Very Different

By Troy Ranked #42 - Alpine Park and Pipe Skis February 23, 2009

At 37 years old and been skiing since I was 3 I'm all for new technology, but these weren't quite what I expected. I demoed a 176 and a 182cm in them today on firm to icy groomers and a little bit of chunky crud and moguls. It took me awhile to get used to the short feel and odd turn shape. Had trouble getting edges set enough to bite into the snow and the tail felt stiffer than I expected. Butters on ice is a very good way of explaining them, that is what they felt like they wanted to do unless you really concentrated on your stance. Once I got them figured out they cranked off good slalom like turns but didn't want to carve other turn shapes very well. In bumps they definitely felt very swively with slippery tips and tails, bumps were very big and firm though. Easy to ski on the chunky firm crud but nothing to exciting. After half a day goofing around on the two sizes I was very glad to get back on my Mantra's and rip everywhere. I guess I still prefer a more normal and powerful ski for my groomers and as an all around ski. Will play with them again tomorrow but not too thrilled as of today. No park skiing here, just playing with new shapes.

View Details: Armada Alpha 1 Ski

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