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Ski Opinions

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eastsideride
Posts: 18 - Karma: 35
Hey everyone,

I'm looking to buy a new pair of skis and I wanted your thoughts on the Armada ARV 96, Armada ARV 86, or the J Skis The Metal. I have been thinking about the Armada skis for a while but recently started looking into the J Skis lineup. I'm trying to get the best bang for my buck.

Currently I am riding icy groomers and occasional pow. I do a mix of park as well as I would like to learn how to do jumps with style and gain the ability to hit a rail. I ski mostly here in PA but will be taking trips to NY for Gore Mtn and Holiday Valley, and WV for Snowshoe. I heard numerous great reviews on the ARVs but wanted to know NewSchoolers thoughts. I was looking at the two ARV models as they have a fair difference in price and unsure if its worth it. But I also wanted to hear about the J Skis too, they look very well made, but they hit a hefty price. I don't care about the graphics on either ski though, just on their performance. If I cared about looks, I wouldnt still be riding my Kastle XX90 James..... LOL! They are beat to shit and will now be the dedicated rough-day ski or beat up park ski.

I'm about 5'11" and 184lbs. I was thinking of a 177cm for the ARV or a 180cm for the J Ski The Metal.

Can't wait to hear your thoughts! Thanks!

**This thread was edited on Jan 2nd 2018 at 11:17:35pm
Jan 2 2018 11:14PM
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Jisei
Posts: 21 - Karma: 56
For icy groomers and park a 86-96 waist makes more sense in my opinion. The metals are bit more pow oriented as far as i know.
Jan 3 2018 1:52AM
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Cade2
Posts: 2124 - Karma: 2,704
I'd get a longer length then 177, I'm not sure if the next size is a 184 or not but I'd get that instead
Jan 3 2018 3:01AM
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eastsideride
Posts: 18 - Karma: 35
Good advice fellas! Curious though, what's the advantage of a longer ski for this style of skiing? More stability?
Jan 3 2018 1:11PM
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aNIGma
Posts: 80 - Karma: 585
eastsiderideGood advice fellas! Curious though, what's the advantage of a longer ski for this style of skiing? More stability?


Yea a little more stable, you get a bit more edge and less likely to wash out if you don't stomp your landing
Jan 3 2018 2:13PM
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eastsideride
Posts: 18 - Karma: 35
aNIGmaYea a little more stable, you get a bit more edge and less likely to wash out if you don't stomp your landing


Good to know! I could definitely benefit from that!
Jan 3 2018 3:33PM
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Cade2
Posts: 2124 - Karma: 2,704
eastsiderideGood advice fellas! Curious though, what's the advantage of a longer ski for this style of skiing? More stability?

Everything
Jan 3 2018 5:18PM
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Greg_K
Posts: 947 - Karma: 2,718
Agree on the 184cm length on the ARV series with your size. I have the ARV86 in the 184cm size for my bump/park ski and I'm a bit taller but a bit lighter than you and it's perfect.

As far as what model, the Arv 96 is not only wider, it's a touch stiffer and will provide better performance in softer snow but still carve a good edge on icy Holiday Valley snow. The ARV 86 will be quicker edge to edge and a bit lighter but their isn't a huge difference between the two in weight honestly and you could use either in the park. The both have excellent swing weight as their tips are nice and light. The ARV96 just gives a bit more "all mountain" performance in case you do get into some powder days. I'd lean towards the AVR96 as it's performance benefits all over the hill will override any disadvantage. I already have 2 paris of 95mm underfoot skis otherwise I would have bought the AVR96 myself. I use the 95mm underfoot for my daily driver in similar conditions to yours.
Only about $100 more for the ARV96 which is a great deal at $499. The hard part will be trying to get either in the 184cm size as they very popular but I think EVO still has some.

The J Skis Metal is a 106mm underfoot ski that is geared towards deeper snow and the Allplay at 98mm underfoot would be the more proper comparison to the ARV96. The Allplay is a great ski as well but the ARV96 offers similar or better performance for $100 less, so it's a better deal in my opinion.
Jan 4 2018 10:40AM
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eastsideride
Posts: 18 - Karma: 35
Greg_KAgree on the 184cm length on the ARV series with your size. I have the ARV86 in the 184cm size for my bump/park ski and I'm a bit taller but a bit lighter than you and it's perfect.

As far as what model, the Arv 96 is not only wider, it's a touch stiffer and will provide better performance in softer snow but still carve a good edge on icy Holiday Valley snow. The ARV 86 will be quicker edge to edge and a bit lighter but their isn't a huge difference between the two in weight honestly and you could use either in the park. The both have excellent swing weight as their tips are nice and light. The ARV96 just gives a bit more "all mountain" performance in case you do get into some powder days. I'd lean towards the AVR96 as it's performance benefits all over the hill will override any disadvantage. I already have 2 paris of 95mm underfoot skis otherwise I would have bought the AVR96 myself. I use the 95mm underfoot for my daily driver in similar conditions to yours.
Only about $100 more for the ARV96 which is a great deal at $499. The hard part will be trying to get either in the 184cm size as they very popular but I think EVO still has some.

The J Skis Metal is a 106mm underfoot ski that is geared towards deeper snow and the Allplay at 98mm underfoot would be the more proper comparison to the ARV96. The Allplay is a great ski as well but the ARV96 offers similar or better performance for $100 less, so it's a better deal in my opinion.

Excellent write up my friend! I appreciate the insight into the skis. I'm really leaning towards the ARV96 now. I have to order through Armada to obtain the better deal unfortunately unless EVO wants to match it lol. But I could order the Armanda Zero Al Dante which is a width like the ARV. Also has the 2.5 sides which are nice and strong!
Jan 5 2018 12:51AM
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Greg_K
Posts: 947 - Karma: 2,718
The El Dente Zero is a ski with very soft nose, just a bit of tip rocker(no tail rocker), 2.2 edges rather than the beefier 2.5 edges of the ARV96 so it’s a very different ski than the ARV96. I think for the “all mountain/park” use on the conditions you face, the ARV96 is still the better over all choice. The El Dente Zero is more “buttery” while the ARV would be better on harder snow and at speed with it’s more even flex.

Thought Armada was sold out of the ARV 96 at the factory so you might be getting the 2019 model as some others have gotten. Same ski, just different graphics I think.
Jan 5 2018 9:04AM
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eastsideride
Posts: 18 - Karma: 35
Greg_KThe El Dente Zero is a ski with very soft nose, just a bit of tip rocker(no tail rocker), 2.2 edges rather than the beefier 2.5 edges of the ARV96 so it’s a very different ski than the ARV96. I think for the “all mountain/park” use on the conditions you face, the ARV96 is still the better over all choice. The El Dente Zero is more “buttery” while the ARV would be better on harder snow and at speed with it’s more even flex.

Thought Armada was sold out of the ARV 96 at the factory so you might be getting the 2019 model as some others have gotten. Same ski, just different graphics I think.


Ah good to know! It appears that the ARV96 is sold out through the buying method I have with Armada. I spoke with one of their reps and he said I wouldn't get the 96 this season unfortunately.
Jan 5 2018 10:55AM
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Greg_K
Posts: 947 - Karma: 2,718
Evo it is then! Knew they were a popular ski.
Jan 5 2018 11:10AM
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