Skier: Seabass Halpern-Reiss
Skier Height: 5’7”
Skier Weight: 170 lbs
Ski Length: 175 cm
Ski Radius: 17 m
Ski Dimensions: 139-116-135
The Armada JJ’s are made to work as a big mountain ski that wants to trick every natural feature on the mountain. With 116 underfoot, this ski wants to be deep in powder, but is stiff enough to be playful all over the resort. After using these skis with frame bindings for over two years in Vermont and New Hampshire, while skiing a mixture of backcountry, resort, and park, I can confidently say that it is not a ski that thrives on the east coast. The very few days of deep powder that New England brings each season do not warrant the 116 underfoot these bad boys boast, as well as the weight while trying to go uphill. Rather this ski is ideally suited for people out West who receive more powder days than the East Coast.
The weight of these skis makes for a stiff ski, but is contrasted by extremely buttery and playful tips and tails due to the flex pattern and AR Freestyle rocker. The buttery tips and tails make for a very forgiving ski that can handle its own on East Coast choppy snow. However, the drawback of this is that the ski does not feel that stable at high speeds because of the tips and tails constantly bouncing around waiting for the next butter 3 into deep pow. I personally chose this size of ski to focus more on tree skiing and backcountry. If I were to only have it as a resort ski, I would absolutely size up to the 185cm.
I think that the graphic on this ski is one of the coolest that Armada has ever done. Each year they keep stepping it up.
What you need to know: This ski is made for someone looking to charge through pow while having the most playful time doing it. You take these big dogs out only when it’s puking.
Overall Rating: 8/10
Ski Link: Armada ARV 116 JJ
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