Member of the Month

KilaTsunami
October, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Line Chronic or Armada AR6 (+++karma)

profile picture
matt3568
Posts: 451 - Karma: 19
Alright so I'm looking to buy my first pair of park skis for this season and I've narrowed it down to these two models. I'm 17, 6' and 165lbs. I've been skiing groomers and a little park for 11 years and I'm looking for something new to do on the mountain.

I want something that will be easy to learn on in the park, but can also handle groomers well, seeing as my friends and family don't ski park that often. I heard that the Chronics are a little stiffer than the AR6 and I think I want something pretty soft for butters and presses, but not too soft. I love the graphics on the Chronics but the guy at my local shop reckons that this years Armada will be a lot more durable.

Also a lengths question - 176 or 181?

If you have any other suggestions fire away, price isn't an issue, and +karma to people who give good advice...

Thanks
Aug 24 2008 12:04PM
0 0
profile picture
huckforjesus
Posts: 180 - Karma: 12
Hey man i'd go with the ar6, i'm your same build and i had a pair of ar6's last season, they held up really well and rip down grooms, so dope.
Aug 24 2008 12:16PM
0 0
profile picture
miroz
Posts: 10333 - Karma: 3,945

Finally, a thread that gives good information about the person.  This was really well made, and people should take this as an example.

You seem like you're a pretty advanced skier, and you're a decent sized guy, so I'm pretty sure you could handle the 181.  I'm not gonna lie though, I've been stuck on 171s for three years and I'm about 6 feet and 175 lbs or so, and they are 1) easy to flex, and 2) easy to spin.  You might have an easier time with the 176 if you're just starting out.  Less ski to worry about on rails and in the air. 

As for the ski itself, you sound like you want a medium-soft park ski that can handle all mountain, and the AR6 sounds like it'd be fine.  They are a bit softer than the Chronics too, which would meet your buttering/jib needs, and they should be fine all over then moutain.  I'd say go with the AR6...

Aug 24 2008 12:17PM
0 0
profile picture
jdec45
Posts: 180 - Karma: 10

I agree with Blondie, get the 176 Ar6 I think they would suit you for what you want to do with them.

Aug 24 2008 12:42PM
0 0
profile picture
jdec45
Posts: 180 - Karma: 10
Then again you are 6 foot 165 so yo ucan get 181's they with be a little more stable on groomers. Its your call man.
Aug 24 2008 12:44PM
0 0
profile picture
Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
ar6 I love mine. im 6'2" 145 and I have 181s mounted center. they were my only non race ski this past year and they killed it everywhere. park/groomers/pow
Aug 24 2008 12:46PM
0 0
profile picture
alexmorton
Posts: 160 - Karma: 11

Size wise, I'd get the 176 if it is going to predominantly be a park ski and 181 for an all mountain stick.

Aug 24 2008 12:59PM
0 0
profile picture
matt3568
Posts: 451 - Karma: 19
Thanks for all the replies, think it'll probably be the AR6 in a 176.

Anyone know how lightweight they are? I'm hoping they are pretty light because that should make it easier to learn stuff.

Onto bindings, Look PX12 Jib Ti or Marker Griffon? The guy at my local shop reckons Marker are awful because they release when you don't want them to and don't release when you need them to, but I wanna hear your opinions on them.

More karma up for grabs, thanks
Aug 24 2008 4:09PM
0 0
profile picture
pmw
Posts: 5760 - Karma: 831
ar6
Aug 24 2008 4:31PM
0 0
profile picture
SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
Look bindings hands-down.

I'm 6'0 and I used to ski 176 cm skis and currently have 178cm park skis (Invaders) and 185cm all-mountain skis (Scratch BC). I personally would encourage you to go with the 181cm length. It will ski better for you on the groomers, and the length won't be really noticable in the park. They will be more stable on landings too, especially switch.

Just my opinion.
Aug 24 2008 4:38PM
0 0
profile picture
SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
Oh, and I suggest the AR6 for a park ski for you if you want something with a middle of the road flex. From what I can recall, the Chronics are on the stiffer side. The AR6 is not a noodle, but it is not as stiff as the chronic.

Again though, you may want the stiffer ski if you go shorter.

