-deadbolt-13-ski-binding

You will want a binding that fits at least 115mm at the waist, which both of these do. If you're looking for a really strong binding that can handle large airs on a regular basis, this is another good option:

http://www.backcountry.com/4frnt-skis-thunderbolt-ski-binding

DIMITRIS SIOUTIS

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Responded on

thanks a lot. you ve been very helpful

Jesse Mathey

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Responded on

Hey Dimitris! I like the Rossignol FKS 140 or 180. Super solid.

I see a lot of questions on weight and...

bigp456869

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Posted on

I see a lot of questions on weight and length. I am a lot bigger than the previous mentioned skiers at 6-5 and 275lbs. I am looking for something to take out west on ski trips but still play a little back in Minnesota. The JJ's sound nice as I want a rockered ski with a short radius. The Patrons look good but the jj's look like they might be more usefull at home. Out west I love trees. Are the 185cm JJ too short for me? Thanks.

Mark Parrett

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The 185 will keep you afloat in most conditions but I think its suitability will really depend on what kind of skiing you want to do. If you like to come out to Snowbird and mach down the cirque, you should really consider the 195 AK JJ with metal. Even the big JJ is really easy to turn in the trees due to the heavily rockered profile.

If you're open to skis that aren't the fun-shape that is popular in the JJ, Atomic Automatic, Rossignol S7, etc. - you might want to check out the Volkl Mantra, Blizzard Cochise, 4FRNT Turbo or Kastle BMX 108. Those are all fat enough to handle blower Utah powder and they all have rockered tips to keep you afloat, but unlike the fun-shaped skis, they will lay a trench in the groomers too.

Can anyone shed some light on the JJ's v....

Peska

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Posted on

Can anyone shed some light on the JJ's v. Atomic Automatics?

Wally Phillips

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Hey matp414610,

I can do that for sure. I find the JJ's to be one of the better do it all big mountain skis out there as I'm able to carve, slarve, jib and charge with the same amount of effort for each. The JJ's do like to keep the turns more towards the medium/short range and likes speed unless there is iced over chop involved. It definitely skied the best in a medium effort between intense and relaxed though a relaxed style works as well.

The Automatics I found interesting as it is a bit softer of a ski with less tail rocker and a bit longer turn affinity. It is also a very easy ski, which requires a very relaxed style to ski and it seems to fight back if you try to get intense with it. Float and swing weight are about the same as the JJs depending on the size, but I do find that the Automatics do have a bit of a better landing platform.

I am looking for a pow tree skii. I currently...

Fred

Member since 
Posted on

I am looking for a pow tree skii. I currently of the 2011/2012 Volkl Kuro in a 185 that has amazing float but in my opinion is meant for the huge 2' and above days. I can push them through the trees but am looking for something with some pop or rocker/camber/rocker profile. Any sugestions are welcome.

halftopp

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Responded on

RMU - apostle. Love them up here in Whistler for pretty much anything but really shine in tight trees ect.

Nick Meredith

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Best Answer Responded on

Fred

For powder and trees 185s JJs are fantastic. You float through powder but can still turn on dime - essential for any tree skier!

Matt Stark

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Responded on

The JJs were born for the trees. I ski trees 90% of the time and I've never had more fun in tight trees than with the JJ. Turns sharp and as hard as you want. Smears effortlessly.

2 5

krap415712

Member since 
  • Gender: Male
  • Familiarity: I've used it several times

I skied these skis for about a week straight and was let down by how unstable they felt, really squirrly at any aggresive speed. To soft for landing anything big, more of a tampered down olds man ski. If you wanna have fun on a ski that will actually float when it gets properly deep, this is not the ski for you. its to lazy and is always straying around making your life hell in the trees. Id invest in the bent chetler or rocker 2 22. For more of the big mountain, deep pow chargers that they are. I was let down by these skiis compared to pretty much any other ski on the market.

