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My skis are ten years old, need some help please

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RubberSoul
Posts: 11249 - Karma: 14,642
Well i think it's time to upgrade from my year 2000 line park skis, but i havent paid attention to new skis since about 2004. At this point i ski more all mountain charging stuff than park but i definitely need skis that rip in the park. i also want it to be relatively light and have some tail to it, but be stiff and powerful enough to bust through crud and be stable at really high speeds.

i also tried some fat skis for the first time last year and they were amazing.. i'd love to move up to some skis that are still nimble enough for bullshitting around on the east coast and doing rail tricks, but have some fatness to float on fresh snow when i get the chances. i can't afford a quiver, i'd like a one ski quiver please..

so taking all this into account, is the armada el rey a good choice? i see it's referred to as a price point ski, where does this show itself? do they have some shitty bases or something? i like the price and it sounds up my alley..

thanks for helping, much appreciated. i'd love to get these really soon and mount them up
Dec 24 2010 2:23AM
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jibbinc.
Posts: 3355 - Karma: 2,497
You should check out the Armada Alpha 1 / 2 / halo.

The armada 1's are amazing, light swing weight, early tip and tail so buttering is easy and worry free.

They crush the park, float in the pow and hold up down fast speed on groomers.
Dec 24 2010 2:35AM
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RubberSoul
Posts: 11249 - Karma: 14,642
what does the race base on the alpha 1 mean for me?
Dec 24 2010 2:42AM
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RubberSoul
Posts: 11249 - Karma: 14,642
i'm really interested in this btw
Dec 24 2010 2:43AM
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RubberSoul
Posts: 11249 - Karma: 14,642
hmm the armada site says it's the same base as the ar7 and stuff.. so what makes this a price point ski? any notable drawbacks?

thanks a lot
Dec 24 2010 2:46AM
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jibbinc.
Posts: 3355 - Karma: 2,497
The race base just means a faster base.

The ski feels shorter because of the early rise. However it holds up on jumps and landings due to the stiffness.

The ski is price point because of its innovative shape, and durability.
Dec 24 2010 2:58AM
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RubberSoul
Posts: 11249 - Karma: 14,642
nice youve got me thinking about the alphas now too. though the price of the el rey is really enticing.

more opinions and help please!
Dec 24 2010 7:02PM
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*simba*
Posts: 9125 - Karma: 512
If you want a fatter EC ski, take a look at the 09/10-10/11 Surface Watch Life, the Line Blend, and I know you said you wanted something stiff, but the Line Anthem is a SUPER FUN ski.
Dec 24 2010 7:06PM
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Mr.Fister
Posts: 526 - Karma: 10
ALPHA 1s DO NOT FLOAT.
whoever tells you this has not skied them in powder.
Dec 24 2010 7:19PM
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RubberSoul
Posts: 11249 - Karma: 14,642
yeah.. call me a dick but i don't really wanna get any smaller/newer ski company's skis quite yet, i'd rather buy from a more established company who have had the time to refine their shit. i skied some moments last year and it's the first time i ever noticed disliking a ski. just felt noodly, dead/not fun, and i took a medium hard fall and snapped the tail in half

and i'd sort of rather stay away from lines, ive had a couple pairs and theyre cool but i'd like something a bit better at charging and going through crud. plus i feel like lines aren't made quite as well, like their bases are just okay

anyway i'm reallly liking the el rey, esp because of the price. if anyone can give me some input on them that'd be great. as long as they can handle some new snow and float decently, but still charge and slay rails and shit.. i'm also really curious how the "price point" part shows itself.. are they built more shoddily or something? are they gonna fall apart or lose their pop or go slow?

also, where should i mount them? i like having a lot of tail for park and rails but i wanna be able to charge hard and float enough in new snow


THANKS so much for any input, it is much appreciated. i'd really like to order these things in the next couple days
Dec 24 2010 8:00PM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 370
volkl bridge?

get it
Dec 24 2010 8:05PM
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RubberSoul
Posts: 11249 - Karma: 14,642
also, how do the el reys handle high speeds? keep in mind this will be noticed in comparison to park noodles from 2000.. but i would like a ski that can haul ass and pound through shitty snow
Dec 24 2010 8:05PM
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Schoening
Posts: 14332 - Karma: 1,268
I got a grand new pair of 179cm K2 Kung FU still in the wrapper. (retail is 599 at the moment)

Asking $490 + shipping cost
Dec 24 2010 8:08PM
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egg.
Posts: 3231 - Karma: 3,477
i think yes. or line mastermind
Dec 24 2010 8:08PM
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Abc567def
Posts: 8756 - Karma: 801
Wow your skis are older then most of the members on ns
Dec 24 2010 8:10PM
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Slinger1x1
Posts: 8853 - Karma: 66
ehh, not all skis are the same. you probably were riding a ski that was meant to be noodley and dead. i had a pair of moment tahoes that were some of the stiffest skis i've ridden and they were incredibly durable.

there is nothing wrong with a small, hand-made ski company if you know what you are getting into. i got a  pair of ON3P and i am having the best season yet because im on skis that i absolutely LOVE
Dec 24 2010 8:17PM
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CANNON^
Posts: 1609 - Karma: 23
line cronic crytonites. they are made as a all mountain ski. they have a 92 under foot so they r wide enough for some powder but still are stable enough for park. and u know u cant go wrong with line!
Dec 24 2010 8:23PM
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Canuker
Posts: 4730 - Karma: 165

I have to disagree with a few things in this post.