I'd personally go with the...

AR6 in 181
or the
Chronic in 176
Aug 24 2008 4:41PM
0 0
profile picture
JamesR
Posts: 3396 - Karma: -12

In past years they have been fairly light and this year they are supposed to be even lighter with a new core. And you will love them. Ar6's are a solid ski.

Aug 24 2008 4:47PM
0 0
profile picture
jdec45
Posts: 180 - Karma: 10
Between those two bindings I would go with the looks they have a good track record and are priced pretty good.
Aug 24 2008 4:53PM
0 0
profile picture
PC_Jibblet
Posts: 413 - Karma: 12
Not sure really how the ski performs besides that i kno that ar6 is good for buttering since there really is no side edge. However, my friend has them for this last season and his got shredded, the top layer just kept chipping off. IDK if this happened to anyone else
Aug 24 2008 6:01PM
0 0
profile picture
skithesprings
Posts: 9086 - Karma: 1,349
I could not put it any better than that
summed it up pretty damn well and i agree completly
Aug 24 2008 9:19PM
0 0
profile picture
phatso
Posts: 12 - Karma: 10

i think they're both really good bindings.  and i never had the problem of pre releasing on either one but the px is way heavy compared to the griffon.  anyways, don't worry about what shop guy said- he was probably refering to his experience with different marker models.   I have griffons mounted on my ar6 and the  set up is pretty light .and what little weight you do feel from the ar6 is concentrated underfoot . oh yea , i'm going to go with the consenses- ar6 176 and make sure you center mount - they ski really well at center.

Aug 25 2008 3:23AM
0 0
profile picture
BcPowderHunter
Posts: 275 - Karma: 13
AR6 181 FTW!

you will not be disappointed
Aug 25 2008 5:18AM
0 0
profile picture
BigMeech621
Posts: 1257 - Karma: 16
werd.
they are the most durable and made out of the toughest materials. i.e. titanium
there is too much plastic on markers
Aug 25 2008 12:09PM
0 0
profile picture
ice_mike
Posts: 249 - Karma: 23
well id get the ar6 or salomon suspects
Aug 25 2008 12:15PM
0 0
profile picture
Lemuel
Posts: 14489 - Karma: 10,640
porterstahoe.com has z12s for like $160 i think and thats a good binding. use the code bacon for another 15% off
Aug 25 2008 12:41PM
0 0
profile picture
cmb8964
Posts: 347 - Karma: 98
Id get the ar6 with the px12 bindings. im 5 10, 180 and i picked up a new pair of armadas last year. i went with the arv's which have been sick. i wanted a little stiffer ski than the ar6, which i tested and is great for butters and park. I put the look px 12 bindings on with them and they have performed perfectly up to date.
Aug 25 2008 12:50PM
0 0
profile picture
Style+eeze
Posts: 6901 - Karma: 551
176 AR6 would do really well for you

you could go up to the 181 if you are more experienced in the park

your call though

i love my ar6s
Aug 25 2008 1:03PM
0 0
profile picture
skiRay
Posts: 7558 - Karma: 926
181 ARsexys hands down. im 6' as well and ride 181 AR6s. they kill it everywhere and i mean that. i took them in the pipe, park, urbans, glades, pow, and moguls. i was not dissapointed 1 bit with them. and i mounted them center
Aug 25 2008 1:33PM
0 0
profile picture
backcountry479
Posts: 380 - Karma: 4
ar6s bro more well made ski then  the chronics i no ppl whove had problems with those
Aug 25 2008 3:55PM
0 0
profile picture
matt3568
Posts: 451 - Karma: 19

Alright thanks guys, +karma to all of you, I think I will probably get the 176 AR6 with Look bindings.

Mounted at centre or -2cm? I will be skiing 50% park 50% groomers

Thanks

Aug 27 2008 5:41PM
0 0
profile picture
matt3568
Posts: 451 - Karma: 19
bump
Aug 28 2008 5:12PM
0 0
profile picture
SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
I'd go -2. Center mounted skis that are not symmetrical do not ski anywhere near as good outside the park. Since use will be 50/50 park/all-mountain, I would strongly recommend a non-center mount.
Aug 29 2008 2:09PM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-5)