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Armada Whitewalker/ARV 116 JJ UL/Atomic Bent Chetler 120 - 2021 Skis

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MichaelSkier
Posts: 28 - Karma: 57
Hello,

I'm going to buy my first powder skis this season, I chose these 3 models, what is the difference between them? Which are the best for starting powder rides? If my height is 187 cm, will the 185 cm skis good for me?

I found not much information about the WhiteWalker on the Internet, I would like to know more about them, they look cool.
Aug 1 2020 3:44AM
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CatdickBojangles
Posts: 6200 - Karma: 62,950
It’s all going to depend on what kind of skiing you are doing. Do you like to job or charge? Playful or not? Touring?
Aug 1 2020 9:49AM
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highpeak
Posts: 426 - Karma: 2,209
More info about your skiing style/needs would help but the JJ UL and Bentchetler are each super light and are essentially 50/50 touring skis nowadays. No official reviews out on the Whitewalker yet I believe
Aug 1 2020 10:41AM
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MichaelSkier
Posts: 28 - Karma: 57
I think 50/50, sometime i like agressive skiing, some time jump off every hillock

Basically, I always rode all over the mountain and the park, in my area there is little opportunity to ride in a powder, only Kamchatka, and this is so expensive :(

So I can't say for sure what style of riding I would like in powder.
Now I have an opportunity to travel and I want to take powder skis, had experience with Armada ARV 106 188cm (135-106-125 r21.5) and I didn't really like them

Are Bent Chetler and the White Walker a bit alike?
Aug 1 2020 11:22AM
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Kyguyy
Posts: 580 - Karma: 6,363
I’ve ridden the bentchetler 100 in powder, so I can imagine the bentchetler 120s are a nice ski for powder
Aug 1 2020 11:47AM
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Non_State_Actor
Posts: 4830 - Karma: 17,106
MichaelSkierI think 50/50, sometime i like agressive skiing, some time jump off every hillock

Basically, I always rode all over the mountain and the park, in my area there is little opportunity to ride in a powder, only Kamchatka, and this is so expensive :(

So I can't say for sure what style of riding I would like in powder.
Now I have an opportunity to travel and I want to take powder skis, had experience with Armada ARV 106 188cm (135-106-125 r21.5) and I didn't really like them

Are Bent Chetler and the White Walker a bit alike?


What did you not like about the ARV 106?

What other skis have you used and liked or disliked?
Aug 1 2020 2:36PM
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Kbob94
Posts: 1259 - Karma: 7,909
Honestly I would go with the arv 116 UL if I were you. They're one of the best all around fun skis that you can ride powder on. The white walker is made of the same core that the 116 has but they stiffened it up a bunch! the bentchetler is a sick ski as well but its defiantly the most powder focused ski of the bunch. if you got more questions let me know.
Aug 1 2020 5:38PM
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animator
Posts: 4552 - Karma: 26,250
I have an ARV 116 UL and it’s an awesome ski, definitely pretty soft given the lightweight Karuba wood used in the core. The Whitewalker is almost the same ski, but like mentioned above, it’s stiff as f*ck. The Chetler is also really lightweight and I’ve heard it’s great in pow but I haven’t ridden it so I cannot attest to it. Definitely recommend the UL if you like to play, but it’s not a great ski to mow through rough chop
Aug 1 2020 6:39PM
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MichaelSkier
Posts: 28 - Karma: 57
mystery3What did you not like about the ARV 106?

What other skis have you used and liked or disliked?

I tested CT2 and I liked them, but it was difficult to buy them and I decided to take ARV 106, maybe the ski radius didn't suit me very well or the size was big for me, but my legs get quickly tired...

I am 187cm and skis was 188cm. Now i am owner of CT2 184cm.
Aug 2 2020 2:31AM
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MichaelSkier
Posts: 28 - Karma: 57
Kbob94Honestly I would go with the arv 116 UL if I were you. They're one of the best all around fun skis that you can ride powder on. The white walker is made of the same core that the 116 has but they stiffened it up a bunch! the bentchetler is a sick ski as well but its defiantly the most powder focused ski of the bunch. if you got more questions let me know.


