Armada ARVs or Faction Prodigy 2.0?

jRomaWhats gooddd.

Looking for a new pair of skis as I haven't bought any in the past 12 years I need some help..

So I have always been a east coast park skier, but as I am getting older I think I should buy a more versatile ski.

I still rip park but I want a ski that can rip some groomers and also handle some pow for when I make trips out west. I love myself some tree skiing as well and love park above all, but know in a couple years ill probably have to let it go.

With that being said, I was between the Armada ARV 96 or Prodigy 2.0 from what I have heard. I am open to suggestions and wanted to know what you guys think would fit me best or if you have any experience with the two.

I am 5'11, 145 lbs.. Last skis I had were Armada Ar7s 2012, 177.

Appreciate any help, feedback, or recommendations! thanks

I personally really like Armada and have had good luck with them . These two skis are similar and I have heard good things about both. The ARV is a little softer than the prodigy I believe but still has a backbone to handle shredding around. I would honestly call that a toss up. What ever one you get a better deal on.

I can only speak on the ARV 96's, as I've only used them for a few runs. They hold an edge pretty good, even with detuned edges. They're also a mid-flex so it's pretty versatile all over the mountain. They are pretty stable at higher speeds and bigger jumps.

I’ve had ARV96 and ride Prodigy 1.0 (not 2.0) and prefer the prodigy line. In my opinion, it’s more of a well rounded ski that can handle the jumps, rails, and hot laps as best as possible for a ski that size. ARV didn’t give me as much confidence outside the park as the prodigy’s do.

DesertStixI’ve had ARV96 and ride Prodigy 1.0 (not 2.0) and prefer the prodigy line. In my opinion, it’s more of a well rounded ski that can handle the jumps, rails, and hot laps as best as possible for a ski that size. ARV didn’t give me as much confidence outside the park as the prodigy’s do.

word, good to know. How long have you been using the prodigy's and how are they holding up? My main concern is that Armadas are a lot more durable and that if I go prodigy route I will regret it in a 2 or 3 years

For sure and to be fair I only started riding them at the beginning of this season but I do trash them. I smash them onto rails and land heavy with all 200 lbs of me and have been surprised with the durability after hearing so many people trash faction for just that. They aren’t on3p/moment quality but I picked them up for $275 brand new and I have zero complaints. I can see how they would be pretty beat up after a few seasons though. Just a couple weeks ago I fucked up and let the bases of my meridians freeze during a deep storm and my only other pair in the truck was the prodigys. Ended up ripping them for two powder days which obviously wasn’t ideal but remember thinking to myself on the lift run where there are some rock formations and slightly more tech terrain that the prodigy’s at 90 underfoot were way more stable than the ARV96’s on the exact same lines.

jRomaword, good to know. How long have you been using the prodigy's and how are they holding up? My main concern is that Armadas are a lot more durable and that if I go prodigy route I will regret it in a 2 or 3 years

I think this is where a lot of people go wrong. They expect $700 quality out of a $300 park ski. Plus, Faction is known for a generous warranty program AND they’ve switched to the Fischer factory so their quality has apparently gone up.
PS I’m so jealous that you have the meridian. Those look so sick.

OP, @Twig mentioned in another thread that the ARV96 is the “Swiss Army knife” and that it makes it boring.

I would go Faction.

Circling back around to point out the ARV96 are cap construction tip and tails and Prodigy 2.0s are full sidewall.

DesertStixFor sure and to be fair I only started riding them at the beginning of this season but I do trash them. I smash them onto rails and land heavy with all 200 lbs of me and have been surprised with the durability after hearing so many people trash faction for just that. They aren’t on3p/moment quality but I picked them up for $275 brand new and I have zero complaints. I can see how they would be pretty beat up after a few seasons though. Just a couple weeks ago I fucked up and let the bases of my meridians freeze during a deep storm and my only other pair in the truck was the prodigys. Ended up ripping them for two powder days which obviously wasn’t ideal but remember thinking to myself on the lift run where there are some rock formations and slightly more tech terrain that the prodigy’s at 90 underfoot were way more stable than the ARV96’s on the exact same lines.

