2025 Armada ARV 88 - SkiEssentials.com Ski Test Review

[@mohsinshah6653]

Hey I just started skiing this year I would say im more of a intermediate skiier. I’m thinking about the armada arv 88 2024 there’s a nice deal on them. I’m about 6ft 195 i mainly ski groomers but im interested in terrain parks/ park as well you think 88s would be good for the park but also all mountain/carving?

[@alexc4012]

I was riding the ARV96s from 2022 before and love them. I'm debating replacing them with the ARV88 or 94, or the Faction Prodigy 1's or 2's. I'm about 75% in the park and go big mountain the other 25%. I'm an intermediate-ish park skiier. How big of a progression did you see in your coaching when you saw your mentees take on a more dedicated park ski like the ARV88? What would you recommend from those options? Thanks!

[@SkiEssentials]

The spring in the ski is the biggest difference vs. the lower end skis. Carving is a big thing in the park and the 88 carves very well--that helps with takeoffs and energy.

[@drchris103]

Similar question, I’m going to buy both the 88 and 94 ARV’s. Which sizes should I get for each one? I’m thinking the 88’s only park specific and primarily jumps over rails and boxes. And for the 94s I’m thinking all mountain with some occasional park runs. I’m 5’11 and weigh 180lbs and I’d say I’m intermediate in the park but still have a lot to learn.

[@SkiEssentials]

I'd say 179 in the 94 and 176 in the 88.

[@krisutin114]

Right now I'm rocking a Head Caddy 84 2020 (3rd winter riding them) and want to get a new pair of park skis that would be more flexible and lighter than the head caddys. Maybe like a 1700 or something. Also I'm 188cm tall. I have been thinking of an atomic bent 90, an armada arv 88, a faction studio 1 or a völkl revolt 81. Which one to choose?

[@SkiEssentials]

To me, the Studio and the ARV feel like the most "real" skis on this list and will likely serve you best. The ARV is a very complete and comprehensive ski and one that holds up to strong and aggressive skiing while also being light and mobile.

[@thexdeath3]

I'm an experienced skier and I love doing jumps in the park. I want to get more into freestyling. Can you recommend the best beginner-friendly freestyle ski for me? I'm considering the Line Chronic 94 or the Armada ARV 88.

[@SkiEssentials]

The ARV is the more park-oriented of the two while the Chronic is more like a narrower freeride ski. I'd think the ARV is what you're looking for here, especially if you're focused on freestyle.

[@thexdeath3]

@@SkiEssentials hey thanks for the reply! And what about an all mountain ski that is really fun to do jumps and tricks with? I still want to be able to ski with fun on the groomers. :)

[@SkiEssentials]

@@thexdeath3 Check out the Black Crows Captis and the Line Optic 88.

[@TheEvolade]

Hi! Thanks for the review! I currently have a piste ski and a Volkl Revolt 104, but I’m looking for something in between. A ski that can carve on hard snow for 70% of my day, but that I can also take to the park or use for tricks on the sides of the slopes. Is there a ski you would recommend more?

[@flooo3780]

hey! I am not sure about the sizing. I‘m about 175 cm tall, so would it be better to pick the 171cm or the 176cm one?

[@SkiEssentials]

I'd go 171.

[@phyper3511]

Would the ARV 94s be a better choice if im going to be 50% piste 25% off piste and 25% park?

[@SkiEssentials]

Yes, I think the 88 is more of the 75% park option here.

[@Ben-hd3tc]

hey man! i’m debating between the 88 and 94 for east coast. I’d like some all mountain capability along with park, which would you prefer?

[@SkiEssentials]

The 88 is more reserved for park performance while the 94 has more all-mountain character. I'd say the 94 is a better all-rounder.

[@danielroskot8539]

should i buy 88 or 94. I was considering 94 171 cm or 88 176. I am 174-5 and still growing. I need it to be stable at speed beacause i ride really aggresively and be easy to spin for some flips and spins. i dont ski in deep snow very often so i just need something for snow on groomers or that snow that is next to groomers thats not deep but isnt really taken care of. Im starting with freestyle i dont know much yet, but i can ski very well on groomers

[@SkiEssentials]

I'd say the 88 is a better fit if you're doing park mainly and groomers. If you were getting off-trail and looking for versatility, I'd say the 94 is a good fit, but it seems like the 88 is a better one. I think the sizing here is fine.

[@danielroskot8539]

thankyouuu i bought the 88

[@yrnzias]

@danielroskot8539nice! i’m contemplating them as well. how do you like them on piste and park? do they feel like a good park ski that can also carve well?

[@nagelbrett1051]

How do you think i should Mount them for jumps and rails

[@SkiEssentials]

Jumps and rails only? Center. Any amount of non-park skiing? -2.

[@theguy9636]

Is it okay to mount bindings on these a few cm back from true center at the factory reccomended for park and all mountain?

[@SkiEssentials]

Yup! That's probably what most skiers do honestly.

[@alex_e_07]

would a pair of the armada arv 84 2025, with some marker squire 11 bindings be a good all mountain playful ski, for 400€?

[@SkiEssentials]

Yup! That's a good deal.

[@petermuller9967]

@@SkiEssentialscan the 84 carve ?

[@SkiEssentials]

@@petermuller9967 Slightly. It's more of a tweener ski so doesn't feature the nice wood core or full sidewall construction.

[@petermuller9967]

@@SkiEssentials im looking For an Ski That can carve an is good to start park an I was thinking of like the Head oblivion 84 , arv 84 or 88 or the prodigy 1 are they good for me or would you recommend anything else ?

[@JasonRue98]

What would you recommend the ARV 88 or 94 for east coast? I do half mountain half park. And what would be a good length? im 6ft or 182 cm. thanks!

[@SkiEssentials]

I'd go with the 94 if you're half park. If it was 75% park, then I'd go 88. In the 94, I'd go with the 179.

[@JasonRue98]

@ Thank you!!

[@tupla2806]

How is the flex compared to Line Tom Wallisch pro?

[@SkiEssentials]

The TW feels a bit softer--the 88 is quite springy while the Line feels more playful and surfy.

[@phyper3511]

Do you think this ski is good if im going to be skiing like 60% piste and 40% in the park?

[@SkiEssentials]

It's more of a 75/25 park ski, but you can certainly get away with a 60/40 split with no issues.

[@phyper3511]

@@SkiEssentials Thanks👍

I got a cheap pair of the armada arv 88 2024, what do you think of those? I saw the 88-96 video but those don't go as indepth.

[@SkiEssentials]

Great skis! Lots of camber and pop so tons of energy built in. Poplar ash core for stability and sturdiness and a true park twin tip shape.

[@tylergrosser6311]

@@SkiEssentials yeah i reckoned they were more than good enough for half the price of the newer model

[@thegamerandfriends6597]

@@SkiEssentialsI also just bought a pair, how do they hold up in an all mountain freestyle setting.

@@thegamerandfriends6597 aye W man, just to lyk width doesn't really matter that much for all mountain as long as it's not deep pow or really heavy stuff