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abjectwoe
May, 2025

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Touring on ARV 96

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twinkle_toes
Posts: 815 - Karma: 9,725
I've got a pair of Armada JJ 116 Ultralights w/ kingpins for next season. These will be great for pow days in the bc.

I'm also looking to setup a second pair of narrower/slightly stiffer skis, that will handle better on crusty, steep skin tracks at lower elevations, where you really need to hold a strong edge to stand your ground.

I'm thinking between 96-106 range. I rode 102s this year and found them to be a perfect sweet spot for float/edge control.
I did a few days on the 116s in the spring, and already noticed some knee pain trying to skin in marginal conditions. I never had knee pain with the 102s



Has anyone toured on the Armada ARV 96? Pros and cons?

Armada is also coming out with a 106 UL, which is 1625g. The 96 is only 25g more. The difference is price - the 96's will definitely be cheaper. Is it worth it to spring for the 106?

Or if you have any other recommendations for a twin tip BC ski? Also might be worth mentioning that my BC setup is ~165cm, and a lot of skis don't come in that length which reduces my options.

Also curious if anyone has compared the cast toe system to the kingpins and which ones they prefer?

TIA :-)
4 years ago
4 0
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CT_CREW
Posts: 675 - Karma: 3,566
102 is a nice all condition ski for me... have never used cast, but kingpin works well for me. cast seemed like too much trouble switching over for me, unless you are trying to hit BC Jumps and lines with serious impacts then cast probably makes sense. if you just trying to ski pow, and take lighter airs/ jibs along there way then kingpin.
4 years ago
2 0
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twinkle_toes
Posts: 815 - Karma: 9,725
CT_CREW102 is a nice all condition ski for me... have never used cast, but kingpin works well for me. cast seemed like too much trouble switching over for me, unless you are trying to hit BC Jumps and lines with serious impacts then cast probably makes sense. if you just trying to ski pow, and take lighter airs/ jibs along there way then kingpin.


what skis are you riding?
4 years ago
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animator
Posts: 4576 - Karma: 26,429
106 UL won’t be out next season unless they’re keeping it hush hush from their dealers… I talked to my rep and it’s not in the catalog or the purchase orders so it may not be next season just FYI
4 years ago
5 0
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Jems
Posts: 7749 - Karma: 101,338
are kingpins a traditional binding that turns into pins or is it straight up pins?
4 years ago
1 0
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migidimigi
Posts: 456 - Karma: 3,297
animator106 UL won’t be out next season unless they’re keeping it hush hush from their dealers… I talked to my rep and it’s not in the catalog or the purchase orders so it may not be next season just FYI

Damn, I was really looking forward to those. I loved the original arv106 so having lighter and softer version of that sounded like the best ski in whole Armada lineup. Gotta keep waiting til the next year i guess
4 years ago
1 0
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CT_CREW
Posts: 675 - Karma: 3,566
Jemsare kingpins a traditional binding that turns into pins or is it straight up pins?


they are tech(pin)bindings made by Marker, but the heel piece features a traditional style heel piece instead of heel pins
4 years ago
1 0
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twinkle_toes
Posts: 815 - Karma: 9,725
migidimigiDamn, I was really looking forward to those. I loved the original arv106 so having lighter and softer version of that sounded like the best ski in whole Armada lineup. Gotta keep waiting til the next year i guess


I emailed my local ski shop and they said they're getting it in for next season, for $799 + tax

But that's the ARW, not sure about the ARV :)

Might be worth reaching out to get answers from different shops

**This post was edited on Jun 22nd 2021 at 1:47:49pm
4 years ago
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TRVP_ANGEL
Posts: 12707 - Karma: 120,073
i heard xcountry skis have that UL core too
4 years ago
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