So the WW is more stiff then ARV 116 UL?

If i am 187cm can i buy 184cm powder skis?
Aug 2 2020 2:36AM
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Martin.th
Posts: 36 - Karma: 101
MichaelSkierSo the WW is more stiff then ARV 116 UL?

If i am 187cm can i buy 184cm powder skis?


No, get the 192 ones
Aug 2 2020 4:18AM
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MichaelSkier
Posts: 28 - Karma: 57
FyckrNo, get the 192 ones


Why not 185? Had bad experience with 188 arv 106 :(
Aug 2 2020 5:09AM
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Kbob94
Posts: 1259 - Karma: 7,909
MichaelSkierSo the WW is more stiff then ARV 116 UL?

If i am 187cm can i buy 184cm powder skis?


Yes the WW is WAY stiffer then the 116UL! Definitely don’t get the 185 UL skis. Especially in a powder ski they’re gonna ski so much shorter I’m 185cm and I only have 1 pair of skis that are 185 or shorter and that’s just cause they’re my touring skis.
Aug 2 2020 10:35AM
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Martin.th
Posts: 36 - Karma: 101
MichaelSkierWhy not 185? Had bad experience with 188 arv 106 :(

Its not the same ski...
they are going to ski much shorter than 184 because of the rocker so 192 will be much better
Aug 2 2020 4:18PM
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anders_a
Posts: 1680 - Karma: 5,603
Not tried the whitewalker, but I own the BC120 and arv 116 JJ



JJ has more rocker and softer
Aug 3 2020 6:38AM
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CalumSKI
Posts: 4149 - Karma: 23,438
I absolutely love the bc120s but I'm also getting some whitewalkers this season so if u wait I'll lyk how I like em. If u have any more questions about the bs120s, pm me bro! I'd be happy to help:)
Aug 5 2020 1:39PM
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MichaelSkier
Posts: 28 - Karma: 57
CalumSKII absolutely love the bc120s but I'm also getting some whitewalkers this season so if u wait I'll lyk how I like em. If u have any more questions about the bs120s, pm me bro! I'd be happy to help:)

Hello, thx u! What is your height and size of skis?
Aug 5 2020 11:55PM
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CalumSKI
Posts: 4149 - Karma: 23,438
MichaelSkierHello, thx u! What is your height and size of skis?

Hey I'm 5'8 and I ride the 176s
Aug 6 2020 9:56AM
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charley
Posts: 12 - Karma: 52
I had park skis back in the day that weighed more than the JJ ul’s. hands down the best playful powder ski on the market imo and were worth every damn penny. They are surprisingly stable for how light and soft they are as well.
Aug 6 2020 9:52PM
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OregonDead
Posts: 6900 - Karma: 24,610
charleyI had park skis back in the day that weighed more than the JJ ul’s. hands down the best playful powder ski on the market imo and were worth every damn penny. They are surprisingly stable for how light and soft they are as well.


dang must be good. 7 posts since 2013 and this is one of them. interesting you say both soft and stable. what kind of conditions are they good in? just blower or have you had them out in choppy cement?
Aug 7 2020 12:53AM
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mayslay
Posts: 61 - Karma: 234
If you like to do any aggressive skiing, I would not get any of those three skis. None of those are going to be durable at all. I would go with something more durable, that will probably be a similar price, such as something from Moment or ON3P, unless you plan on making it a dedicated touring ski.
Aug 7 2020 12:58AM
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charley
Posts: 12 - Karma: 52
I use the JJ ul’s on Blackcomb all over the mountain and spend half my time touring on them. They are not the best at high speed crud but considering their flex and weight they do great. I have bad ankle injuries and the light swing weight makes them pivot in the trees like no other in it’s class. I don’t know of another ski even similar to it that is that light. This is a ski for someone that wants to play, so it’s not for everyone. If all your skiing is done at really high speed only skiing forwards then you might want to reconsider all of these three skis.
Aug 7 2020 10:38AM
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CalumSKI
Posts: 4149 - Karma: 23,438
ReviseLeanedIf you like to do any aggressive skiing, I would not get any of those three skis. None of those are going to be durable at all. I would go with something more durable, that will probably be a similar price, such as something from Moment or ON3P, unless you plan on making it a dedicated touring ski.

