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Armada Alpha 1's or Volkl Walls

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zackbukovich
Posts: 70 - Karma: 114
Lately, I have been trying to decide what skis i should get for this upcoming year since my trouble makers from last year are destroyed.  I have narrowed it down to two choices, the Alpha 1 and the Wall.  I have searchbarred both of the skis and i am kind of leaning towards the Alpha 1, But i still have a few questions.
Does the Alpha 1 take a while to get used to, or do you get used to it pretty quickly?
Are the Alpha 1's worth the $600, and will they last a year or two?
If I were to get the Alpha 1's would i want to mount them dead center?
Oh and by the way I am:
5'11
170lbs
Live on the west and ski about 75% park, and 25% Powder
I like rails a lot more than jumps but still hit jumps every run, so I want a ski that can do both very well.
And I am looking at the 09/10 Alpha 1's or the 08/09 Walls, I dont mind paying the extra 200 for the Alpha 1 if it is a really fun buttery ski and will last me a while. 
Thanks guys
 
Sep 29 2009 12:31AM
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BWalmer
Posts: 9141 - Karma: 12,883
Alpha 2's will be more durable and they are cheaper (but I think they weigh a little more), If you're gonna be in the powder I'd go with the Alphas cause the rocker will help. Sorry I don't have more info for you.
Sep 29 2009 12:42AM
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Ski.Ballet
Posts: 2860 - Karma: 200
There was a thread pretty recently with some really good info on the Alpha 1. If you search for it, you can probably find what you're looking for.
Sep 29 2009 12:48AM
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jsex
Posts: 66 - Karma: 13
i've had the past two generations of the walls, loved em, and i kind of fit your description for park skiing...i definitely hit more rails, but am generally hitting the jumps almost every lap too...i've loved the walls...

i got to demo the alpha 2's last year at keystone and thought they were a super fun ski, they definitely skied short, really quick to initiate the turns, but super quick edge to edge, and hands down the most fun i've ever had skiing switch...after two laps i was pretty stoked on the alpha 2's, however i didn't lap park at all, just cruising groomers with speed and airing natural roll overs and the such...

i went with walls, but i also got a deal for this season, however i think the alpha 2's were incredibly sweet, and if i'm not mistaken there is only a different in the base between the alpha 1 and alpha 2...i'd almost lean towards the armada's if you can get a better price...sorry for the novel, but it's just my 2 cents
Sep 29 2009 12:55AM
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zackbukovich
Posts: 70 - Karma: 114
Thanks for all of the help guys,
I am also leaning towards the Alpha 1 because i am kind of looking for something different and it defianlty is.  I want to be able to have a ski that i can play around with butters and just have fun on it.  But I dont want it to take away from my skiing at all.  Also, What is the difference between the Alpha 1 and Alpha 2?
Sep 29 2009 9:44PM
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TheBeardedOne
Posts: 2286 - Karma: 58
Alpha 1 is to the Pipecleaner as Alpha 2 is to the AR6
Sep 29 2009 9:52PM
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Chompo.
Posts: 4952 - Karma: 88
i have some walls and loved them for park. of course i live in Michigan so powder is extremely rare. but the held up well on rails and were great on jumps. great park ski!
Sep 29 2009 9:56PM
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Chaka
Posts: 424 - Karma: 79
alphas 2 are a little heavier but they have a more durable base that requires less attention, the alphas 1s are obviously lighter with a more needy base... both good skis
Sep 29 2009 9:57PM
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joshua
Posts: 5046 - Karma: 1,280
The alpha 1 is made for more of a "competitive" skier i think (not sure how else to put it.) Their base requires more maintenance and is less durable. The alpha 2 is made for your everyday park skier who needs a more durable less high maintenance ski. Just like the other guy said, think of the Alpha 1's as the same category as the pipecleaners and the Alpha 2 in the same as the AR6
Sep 29 2009 9:58PM
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abelG
Posts: 138 - Karma: 79
Ive posted this in a few threads since ive seen a lot of people ask the questions about the alpha ones!

I was stuck between these two skis as well, so i messaged the Armada directly and this is what i got :

Thank you for contacting us. It is true that the Alpha 1 base is not as
durable against rails and boxes as the base on the Alpha 2. The Alpha 1
base is the same one used on our Pipe Cleaner. Having said that, the Alpha
1 race base is durable, but it is only as durable as the time you put into
maintaining it. The Alpha 2 is built similar to the AR6 and T-Hall in that
it utilizes our Core 1 and the series 7 ptex base. This particular base is
quite possibly the most durable base on the market and it is very easy to
maintain.

As for the flex patterns between the A1 and A2, it really isn't a question
of which ski is stiffer - rather they have two different flex 'patterns.'
The A1 has a very uniform flex from tip to tail; this means that when flexed
it is even from the tip up through the tail. The A2 is actually a stiffer
ski under boot and slightly softer in the tip and tail (think butters, nose
presses, tail presses, etc.) I think if you are looking for a high
performance park specific ski with a unique shape, the Alpha 2 is going to
be your best bet.

Both the Alpha 1 and 2 can be center mounted; however, we often recommend
that skiers do not center mount. Unless a ski's sidecut is specifically
engineered for center mounting, it is best to mount a little behind true
center so that you can maximize more of the effective edge. Our factory
recommended mount point on both models is -2.5 from center. As I said you
can mount these skis anywhere from true center to -5cm of true center.

Hope this helps you guys. My alpha ones are incredible. Light, super fucking well built and they just look completely amazing. You can really tell the quality from just holding it compared to some other skis ive had.


good luck!
Sep 29 2009 10:04PM
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BWalmer
Posts: 9141 - Karma: 12,883
partly correct. The bases are different, The Alpha 1 has the sintered race base, it's much faster but requires more work and is less durable the the S7 base which is super durable. Also, the Alpha 1 has the AR core 2 which is lighter than the AR core 1 on the Alpha 2, which makes the Alpha 1 lighter than the Alpha 2. Those are the two big differences between the two, it does make for a tough choice, the Alpha 1 is lighter but the Alpha 2 is bomb proof, also the Alpha 2 is $50 cheaper than the Alpha 2. As far as the Alpha 1 is to PC as Alpha 2 is to AR6 comparison, this is correct.
Sep 29 2009 10:10PM
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BWalmer
Posts: 9141 - Karma: 12,883
word, didn't know about the flex pattern differences, thanks. I think my next ski might be an Alpha 2, seems like fun.
Sep 29 2009 10:15PM
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zackbukovich
Posts: 70 - Karma: 114
Thanks a lot guys all of this really helps + K was given to all of you for the great help.
The Alpha 2's sound like the ski for me so I think that I will be getting these, I hope they turn out to be a fun  ski to play around on.

Sep 30 2009 12:49AM
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