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Are Alpha 2s more of a playful ski than AR6s?

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Kryss
Posts: 28 - Karma: 26
Hi, I'm a new member to the forum but have been reading here for a fair while. I'm looking for some help choosing new park skis. I currently have 176 AR6s ('07 model). I like them for the most part but find them far too stiff in the tails and I don't really like the flex pattern in the tips for buttering. They flex right up near the tips and it makes it harder to do buttery pivoty things. They're just not as fun as other skis I've owned. I liked the flex of my old AR5s better and even my Walls (once I'd done a full season on them).

I was leaning a little towards some Alpha 2s but wanted to know if they're a more playful ski than the AR6s? The other problem is that I'm 6'4" (~180lbs) and I'm not sure if the 182 Alpha 2s would be too short for me due to the early rise tips? I realise my current skis are too short for me too but I was planning on something longer with this set.

Also open to other suggestions, I'm not at all set on Armadas.
Jan 23 2010 8:13AM
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Blurst
Posts: 13577 - Karma: 10,169
The alpha 2 is an awesome ski. It is fairly stiff but because of the early rise it makes it super easy to butter and press. I wrote a full review if you need any more info. https://www.newschoolers.com/web/content/reviews/action/read/id/1217/ and i know that the picture is wrong.
Jan 23 2010 8:19AM
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Kryss
Posts: 28 - Karma: 26
Yeah, thanks, I'd read that before. I think I've read all the current info on here on Alphas. I'm mainly interested in knowing if the flex has very similar characteristics to the AR6, i.e. much stiffer tails and similar flex pattern on the tips.


Jan 23 2010 8:42AM
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Motes
Posts: 1840 - Karma: 90

heres armadas description of the alpha 2:

The Alpha 2 brings the revolutionary Elf Shoe Tech of the Alpha 1 to the masses. Subtle differences like a modified Hybrid AR Core 1 and the S7 Base ensure uncompromised durability, which is important when paired with game-changing ski design, because it will dramatically enhance the ski’s ability to butter jumps and press rails and boxes. Whether it’s further across the park or higher above the pipe, the Alpha 2 is proof of concept for Armada’s Elf Shoe Technology.

and there descripition of the ar6:

Think of the AR6 as a history lesson in park-specific ski design. Its DNA goes back seven years to our very first prototypes and proves that the terrain park rivals the race course as skiing's premier testing ground. After all, it takes the input of Armada-caliber park riders to marry an AR Core 1 to a carbon kevlar tail stringer for a ski with unprecedented pop off the snow and durability throughout the season. The 2.5 Impact Edge and S7 Base absorb abuse without significant decline in performance, and the ABS construction is our most bomb-proof. Armada didn't invent the park-specific ski; with the AR6, we perfected it.

I personally havent skied either ski but it seems that the Alpha 2 is pretty playful

hope this helps

Jan 23 2010 9:11AM
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flatland
Posts: 726 - Karma: 77
I've never skiied the AR6's so I can't really compare the two but I have skiied the Alpha 2's.  Just from hand flexing them in the shop, I can assume that the AR6's are slightly flexier while the alphas are just a little stiffer.  However the Elf shoe tech in the tip and tail really does help with buttering.  Regarding sizes, I'm 6'0 200lbs and I'm skiing the 176's.  Probably could have gone slightly longer but I think the 182's would work well for you.
Jan 23 2010 10:56AM
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Chrris
Posts: 568 - Karma: 211

There probabaly about equal in flex but the alpha's ride shorter and thinner because jacob wester said he wanted a skinnier ski so yeah id say about equal. ar6's still have an amazing flex patern and feel amazing in my opinion though

Jan 23 2010 4:35PM
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