I mean I find the bc120s incredibly durable, so idk where that came from...
Aug 7 2020 5:52PM
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mayslay
Posts: 61 - Karma: 234
CalumSKII mean I find the bc120s incredibly durable, so idk where that came from...


What year BCs do you have? Everyone I know who has gotten a pair since Atomic began transitioning them to a more lightweight/backcountry-oriented ski has had durability issues with them. I've generally heard good things about pre-2016ish models though, when they were more designed for pure resort use rather than 50-50.
Aug 8 2020 9:53PM
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CalumSKI
Posts: 4149 - Karma: 23,438
ReviseLeanedWhat year BCs do you have? Everyone I know who has gotten a pair since Atomic began transitioning them to a more lightweight/backcountry-oriented ski has had durability issues with them. I've generally heard good things about pre-2016ish models though, when they were more designed for pure resort use rather than 50-50.

I have the 2020 ones, and I've had no problems with durability as of yet
Aug 8 2020 10:39PM
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anders_a
Posts: 1680 - Karma: 5,603
2020, but honestly so few days on them I cant tell how they will last :p

2020 season kinda ended early, did tour on hard surface on them a few days after lifts closed.



I do have quite a few days on the BC100, including a remount, seem to hold up. atomic has a pretty good rumor for good production.
Aug 9 2020 5:00AM
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AaronO.
Posts: 1165 - Karma: 3,189
If you’re 187cm you should definitely not go lower than 185 ever
Aug 10 2020 2:51PM
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anders_a
Posts: 1680 - Karma: 5,603
AaronO.If you’re 187cm you should definitely not go lower than 185 ever


tell that to the guys makeing all the damn 184 skis
Aug 10 2020 3:25PM
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powsurf33
Posts: 4 - Karma: 13
just copped the 192 Armada WW (im 6'3 ~195lbs). Pretty fired up to shred them this season. Using them mainly just for touring and pow days. I am very unsure if I should mount them at Sammy's mounting point (about -2cm from true center) or at the armada recommended, or just in between. If anyone has any insight/advice, I would be stoked to hear it. Cheers
Dec 1 2020 10:23PM
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MichaelSkier
Posts: 28 - Karma: 57
powsurf33just copped the 192 Armada WW (im 6'3 ~195lbs). Pretty fired up to shred them this season. Using them mainly just for touring and pow days. I am very unsure if I should mount them at Sammy's mounting point (about -2cm from true center) or at the armada recommended, or just in between. If anyone has any insight/advice, I would be stoked to hear it. Cheers


Congrats man, took them to the test, the skis are cool

From Sammy's instagram:
Dec 2 2020 3:35AM
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hunternay_10
Posts: 136 - Karma: 747
I'm between these three skis this season and was wondering what you thought of the whitewalkers? They seem to be the best blend of all three skis however I have also heard that they are dead? Thanks
Oct 19 2021 8:55PM
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MichaelSkier
Posts: 28 - Karma: 57
hunternay_10I'm between these three skis this season and was wondering what you thought of the whitewalkers? They seem to be the best blend of all three skis however I have also heard that they are dead? Thanks


Hello, I bought WW, these are stiff and very light skis, they hold speed perfectly and I felt comfortable in powder, I took JJ for the test, they kept the speed worse, at high speed the noses were shaking, JJ more softer then WW. For me WW's looks like for agressive skiing and JJ's for relaxing&fun :D
I dont know what to say about Bent Chetler, cos I have never tested them, I held them in my hands and they are something between WW and JJ in stiffer condition, but i heard from many people it is great skis
Oct 20 2021 2:08AM
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Kbob94
Posts: 1259 - Karma: 7,909
hunternay_10I'm between these three skis this season and was wondering what you thought of the whitewalkers? They seem to be the best blend of all three skis however I have also heard that they are dead? Thanks


You’ll honestly never go wrong owning the WW. It handles everything so damn well! They’re not dead by any stretch of the imagination. They rip any and everything you throw at them. Even on not “perfect” days they’re still a absolute blast to ski
Oct 20 2021 5:43AM
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