Ski: Armada ARV 112

Reviewer height/weight: 6’0” 215lbs

Ski weights (per ski): 2070g/2060g

Length skied: 185

Actual length (with straight tape): 185cm

Dimensions: 135-112-130

Mounted: -2.5cm from true center

Bindings: Pivot 15 with Cast 2.0

Locations: Sunshine Village

Conditions skied: Powder, All-Mountain, Backside, Trees, Park

Days Skied: 2

Photo Creds: Carter Edwards

_

The ARV 112 is a new one for Armada this year, replacing the ARV 116 in that line. And it's a good thing too because that ski had far too much overlap with the Whitewalker and JJ UL. The new ARV 112 is noticeably different and all the better for it. It can be a challenge to get a pow ski in mid-April and give proper feedback, especially with last year's snowfall. But luckily I don't have to repeat my Sender 110 “Park Ski” review, because I actually got to ride the new model where it’s supposed to be ridden. Although I’ve had a love/hate relationship with the ARV line in the past, the new 112 is one of my favorite skis in the quiver. For my ski style, this does everything I wish the Sender 110 could do, and I loved the Sender.

_

[Editor's note: that is a beautiful set up god damn!]

_

Shape/Flex/Construction:

Matching the shape of the rest of the ARV line, the 112 is still very freestyle. It sits at 135 in the tip, and a mere 5mm skinnier at 130mm in the tail. The taper to 112mm underfoot is definitely less aggressive than many other skis in the category. It's a fairly straight ski, which has both its advantages and disadvantages, but this new ARV is very much one of the fam. To put it loosely, you know it’s an Armada when you ski it. It will keep up with more generic skis all day long but doesn't give up the freestyle feel that sends Rickety Ski Review into a rage.

As most great skis do these days, the 112 has a healthy dose of camber underfoot. It is shaped with the “AR Freestyle Rocker” which is an almost equal amount of rise in the tip as they have in the tail.

On the stiffness scale, Armada claims the ski as 6 in the nose, 6 underfoot, and 7 in the tail, out of 10. I will agree with that more or less, it's not crazy stiff but it has never felt too soft for me. Ski flexes are always hard to nail down, and obviously 6/10 doesn't mean the ski is as soft underfoot as it is in the tips, it means 6 relative to other skis' underfoot section. To me, for this kinda ski, the flex is slightly stiffer than average, kinda just right (thats what she said).

There are some cool features on this model, big one to note are a 2.5mm Impact edges. That's thicker than the ‘all-mountain but you can ride it in the park’ models from other brands. That’s the same edge you’ll find on the ARV 88 and 94 that your fav comp skier is beating up, and also the same edge that comes with the Edollo and B-Dog pro models that get thrashed in the street. I’ll say it again for anybody who is wondering what this ski can do. IT IS BUILT AS A FREESTYLE SKI.

_

_

On Snow:

In Resort:

While it looks like a twin tip, is shaped like a twin tip, built like a twin tip, don't get confused, this ski can rip directionally on par with most powder skis from any brand. It's a bit heavier than the Whitewalker and much more so than the JJ UL, so I really liked that for more mixed snow. I mostly rode these on pow days, but I did take them on some groomers to get the feedback on how they ride (yeah I carved a 112, Rickety, come at me).

Turning these wide purple freestyle pow skis is not the worst, it’s 112 underfoot so it's not going to be the best, but it’s not the worst. There is enough camber underfoot that you can lay them on edge and hold a turn. The snap and hook wants to throw you into the next one, but I love that in a ski. And if that's not your thing and you're just trying to survive the hard pack on your way back to the bar, the freestyle tail rocker gives you a break and lets you cheat your turns at a nice safe speed.

