ARMADA WHITEWALKER 121 REVIEW!

Season 04, Episode 88: sup squad! in this episode, i am stoked to share my thoughts and review of the armada whitewalker 121. this is an absolute monster of a ski and is the most fun ski that i have in my quiver. full caruba core, edgeless tip/tail and massive underfoot - this ski leaves nothing on the table when it comes to surfing pow. hope this provides some insight on if the ski is right for you!
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00:00 Intro
00:16 disclaimers and such
02:28 basics
04:37 ski geometry
07:23 personal experience
09:10 drawbacks
11:53 comparable skis
14:37 conclusion
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Lucas Catania
PO BOX 682317
Park City, Utah 84060
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Luna is my 2013 self-converted sprinter van that I spent about 6 months taking from a messy work van to my very own tiny home on wheels!
website || www.lucascatania.com
instagram || lucascatania

[@LucasCatania17]

super stoked to share my passion for this ski! also, woke up to some snow here in utah so fingers crossed that winter is on its way!

[@666size666]

I loved my JJs....until I got the Bent Chetler 120s. No going back. And the "snow" this morning melted once on the ground in upper Sandy so......maybe snow? Also, it looks as if (forward camera placement, I could be wrong) your pulling your uphill arm back. Sticking your ass out further might help. Whiskey Bench!

[@leviwarr4490]

Gets me so stoked to absolutely shred pow days on my chetler 120’s!!

[@LucasCatania17]

lets go dude we gotta have a 120 day together this year!

[@stefanwieler2135]

I own (ed) the WW121, also the original 116 WW, JJs or all vintages, and Magic Js. For me the original WW 116 is the standout ski. It combines the awesome shape of the JJ in a much lighter and in my view stiffer package (the WW116 has also a Caruba core, but with carbon stringers and the metal edge is much longer). I wish it would not come with the pintip but the normal shape of the JJ, because I feel the JJ (and Magic J) tip shape is easier for landings when you go big. But it also has its benefits, it cuts though snow much better in heavier snow and doesn't get stuck when it submerges. I use a Magic J when going cat skiing in BC, because the wider platform just makes landings a lot easier. However, that ski comes with a huge drawback, the weight combined with that much surface area creates a lot of torque on your knees and ankles, and I had it twice that my kneecaps popped out. It also wears you out in the trees. So when Armada announced the WW 121, I thought this is the ski to replace the Magic J. But the WW121 turned out to be VERY different from the WW116. completely different ski. For me this ski has one purpose only, to do high level park tricks off backcountry features. Its borderline unskiable for everything else in my view and inferior to all the other skis I listed above for just normal fast and steep backcountry skiing. that is because the tail is so soft, it just gives up. you have to ski like you are on eggshells and every time you leave the ground, you better make sure to perfectly land centered. A bit of too much weight on the back or front, the tails and tips give up. Because the way I ski is fast with big drops, and the hardest tricks I do is front flips, backflips and 360 off cliffs, this ski makes no sense for me. I just don't need what it offers to people who do really high level tricks, especially buttering tricks. This ski seems to fill a niche, like the Bdog edgeless, and I am pretty sure Sammy himself only skis this for short lines where he does tricks. He doesn't ski them on these long, AK spine lines from his movies, he uses the WW116 for that, which again, is imho the best powder ever made. I gave my WW121 away and will probably ski exclusively the original WW116 until they come out with something that has the shape of the JJ, the construction of the WW116 and the width of the 121.

[@Troyhth]

Do you like the WW116 better than the JJ116 for a powder ski?

[@steveharris6916]

Armada…pay the man for Christ sakes!!!!

[@LucasCatania17]

haha!! its all good!

[@ADHski]

Well done in depth review of a ski I can only dream of using :)

[@LucasCatania17]

stoke squad meetup 2025, everyone is getting whitewalkers!

[@tt55k]

#Armada sponsor this man !

[@LucasCatania17]

😂😂

[@chadcore5000]

Dawg, you’re MOVING on those Jupiter tree runs… Seen that same clip a bunch of times and still gets me stoked 🤙 Think ima try out the JJs this year 🙌

[@LucasCatania17]

haha i have so many clips of me skiing those jupiter trees that even i get confused which ones i have shown before! and nice man such a great ski!

[@josephcatania2681]

Excellent summary! Can't wait for February conditions...

[@LucasCatania17]

thanks joe! hopefully we have feb conditions in december again!

[@neverforgettr2276]

Great review. Solid info with good natured stoke. Well played sir. That’s even coming from a snowboarder watching ski reviews. Powder to the people.

[@LucasCatania17]

damn im honored haha. didnt think snowboarders really tuned in - esp to a ski review!

[@travelingtheUSA]

I can second that

[@ccpmarch1980]

Another solid review 🤙

[@LucasCatania17]

thanks bro!

[@wbsnow93]

Snow in the pnw this morning😎

[@LucasCatania17]

Yea snow falling everywhere!

[@ronwilson5210]

GREAT REVIEW! Tools not Jewels! I like that they have a few nicks & cuts. Bumps & bruises... And, I agree with Papa Joe: "high moral standard and unwavering integrity"! D.I.T.G.!!! 🐐🐐🐐💢💯💥💣👍🤟👌

[@LucasCatania17]

haha love it ron! been thinking of ways to incorporate DITG on a sticker or even a tshirt or something. love it!

[@jacksultan8146]

Sammy's just absolutely extraordinary talent

[@LucasCatania17]

Yeah he is!

[@crs092]

Have you skied windows at Breck? That would be a tight POV video!!! Love your content, you are getting my hyped up for the season.

[@LucasCatania17]

i have not, but ive done the 6 senses a few times up there!

