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First park ski, experienced skier - what do I pick?

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MrRoflWaffles
Posts: 6 - Karma: 10
Hi all. I'm new to park but have done a lot of skiing elsewhere on the mountain as well as some instructor training. My daily drivers right now are my Salomon QST 99s which I definitely like using, but are obviously not designed with the park in mind. So, I'm looking for a new set of planks.

I have a discount I can use on Armada skis to make them a LOT more affordable but am struggling to decide on which to go for. The faceoff seems to be ARV96 vs Edollos - I've read the reviews and it sounds like the Dollos win out in park-only scenarios but the ARVs win everywhere else. What I'm curious about is whether the Dollos would be more fun in general (even if less powerful in an all mountain environment)? Is the extra stiffness in the ARVs going to make a huge difference for landing jumps or will I hardly notice as a park noob? Is there anywhere I would really hate to be skiing the dollos compared to the ARVs?

Most importantly: what am I going to have the most fun on?

Would really appreciate any and all help in deciding between the two. Also need to pick lengths, looks like their stock right now online has Dollos in 172cm ($570 with bindings) and ARVs in 177cm ($497 with bindings).

About me:
- I'm 5'7"
- Pretty light at 130-135lbs
- Current skis Salomon QST 99 174cm
- Mainly skiing in France, some in Keystone CO
- Interested in most aspects of park, especially jumps, but def no street ski type stuff
- Big park beginner, have only hit basic boxes, 180s on small jumps etc currently

**This thread was edited on Feb 16th 2020 at 8:01:08pm
Feb 16 2020 7:59PM
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SoAnG
Posts: 386 - Karma: 388
Edollos has been represented well in any big air comp so I wouldn't split hairs with its softer flex. I'm on the Bdogs this season and having a great time all mountain.
Feb 16 2020 8:04PM
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MrRoflWaffles
Posts: 6 - Karma: 10
Gotcha. Bdogs are fairly similar flex to the Edollos, maybe a bit softer, right? Would you say they're probably pretty similar for all mountain performance?
SoAnGEdollos has been represented well in any big air comp so I wouldn't split hairs with its softer flex. I'm on the Bdogs this season and having a great time all mountain.
Feb 16 2020 8:16PM
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SoAnG
Posts: 386 - Karma: 388
I can't comment about the Edollos as I have never been on them but the Bdogs are serving me well all mountain as they are not noodles as people have suggested. I would check out Twigs roof box reviews here as he is spot on with in depth unbiased reviews. He reviewed both the Edollos and Bdogs,
Feb 16 2020 10:56PM
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MrRoflWaffles
Posts: 6 - Karma: 10
Yeah, read Twig's reviews but still felt a bit uncertain about the comparison as his verdict was pretty much "the ARV works great if you're going to be anywhere from 30%-90% park, but I prefer the Edollos anyway". At this point I think I'm leaning towards the Dollos too, feel like being on something softer will be a fun change from what I'm used to.

I also need to decide on length if I get the Edollos, I think because of the rocker the 180cm would be better but it's currently out of stock on the Armada site so I may be forced to go for the 172s in the end. Reckon that would feel super short?
Feb 17 2020 6:02PM
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SoAnG
Posts: 386 - Karma: 388
I prefer softer skis for all mountain myself. Edollos would have been my next to try but the Bdogs had the short turn radius I was after with great results. I'm the same height as you with an added 45 LBS and the 172CM length feels right for me. Comes to about the top of my head. They measure 2CM shorter.
Feb 17 2020 6:18PM
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MrRoflWaffles
Posts: 6 - Karma: 10
Dope, thanks for the help with this. Probably last question - do you think it'll feel super weird going from a stiffer ski like the QSTs to the dollos or is the adjustment pretty easy to make? I've not skied something that soft before so feel like I'm taking a bit of a risk but maybe I'm overthinking it
Feb 18 2020 6:36PM
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Rochey
Posts: 16 - Karma: 30
We’re probably similar standard I’m certainly below average in the park. I have edollos they’re very good. To be honest if you get BDogs Edollos or ARV96 you’ve got a very good pair of skis.


none of them are going to feel as stable as the Salomons around the mountain. The signature series are more pure park skis though so if you want them with a bit of all mountain go Edollo if you want all mountain go ARV.

ive skied off piste with my edollos, they’re workable but you just notice less than perfect snow a lot more.
Feb 19 2020 12:53PM
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MrRoflWaffles
Posts: 6 - Karma: 10
Thanks guys, all super useful.

Very last q - do I need to worry much about mount point? Armada will be mounting them and for example for the ARVs they have options of true centre through to -5cm listed. The list has -3cm as "recommended" so should I just go with that or would it be better to be nearer centre?
Feb 22 2020 8:14PM
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