_

Powder:

But back to the pow, these skis gotta' EAT, and do exactly what they were made for, which is charging some faster lines, making some snow fly, and finding some soft landings in flat light. They aren't really that damp in the scheme of things, they don't have that delayed reaction when you flex them when you’re on it. They want to turn, they are poppy, but they are still smooth and surprisingly easy to ski. They respond extremely well to charging but are nimble enough that when you turn it down a notch they ski as relaxed (or as exhausted) as you are. If you decide to ski fast and put in on the camber, don’t be shocked when these take you for a ride, they love to be skied but have enough pop and snap to out-ski you if you let your guard down. The tip and tails will save you most of the time though... that freestyle rocker does come in handy.

In the nice soft snow, the freestyle rocker floats well, and they will easily go sideways on command for a marketing turn or to feel some snow on your face. They will save your steeze if you land a bit backseat off of drops, that stiff tail is a bit tough to wheelie and loop out, so ride it out when possible.

To add, they have a very playful swingweight, as any good freestyle ski should. You can whip them round in tight spots when you need to, and while being able to withstand more aggressive riding, are nimble enough to move them where you need to without losing full control. That tip-and-tail rocker is really the move in my eyes.

Blowin' cold smoke

_

Park

Ok, this ARV is 112 underfoot, and it has a fairly directional flex. If you’re going up on a sunny day to rip some park laps, it’s not the first choice. But if it was my only choice, I would still have a blast and be just fine. I took a couple of cheeky park laps between zones where I actually wanted to ski it. Unsurprisingly, it rides like a wider ARV 106, and on fresh edges I successfully slid some rails, did some back 2’s out, and missed a couple of grabs. It has a good swingweight for mountain riding, and better than comparable width options for park skiing. It is an ARV, but obviously it's a bit wide to be considered a park ski. If you have to have a 110+ wide park ski though, these are one of the better options out there.

_

Durability

I’ll have to update this as I get more days on them. They are in perfect shape after a couple light rock scares and a few rails. The construction is pretty identical, so they should be as durable as any other ski in the current ARV lineup.

[Editor's Note: My pair of ARV 96s from ~2017 have held up better than pretty much any park ski I've ridden since]

_

Comparisons

Vs Rossignol Sender 110

I love both of these skis, and they do ride somewhat similarly and are designed to be ridden in the same conditions and terrain. The Sender is more damp and calm and also rides a bit shorter.

A 185 ARV skis true to size, while the Sender 184cm feels like a 178 compared to the ARV. So if you like the longer feel, ARV is a great choice. The dampness on the Sender is very noticeable compared to the ARV. I generally prefer a ski with some kick to it, so I like the ARV. The flex patterns are very similar though, and hold up about the same when charging or going big off something.

Both skis are some of my favorites, and you couldn’t go wrong with either, if you like a longer-feeling ski and ride on the aggressive side, I would suggest the ARV. If you want a ski to do more of the work for you, the Rossi might be a good shout.

Vs Reckoner KF 114

These skis are not very comparable to be honest, they are made for two completely different riding styles. The KF is super playful, and a lot of that playfulness lives in the tail. I would say the KF is a great choice if you want to ski the mountain like Karl himself, or Dylan Siggers the mountain jibber. While the ARV is freestyle based, the KF is a pure freestyle ski, and what it lacks in stability on a steep chargy line, is made up in butters and presses. The ARV is a more balanced powder ski, the KF is specific to a certain style of riding.

_

Conclusion

I genuinely love this ski, and not just because I've finally got purple Casts on a purple ski. It matches my riding style perfectly and is exactly what I look for in a powder ski. I would ski resort on it, I would ski BC on it, I would tour with it, I’d cat or heli-ski with it. But it is not an everyday quiver ski, it’s for the good days, on an average day it wouldn't be my first choice. It isn't that energetic around the resort, despite being a lot of fun in deep snow or park settings. But you better believe if there's enough fresh snow on the ground, I’ll be skipping and hopping to pick these for the day.

If you’re out west, or in the Rockies, in the interior, or even on the west coast itself, this would be a great addition to your lineup. It isn't THE widest ski, so if you get to ski the deepest of deep days, you might want to go bigger. But it has a great mix of charging and turnability, with a freestyle personality that truly makes it one of my favorite skis.