[@Troyhth]

Great review! I'm looking to replace my Tracer 118s with a more playful powder ski and looking at the WW1121 and JJ116. You have and ski both. :) Which one do you like better?

[@RB-rn6bk]

Hey Bud just picked up a pair of WW121! How do you like the mount point? I'm thinking of mounting a little forward at -5cm or -3cm from true center. Thanks kind sir!

[@mr2fyre]

Let's go! This ski looks like so much fun, but for someone my size, i don't think it would work out.

[@LucasCatania17]

totally! definitely tailors to a shorter/lighter frame!

[@ronwilson5210]

Lucas do you ski them consistently left is left foot & right is right Or interchange? Does it matter? Factory mount point - or +/-?

[@LucasCatania17]

personally, i ski all of my skis consistently left and right. not sure if it totally matters, but all my armadas seem to have a left and right! @@ronwilson5210

[@gracerieke]

Now my husband (Shane Rieke) wants Armada's😂 great video!

[@LucasCatania17]

haha ope! i do not take any responsibility!

[@gracerieke]

@@LucasCatania17 I am 100% blaming you 🤣 jk

[@liamkingsbury7438]

You are an amazing skier man! I don’t think it’s fair for you to compare yourself to a professional athlete like Sammy Carlson. In the grand scheme of things, you are an outstanding skier. If you of all people aren’t able to push the ski to its potential, then I feel like that ski has hit such a minute range of skiers.

[@LucasCatania17]

i really appreciate that liam! just try to be honest and heir on the side of caution!

[@blobbit7450]

Sick

[@LucasCatania17]

Thanks!

[@joesbusiness1635]

Hi Lucas, how are you ? I just discovered your channel and I tell you something, i like it ! Thanks for your spirit and your honest reviews. Did you try the arv 116 JJ UL ? I am in big hesitation with the standard JJ for my next weapon. I am planning to only ride it in resort, most usually on pow day. But I am living in the Alps and snow conditions are moving fast, and it's common to go far for finding powder but finally just find hard snow. I am afraid that's the UL could be to soft. And the day you want to ride the Alps with your mtb, let me know. I will be happy to guide you on the local spots.

[@LucasCatania17]

yah ive never used the UL, but would recommend the normal JJ for resort skiing.

[@joesbusiness1635]

@@LucasCatania17 Just recieved my pair of 2024 ARV JJ 116 this week and first ride in verbier. Good ski, gonna have a lot of fun on it !

[@jackz3444]

Lucas, awesome video dude, question - when would you ski the WW121s versus the ARG IIs? Obviously both fat boys yet also very different - just trying to understand what conditions warrant which ski. Thanks!

[@LucasCatania17]

good question man - honestly the ARG II is gonna come out when its just a ridicuously deep powder day and honestly at resorts where its more top to bottom skiing, like snowbird or jackson hole. also, if im not feeling doing any "tricks" or jumping, id take the arg out of the whitewalker but you really dont need both of those skis. the 121 can do everything the 133 can for the most part!

[@jackz3444]

@@LucasCatania17 got it, thanks for the feedback man, stoooooked for the coming winter (el nino be damned!)

[@NordsternOutdoor]

I’m 6”2 and 190lbs, you reckon it’s too short & soft for me? 😢 I found a good deal. I like that it’s light so I can take it touring.

[@LucasCatania17]

In my opinion, 183cm at 6”2 would be way too short but you are relatively light so up to you

[@NordsternOutdoor]

thanks for the instant reply mate. Fair enough. Struggling to find anything else from armada around 120mm 😅 I do really enjoy my 182cm declivity, but that’s a very different kind of ski…

[@charlesmaher1601]

A-bay tomorrow?!!! Maybe Saturday though.

[@POW862]

Not til mid week..maybe.

[@LucasCatania17]

I think Sunday.

[@POW862]

Looks like you were right. Nice storm coming too. @@LucasCatania17

[@MasterM12345]

yewwww

[@LucasCatania17]

Yew!

[@C.oleCarson]

Idk if you'd fit in them, but I'd be really interested in seeing you try Joe's Armada Declivity's and your thoughts on that type of ski

[@LucasCatania17]

I would like to try them but I don’t think they would be the ski for me just with the directionality and no tail rocker but def need to try them

[@darinsmith2458]

I am more of a technical skier.. I am still learning your ski style.. I think it is called surfy.. There is also a term called slarvy.. I think I need to learn that first before I can learn surfy..

[@darinsmith2458]

Did you get any snow last night.. I know it is coming my way.. Keystone is only like 5 degrees different in temp than Denver.. 48 there right now and it is 1pm..

[@LucasCatania17]

thanks darin! and yeah we got a few inches down in the town of park city!

[@darinsmith2458]

@@LucasCatania17 that has to be good to see... it is snowing at Keystone right now and Denver is supposed to get a couple inches this weekend..

[@darinsmith2458]

@@LucasCatania17 are you at A-Basin today?

[@LucasCatania17]

@darinsmith2458 yah I was there !

[@alekfoy9362]

Atleast get an affiliate link lol great video

[@LucasCatania17]

thanks man!

[@ShredHeadCloud]

Did you go to the araphoe opening g day

[@LucasCatania17]

Yah!

[@ShredHeadCloud]

Yuppie! Can’t wait for the video

[@ShredHeadCloud]

Love you Lucas!

[@paulblichmann2791]

121 is a snowboard lol. Honest question, do you even need 2 of them.

[@cjriel8456]

I am think of buying armanda.

[@LucasCatania17]

nice man!! lots of cool options out there.

[@TheOriginal1234]

[@alexislefebvre4151]

I have the Whitewalker 116 and can’t wait to get on it this season ! Good review

[@LucasCatania17]

thank you! hope you like the WW!