2027 Armada ARV 106

The 2027 Armada ARV 106 is a structural carryover ski from the past year, but we do get a new graphic to push the appeal. This ski is a ton of fun and highly useful for those who spend a lot of their time searching for air. At the same time, the ski operates very well on the snow, and functions properly in deeper and softer snow as well. While a twin tip within the freestyle line, there’s no denying the ARV’s ability to play and shred through trees, bumps, and other fun stuff outside of the park.

Built with a poplar wood core and an underfoot ash insert, the ARV 106 is a smooth and predictable ski. This stout underfoot zone keeps the bindings in firmly while providing additional stability. For the park thrashers out there, the ARV 106 includes their thicker 2.5 mm edges for added durability and the other big story here is the addition of w3dgewall technology to the build. By pressing the sidewalls into the core of the ski in the molding process, Armada creates a cohesive construction that leads to better durability and increased snow feel. While we’re getting a somewhat lighter ski here due to the poplar core, there’s still some mass as the ski hits the scale at 1920 grams in the 180. This is good news for those that were looking for a bit more agility out of the ski without taking away from the sturdy feel that we always loved. If you’re in the mood for a strong and capable twin, though, the ARV 106 is awesome. You can find tester Greg Petrics on a carving ski more often than not, but that didn’t stop him from finding a lot to like about the 106: “My first impression of this ski was a very playful powder ski that would be happy to catch some air, or go switch. Too bad I'm getting too old for air and switch skiing. That said I took this out in some fresh snow in the trees, and they were so fun to pilot I even tried a few trees switch.” Part of the appeal of the ARV line, and in this case the 106, is that they’re not limited to freestyle applications—there's some all-mountain fun to be had here as well.

Skiers looking to blend their use between trees, powder, park, and groomers need a good mid-fat ski to do so. That’s where the ARV 106 shines. The overall footprint of the ski returns the same. In terms of shape, we’re still dealing with a twin tip that’s ready and willing to tackle some difficult terrain. From steeps and trees to bumps and powder, this is a very well-rounded shape. The rocker is floaty and drifty while the camber underfoot provides energy, pop, and grip in all carved turns. This ski excels in softer snow while keeping it real on firmer stuff and in a pure carve. This blend of performance attributes keeps the 106 ready to charge and play all within the same run. That’s the benefit of having a fun-loving shape and a slightly longer 20-meter arc in the 180 cm length. Additionally, this ski has a nice blend of shape and build to make it so versatile.

As a mid-fat twin tip, this ski has some interesting applications. When it comes to skier type, the 106 has a unique range. Jeff Neagle states that “I do think it's best for an advanced or expert skier or higher. The Narrower ARV 100 or 94 can work well for an intermediate, but the 106 is just a bit too wide and might become cumbersome or difficult to handle for lower ability levels. That said, it's not necessarily demanding, it just feels unnecessary for a skier who wouldn't fully utilize its benefits.” This puts the 106 on a number of levels for a lot of different skiers, but it is important to note that it is still bookended by narrower skis of the same build. If you’re looking for a bit more horsepower, this 106 footprint is also built in a Ti version for more aggressive and pro-level skiers.