Surface or armada??

just buy the jjs, or tsts...

One Lifes wouldn't really be the most ideal skinning ski, since they have a massive 8 degree three stage rocker..

Watch Lifes are your traditional all mountain ski, 100 in the waist, regular camber, medium stiff flex.

Also check out the Live Life. If you go with the 181, it's 110 in the waist, softer tips and tails, but stiffer underfoot. Makes a great all mountain ski that will perform everywhere you go. If you go with the 191cm length, the waist is beefed up to 120mm.

How much touring are you planning on?
You should also check out Surface's Free Series. More touring specific skis.

http://surfaceskis.com/hardgoods/free-series/walk-free/index.html
http://surfaceskis.com/hardgoods/free-series/live-free/index.html

Im kinda biased but in my experience, armada. They are just all around great. Surface is good too, I just feel like Armada is just better quality.

las year i had the surface live life, this year i am on the armada jj. im my oppinion the jj is ten times better in performance and quality.

I hear a lot of good stuff about the J.Js so you cant go wrong there. I have One lifes and like them a lot but i think a J.J would be a better pick for overall.

i got J.J's last year and i absolutely love them and recommend them, my favorite ski by far

Armada is made by Atomic. Surface is made in some faceless Chinese shit factory. Decision should be easy.

Went through a similar decision this summer for my touring setup and went with Armada TSTs. Mounted some Dukes on em, but Im not risking base damage with our current lack of snow. Gonna take em out on some groomers this weekend just to finally ski em and Ill let you know my impressions.