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November, 2024

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Arv 106

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Thegreatpasta
Posts: 19 - Karma: 391
I'm looking to replace my current all mountain ski. I currently ride a 2021/22 Armada ARV 96 in 177 length. I'm 6'1" and 270lb. I have pretty strong legs, as I compete in strong man and weight train about 6 days a week. I've been skiing since middle school and I'm now 28. When I originally bought this length, I sized down bc it was my first full length ski after being a ski blade kid, so I wanted to get used to the extra length again. I've now started to outski this ski imo. They walk at higher speeds on me and don't feel very stable over 45mph. My other skis are Vishnu Wide Pluses in 183, which I love but don't use for all mountain bc we get a lotta icey/hardpack days where I live. I'm considering buying 2023/2024 ARV 106s in 188 length, as I've found a good deal on a pair and I like the wider platform on the vishnus. Would this be a good ski for all mountain ripping? I like going super fast and aggressive on groomers, skiing glades, hitting side hits or natural kickers or park jumps (I'd prefer something that can absorb a lotta the landing as I tore my meniscus a few years ago) skiing bump, and just getting silly. I probably won't use these much for rails or butters, as I'd rather my vishnus for that. I do like skiing switch and doing groundspins/reverts/etc. We don't really get powder here as I'm on the east coast, so that's not a big concern tbh. I normally ski for about 8 hours each time I go out so I want something that's not so soft it'll completely tire me out after a few runs.

Sorry in advance if this is a stupid question. I keep seeing mixed reviews on the ARV 106. Thanks in advance.
Dec 22 2024 1:15PM
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midwestcoast
Posts: 208 - Karma: 2,113
You're definitely outgrowing the ski.

ARV 106 was one of my favorite skis I've ever had until I destroyed em. I'm 5'10" 175 lbs and skied the 188. I'll probably get another pair at some point when I'm due for another mid-fat in my quiver. Truly one of the more versatile skis I've ever owned. You'll find yourself grabbing these more than you will anything else.... Don't overthink it, we all do, just get em...
Dec 22 2024 2:01PM
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Thegreatpasta
Posts: 19 - Karma: 391
Do you know what year's model you had. Seems like they changed construction and flex pretty frequently since I've gotten mine. How is the pop on them? How were they in tight terrain like trees? How were they at charging shitty snow/ice/crude/etc
midwestcoastYou're definitely outgrowing the ski.

ARV 106 was one of my favorite skis I've ever had until I destroyed em. I'm 5'10" 175 lbs and skied the 188. I'll probably get another pair at some point when I'm due for another mid-fat in my quiver. Truly one of the more versatile skis I've ever owned. You'll find yourself grabbing these more than you will anything else.... Don't overthink it, we all do, just get em...
Dec 22 2024 2:05PM
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Thegreatpasta
Posts: 19 - Karma: 391
I should also note my locals are like a max of 700vert ft, which is love to piss missile. I do also go to bigger vt mountains, the biggest being Jay Peak and Stowe.
Dec 22 2024 2:08PM
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snorman
Posts: 40 - Karma: 176
Sounds like you would be better suited for a more directional ski, take a look at armada declivity 102 or maybe a Salomon qst 106. Both gonna be way more stable but still loose enough to have fun on
Dec 23 2024 12:18AM
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midwestcoast
Posts: 208 - Karma: 2,113
Mine were actually the first gen - so they were a little softer than the current gen. Honestly that fixed my only complaint, which was that they were a little too soft in the tip at top speeds. I demo'd an updated version a couple seasons ago but didn't like the horizon tech. Now they got rid of horizon and it's on my shortlist again. My current midfat is the Black Crows Anima, which are great, just not quite as playful...
Dec 23 2024 11:43AM
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Thegreatpasta
Posts: 19 - Karma: 391
This might sound stupid, but what would be the benefits of a directional? Do you still think like a 188 length would be appropriate? I do love riding switch and doing reverts and 1s too, how rough would that being directional? Pretty much I want something that feels identical to my arv's I have now but a lil more chargey and that handle more speed (I'm thinking my current setup is just too short tbh)
snormanSounds like you would be better suited for a more directional ski, take a look at armada declivity 102 or maybe a Salomon qst 106. Both gonna be way more stable but still loose enough to have fun on
Dec 23 2024 7:25PM
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snorman
Posts: 40 - Karma: 176
ThegreatpastaThis might sound stupid, but what would be the benefits of a directional? Do you still think like a 188 length would be appropriate? I do love riding switch and doing reverts and 1s too, how rough would that being directional? Pretty much I want something that feels identical to my arv's I have now but a lil more chargey and that handle more speed (I'm thinking my current setup is just too short tbh)


A directional ski will be much more stable and allow you to push through your tips more and take a more aggressive stance while skiing. Yes it will take more effort but if your prime goal is to just go straight and fast like a metal ski will be good for you. The déclivity has a lot of rocker in the tail, so it will still be fine to ski switch (not as easy as the arv but better than your standard directional ski) but the metal in it would help it be stable. If you are worried about riding switch with it, mounting it a cm or 2 forward would help with that and still help it ski normally. The 188 or 180, just longer ski=more stable and less playful, but that’s up to you with personal preference.
Dec 23 2024 9:36PM
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Juviticus
Posts: 359 - Karma: 1,845
ThegreatpastaThis might sound stupid, but what would be the benefits of a directional? Do you still think like a 188 length would be appropriate? I do love riding switch and doing reverts and 1s too, how rough would that being directional? Pretty much I want something that feels identical to my arv's I have now but a lil more chargey and that handle more speed (I'm thinking my current setup is just too short tbh)

I've heard rumours about a potential Ti ARV for next season. My guess would be something along the lines of the ARV 96Ti they had in the Zero series a few years back. If it's a 106 it could be perfect
Dec 24 2024 12:33AM
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Thegreatpasta
Posts: 19 - Karma: 391
Is the 106 on ARV's in general too much for east coast skiing? My vishnu's are 106 and I kinda like the wide platform but they're also super soft.
JuviticusI've heard rumours about a potential Ti ARV for next season. My guess would be something along the lines of the ARV 96Ti they had in the Zero series a few years back. If it's a 106 it could be perfect
Dec 24 2024 7:11AM
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Juviticus
Posts: 359 - Karma: 1,845
ThegreatpastaIs the 106 on ARV's in general too much for east coast skiing? My vishnu's are 106 and I kinda like the wide platform but they're also super soft.

Not unless you're a super aggressive carvy skiier, like lots of high speed/high edge angle all the time. Tbh in my mind Vishnus are like the opposite of an east coast all mountain ski because of the rocker shape. So I think it'll be an improvement regardless
Dec 24 2024 11:05AM
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Thegreatpasta
Posts: 19 - Karma: 391
Yeah the vishnus are my slush/soft condition day/park skis that I like to get silly and swerve with. This would be more something I can still swerve with that could handle faster more aggressive downhilling and absorb landings on jumps. I dont mind the 106 underfoot on them so I think i might go arv 106 instead of 100.
JuviticusNot unless you're a super aggressive carvy skiier, like lots of high speed/high edge angle all the time. Tbh in my mind Vishnus are like the opposite of an east coast all mountain ski because of the rocker shape. So I think it'll be an improvement regardless
Dec 24 2024 11:25AM
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