I don't have a reviewer account, so I'mgoing to post a review in Gear Talk. I'll try to make it a little formal and include everything.
Introduction: There has been a lot of hype about the JJ, its design is somewhat new to the skiing world and the ski itself bares the name Armada, which is something to hype about as well. Last years model was a success (or so I hear), but I have only seen it, not skied it. This is fresh new review on the currently latest version of the JJ (2nd/3rd generation depending on point of view).
A little about my ski: Model: Armada JP vsJulien (known as JJ)
Model Year: 2009/2010
Binding Type: LookPX 15 (bomber proof)
Length: 185 cm long
Binding mounted at:Recommended value of -3 from true center.
MSP ($): 800$ Canadian regularly.
A little bit about myself: Skier Type: Aggressive with speed and force.
Skier Level: 3+
Weight:175 lbs + gear weight
Height: 6'4''
Sex: Male
A little about the location: Resort: Whistler Blackcomb
Backcountry: None yet
Terrains skied in with JJ include but are not limited to :
Steeps (45+ degrees), Trees (tight and spaced), Groomers (forwards and backwards), Bumps (big and small), Terrain park (slightly), Cliffs and drops, and variations which may include any combinations of aforementioned terrain.
Snow conditions skied with JJ include but are not limited to:
Powder (up to 70cm deep, sometimes heavy), Soft packed, Hard & corny, Cut up powder/crud, Rain crust, Icy and Wind-packed.
About the Ski: Physically: The ski is fat, stiff and big with a special design quickly becoming more and more popular. 5 dimensional shape (rather than the regular 3 dimensional), early rise/slight rocker (a variation of Shane McConkey's famous design), a light feel (wood-core and smaller edge), and a top-sheet quite different from last years. The design itself has a futuristic feel of Matrix, Metal Gear Solid and Gotham/urban where the color scheme is dark with nice grays. A bit of blood and Armada shine in red, orange and yellow on the ski which often make people see Armada and go "Cool".
Mentally: Yes, there is a mental aspect to this ski, a lot of people will remark on the skis and overall it makes you feel good to be using such a nice ski. When you use this ski in tougher conditions that require something narrower, it feels nice to have people admire the fact that you're maneuvering such a big ski so nicely and easily, more about the maneuvering in a bit.
How the Ski Rides/Handles: Well, first of all, I have to say I was blown away, first day I used these this year and it was super deep. Still, I was doubting that after the powder had long gone, I'd have to set them aside because it wouldn't handle nicely in bumps or icy conditions. Was I ever wrong. I'm trying to sell my other pair now.
Bumps: Alright, yes it takes a little more skill to handle these in bumps, but not too much, the are quick and snappy in their turns and as long as they can fit side by side between those moguls, you'll be having fun.
Trees: On a powder day, these things will turn on a dime due to their early rise. Doesn't matter if the trees are tight or gladded, as long as these skis will fit side by side you can handle them anywhere in trees, powder or not.
Groomers: These things can carve and rip like theirs not tomorrow. They love to go fast. So do I, we're perfect for each other. The turn radius is only 14m and you can definitely make those turns longer or slightly shorter if you want. We can blame the sidecut, but these things will grip on ice and preferably soft snow as long as your weight is centered or slightly forward, if you set your weight back you start to slide a little. These things won't carve at slower speeds quite like a racer ski. I know, Boo hoo, and although the skis are so wide, edge to edge isn't such a big deal, takes a bit longer, again, boo hoo. Going backwards is fine, not really different from any other twin tips, won't be long before I can carve these up backwards, I'm almost there and I am convinced they can do it.
Steeps: These things were designed with steeps in mind. Hop turns, no problem, the ski is light and its stiffness gives a slight pop to help. They grip the slopes just fine, even when you think its too icy and they would slip they deem themselves trustworthy.
Park: Not so much a park ski, they can't butter too well with their stiffness, they are a bit fat to do big tricks but they can handle big jumps no worries. As you can imagine, they drag in the air. As for rails and pipe, I'm convinced they can't handle these so well. The edge isn't made for rails and pipe requires too much maneuvering in the air at times.
Powder: There is a lot of the ski in the back and it does force your weight forward in powder, at first it makes you feel you should be leaning back but the reality is, even with your weight forward, the ski won't really dive, if it does, it's not deep. And with the weight forward in this way, it provides for good maneuvering. You can carve, slash, bounce through powder however you want. These skis are powder skis, there isn't much to say other than this is their domain. As much as they rock everywhere else, they love and crave this type of condition.
A little Extra: Cliffs and drops are pretty regular, landing switch is fine as long as your careful, in powder, these will cushion exceptionally nice. There is never more tip flap than a little jiggle. The stiffness of this ski will make cut up powder and crud so easy, they cruise along no worries never catching or anything. On windblown days, they handled like it was just soft-packed, and I didn't notice anything bad at all.
The only thing this ski couldn't handle was when it rained and then froze, all the off piste runs made things harsh. The 5 dimensional shape loved to catch on the solid frozen tracks, snow, etc as you were making your turn and it takes a lot of control and effort to keep them under you. At the same time, these are hard conditions for any ski, stick to groomers on those days.
Conclusion: These things are definitely worth the every penny and if I had to go back and buy a pair of skis all over again, it wouldn't change my choice. I classify this ski as a soft snow, all mountain ski that can be powder oriented. That said, it can handle almost anything else you throw at it. If you are planning to do 720's and rails all the time, I'd rethink this ski as a buy if I were you. If you're planning to only do backcountry, it's a good option, but I would choose a ski that rides powder even better and isn't made to be so diverse in other conditions. Armada ARG would be an example.
Alright. Sorry if it was long but my review is complete.