First off, your post regarding newer companies. I understand your concern but I wouldnt be so quick to count them out. Although they may be new alot of companies, like surface, produce a quality product. Many people love their blue house, surface, ON3P (etc) skis. You say you dont really trust them because of your experience with moment last year which i can completely understand. However, i wouldnt necessarily blame this as a result of their "small/new" status. Look how many people complain about durability issue's with even more established companies. Every company, no matter how "established" makes a defective ski every now and then.

Secondly I have to strongly disagree with your post about line. You say how you've owned a couple pairs and they dont really float yoru boat. Yet you also mention how you currenty own and ride a 10 year old pair. Excuse me for assuming but im guessing whatever other lines youve owne have been older or around the same age. Do you really think their ski;s have stayed the same in the past 10 years? If so your sadly mistaken, not only have they continued to improve year by year but 3 years ago they were picked up by K2 and became a branch of their company (dont qoute me on this, i think it was 3 years ago but could be completely wrong. 2 years sounds about right but so does 2). After this they produced much more reliable skis in terms of durability.
Go try some chronics, chronic cryptonites or blends and tell me they dont float and/or charge crud.

I guess it seems like im trying to stick  up for these companys, and in a way i guess i am, but id just like you to consider things instead of counting them out so quickly. It doesnt affect me which pair you get and i could honestly care less if you didnt get a surface or a line but i just felt like giving my opinion.

Dec 24 2010 8:55PM
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pelle_munch
Posts: 4110 - Karma: 503
I have the Alpha 2's. I love them. And whoever said they don't do well in pow, you're fucking retarded because they kill it. I love them because they do really well in the park because of their light swing weight, but also can rip around the mountain in pretty much most conditions. They are the only skis that I have, and I use them for everything.

I had a pipe comp last weekend, and I was really amazed at their performance in the pipe. This ski really is an everywhere ski. Also, i love them for buttering and messing around on because they have early rise, yet they are stiff enough to haul ass on whenever you want.

Cliffnotes: i have alpha 2's, they rock, do well in pow, all mountain, pipe, park, and everything else. get em'!
Dec 24 2010 9:30PM
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RubberSoul
Posts: 11249 - Karma: 14,642
let's put it this way... the 400 dollar el rey is looking really good to me. i should have titled this thread "can anyone convince me not to get these?" it looks right up my alley, but i just want to know if the lower price shows itself.. and if these skis truly can rip up the mountain at high speeds but also slay the park and rails
Dec 24 2010 10:34PM
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RubberSoul
Posts: 11249 - Karma: 14,642
and also, how stiff are they?
Dec 24 2010 10:53PM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 370
theyre not stiff at all.

im tellin ya, volkl bridge, buy last years for camber.
nice stiff flex, big shovels.

buttery ass turn initiation, gobs of stability, they destroy crud, nice pop, fantastic edge hold... need i go on?
Dec 24 2010 11:28PM
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pelle_munch
Posts: 4110 - Karma: 503
nah man, ARMADA ALPHA 1/2
Dec 25 2010 12:38AM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 370
nah man, skis that dont have rocker > skis with rocker
Dec 25 2010 12:48AM
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pelle_munch
Posts: 4110 - Karma: 503
depending on use
Dec 25 2010 12:50AM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 370
for all mountain skiing with some park thrown in.

also, for anything else imo
Dec 25 2010 12:57AM
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.Duncan.
Posts: 1375 - Karma: 459
ok so my friend has el reys and he seems to like them as an all mountain ski, they seem to float ok under around 6" of pow and he hits mostly rails and likes them, i dont think they are that stiff, and the reason they may be cheap is that the durability is ok but they are just a general ski.

Also i have alpha 2's and i found them for 400$ dollars, you can get skis cheap if you find deals.

Sorry for my bad grammar.
Dec 25 2010 1:02AM
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DBAKE
Posts: 3031 - Karma: 340
^this perfect for you, slays all around the mountain.
Dec 25 2010 1:19AM
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RubberSoul
Posts: 11249 - Karma: 14,642
like sort of an easy/lackluster ski? or what?
Dec 25 2010 2:14AM
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Canuker
Posts: 4730 - Karma: 165
No its just that they might use a cheaer core or something. You shouldnt be too worried. I ski invaders, theyre considered a price point ski and i love them. Many other people who ski price point skis also have a great time on them with little complaints.
Dec 25 2010 10:50AM
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Mr_pretzel
Posts: 4616 - Karma: 1,289
They also have full cap constriction.

Also i agree with charmander, get bridges.
Dec 25 2010 11:10AM
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RubberSoul
Posts: 11249 - Karma: 14,642
so is that a yes? i don't know much about ski construction
Dec 25 2010 11:25AM
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Mr_pretzel
Posts: 4616 - Karma: 1,289
Cap is cheaper to make most of the time.
Dec 25 2010 11:40AM
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CCampbell-A1
Posts: 264 - Karma: 13
Options:

Don't know much about the El Rey or A1/2.

The Bridge is a ski I know very well. Best all-around all-mountain ski I've ever ridden (with the possible exception of J-Mos). I'm riding the '08/'09s, I ride 177cm Bridges and like to charge hard and fast, carve long turns and throw myself off of jumps. They're stiffer, hold up fine on rails (haven't really tried any park-specific skis, so I can't really compare), and are pretty durable.

My buddy just got a pair of ON3P Jeronimos, we both agree that they're orgasmic. About the same stiffness/flex pattern as my Bridges (stiffer tail, medium-stiff nose), that bit of rocker is a nice addition. Couldn't ask for a better all-mountain/park ski.

Also, check out the Rossi S3, K2 Kung Fujas, Moment Tahoes; there are plenty of skis out there.

BST is a great resource.
Dec 25 2010 1:49PM
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