David

Member since 
Responded on

You were probably skiing them at the factory line (-5)... move them back to -6 or -7 and it makes the world of a difference. If you're a traditional/old school style skier (with your weight on the back of your skis) then this will give you a greater amount of control especially on groomers.

5 5

Cory Akin

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  • Gender: Male
  • Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer

There's really no need to go indepth with this review- the JJ's are amazing. I have Dynafits on mine and completely love the set up.
These will always get 5 star reviews until they make something better.

5 5

D. Joshua Christensen

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  • Gender: Male
  • Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer

Bottom Line: The Armada JJ is a really fun ski. It floats well at 115 underfoot, but with such early taper and rocker it has a really surfy feeling. It really can handle anything you toss at it. I highly recommend this ski to ANYONE who is looking at getting into rocker, who rides powder/crud atleast 70% of the time, or who wants a sick backcountry jib ski!

Pros: "If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up." Seriously, they are probably the best 1 ski quiver ski that I have ever handled (for Snowbird/Alta that is). They carve fine on groomers, better than the Armada ARG or even the S7. They float and surf awesome in deep pow, and they are stiff enough to handle crud without a problem. I don't know if it gets any better than this. They carve well enough on groomers, but it is definitely not a racing ski.

Cons: My only gripe is that the ski could be slightly longer. Skis with rocker feel slightly shorter than they really are. I have for a long time said that if they made this ski in a 190cm.. slightly fatter.. and stiffer. I'd buy it.. well they did.. its called the Magic J.. check them out!

~ 6'0, athletic 200#. Would the 185 be...

jbpaus

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Posted on

~ 6'0, athletic 200#. Would the 185 be enough length for me?

tmac 4718

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Responded on

I'm 6'1" and 175lbs 41 year old and been on 185jj for three years and love it except for the deep days. Skis very short! Can go over the tips on deep days. I bought an akjj this year for the bigger dumps and love it.

Has anyone toured with these skis? I just...

nwcp389691

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Posted on

Has anyone toured with these skis? I just demoed these for a cat skiing trip and loved them. I am curious how they work for the uphill and skin attachment. Any help is much appreciated. I am looking for an a ski with the feel of the JJs 85% touring and backcountry 15% resort any suggestions would be awsome.

Has anyone toured with these skis?  I just...
Hap Seliga

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Best Answer Responded on

I use these skis as my touring setup (w/Dynafit Vertical bindings), and occasionally bust them out at the resort because they're that good. I had concerns prior to doing so that they might be on the heavy side, but that's been an absolute non-factor -- they're fine. I don't think about it at all. With regard to skins, I'm using the G3, and have all the traction I need. The only detail I'd call out that kick turns a touch more difficult with a twin tip ski. Not a barrier for sure (for me), but just thought I'd call out that detail for your decision making process. In short, I'm super stoked with the skis -- I whole heartedly recommend them for resort or touring.

Cory Akin

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I'm mostly going to echo what Hap has said- I have these mounted with Dynafit Vertical STs, wearing Dynafit Titan Ultralights, and love them.
I have found this to be an incredibly light set up. Most people who pick up my boards comment how light they feel. But more importantly, it's an absolutely amazing ski. I ski 60/40 backcountry/ resort (I only use these out of bounds), so if I'm hiking that often, I want something which is a good ski for the deepest days out there, given that Utah generally has soft snow.
As Hap mentioned, kick turns are a bit more difficult, although not a deal breaker. Mine are mounted on the factory line (-5cm), and even with that, it feels like I need to push my lead foot out a little further up the track than usual to keep from stepping on the trailing ski. Not a big deal, though, as I usually only notice this on deep, steep kick turns.
The tail clip CAN slide off given its a twin tip. It's really dependent on whether or not you catch it on something while skinning, such as a tree branch, or your ski when making a kick turn. I've honestly not found it to be a nuisance. If anything, it's just a reason to grab some water and snack.
I absolutely recommend these for touring. Best ski I've ever ridden

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