**This post was edited on Mar 24th 2021 at 4:18:14am

So price isnt the biggest factor. I would go up to $600 if its worth it. I was leaning towards ARVs because I have had my Armada Ar7s for 9 years now and they still ride fine. I am only getting a new pair cause I am bored of them, now thinking of it I think the ARVs will probably feel very similar.

Leaning towards Faction now but cheapest i find is $500 (dont know how you got them for 275). Also, open to look into on3p or other brands. Do people have any suggestions for a ski that is similar in what it will give u as an all mountain ski to these but different brand?

Everything is about to go on sale. End of season, Memorial Day, and Labor Day weekend are the big ones for sales.

ON3Ps are currently $100 off.

I like the guys at slope style in Breck. They’ve got good stuff for good prices end of season
@.nasty

You could also email a company you like asking about blems, older models, or sales. I’ve had luck with that before.

jRomaSo price isnt the biggest factor. I would go up to $600 if its worth it. I was leaning towards ARVs because I have had my Armada Ar7s for 9 years now and they still ride fine. I am only getting a new pair cause I am bored of them, now thinking of it I think the ARVs will probably feel very similar.

Leaning towards Faction now but cheapest i find is $500 (dont know how you got them for 275). Also, open to look into on3p or other brands. Do people have any suggestions for a ski that is similar in what it will give u as an all mountain ski to these but different brand?

Dope, appreciate it. What On3p skis would you say are the most similar to the ARVs. Been out of the game for awhile now lol sorry for all the questions

I’m not sure any on3p ski will be very close to ARV but sounds like for the type of skiing you’re looking at, Jeffrey 96 might be a good ski for you. I think the on3p shapes and designs are going to be pretty different from armada though...

jRomaDope, appreciate it. What On3p skis would you say are the most similar to the ARVs. Been out of the game for awhile now lol sorry for all the questions

DesertStixI’m not sure any on3p ski will be very close to ARV but sounds like for the type of skiing you’re looking at, Jeffrey 96 might be a good ski for you. I think the on3p shapes and designs are going to be pretty different from armada though...

Understood. I'm open to change. Like I said I've been riding the same ar7's for the past 9 years and would like a nice switch up as I've never really tried anything else. I just want a ski that can do the job in the park in terms of jumps and jibs. But will also be able to handle ripping groomers at high speeds. Feel like a more playful ski would be fun which seems like on3p are although I cant really do any nose butters.

Also, would be nice if it could handle some pow if I go out west for a prolonged weekend.


Im all over the place as you can tell and dont really know my shit for skis besides that armada has been reliable for me, so just want to hear perspectives of other brands and see if I can find a good fun ski for myself.

For sure. And to be fair that’s a pretty wide range of skis so there are a ton more to check out

jRomaUnderstood. I'm open to change. Like I said I've been riding the same ar7's for the past 9 years and would like a nice switch up as I've never really tried anything else. I just want a ski that can do the job in the park in terms of jumps and jibs. But will also be able to handle ripping groomers at high speeds. Feel like a more playful ski would be fun which seems like on3p are although I cant really do any nose butters.

Also, would be nice if it could handle some pow if I go out west for a prolonged weekend.


Im all over the place as you can tell and dont really know my shit for skis besides that armada has been reliable for me, so just want to hear perspectives of other brands and see if I can find a good fun ski for myself.

Hi Guys, so I am getting close to making a decision haha. After doing some research, I ended up in between the prodigy 2.0, On3p jeffrey 96, and icelantic nomad 95s..

I am leaning more towards the jeffrey 96 as I have heard a lot of good things from on3p, would like to switch it up and get a playful ski which I have never owned, and the good durability is a plus... Now my only concern is that I live on the east coast and heard these can be pretty brutal to ski on when it is icey or just manmade snow in general which is often over here... Anyone have experience or input on what I should go with?