2023 Armada Reliance 82 Ti

Built for all-mountain performance with an emphasis on strong edge hold, the Armada Reliance 82 Ti is a frontside dominator with an eagerness for turn initiation. Designed for intermediate skiers looking to up the ante, this ski is constructed with a light Caruba wood core combined with two sheets of titanal banding, which enhances the lightweight qualities of the core by providing extra stability for when the speed dial gets turned up. While Armada has focused primarily on twin tip, freestyle-oriented skis in the past, this Reliance 82 Ti is a breath of fresh air in terms of introducing a more directional, front-side ski to their product line. With generous camber underfoot and full sidewalls, this ski is ready to carve and guide you through aggressive, reliable turns. Slightly narrow underfoot but with a moderate turning radius, you’ll reap the benefits of this combination when encountering moguls, tight trees, and firmer conditions. A powerful yet nimble ski with a steadfast edge hold, this maneuverable ski will leave you feeling nimble and quick. Whether you’re looking for a mellow, easy to drive ski or wanting to charge and put the foot on the gas, this ski provides a wide range of choices for how to command them.

Abby Maurice skied on the 166 in length, noting that they skied true to size and would be the exact length for her. Scoring 4 out of 5 in flotation, stability, playfulness, forgiveness, and torsional stiffness, it’s safe to say Abby enjoyed her time skiing these, and we can see why! In her words, “This ski is exactly what they've named it... reliable. It's a great all-mountain ski for an intermediate to advanced skier who's looking for quick, agile movements. Its ability to maneuver delicately around obstacles allows for growth and improvement in each turn. I didn't have a chance to test in glades, but I believe the weight and fluidity of this ski would make it a great option for someone looking to advance their glade technique. It's neither light nor heavy, it's 'just right’.” A glowing response from Abby, it goes to show that the Reliance 82 Ti is a ski that you can turn to for learning technique, playful maneuverability, and all-around reliability!

Allison Kozar tested the 164, finding it true to size as well. While she noticed reluctancy as far as stability at high speed, her overall takeaway was that they were very fun and maneuverable. She mentioned, “Great for someone who wants to make slower on-trail turns. Was a little squirrely/chattery going fast on firm stuff.” This opinion is reflected by her score of 3 out of 5 for stability, however, she rated similarly for quickness and maneuverability, leading us to believe the 82’s are well-rounded and deliver moderate performance.

For a narrow, all-mountain ski with reliable grip and performance, the Armada Reliance 82 Ti is high on our list of frontside, directional skis. Pushing for the perfect carve, this poppy and agile ski takes its construction one step further through the addition of metal, making the performance a notch higher than its competitors on the market. For fun, easy to handle skis with powerful attributes, intermediate to advanced lady skiers will enjoy the versatility and intuitive feel.