2027 Armada ARV 106 Ti

Now in year two, the 2027 Armada ARV 106 Ti is found in their Zero Collection, putting it a bit more in the unique and specific realm when it comes to Armada’s modern freeride skis. The graphics have been updated to reflect this move, but the ski returns otherwise unchanged. For skiers looking to get a bit more power, sturdiness, and confidence in a freeride twin tip, the ARV 106 Ti makes perfect sense. It has that strong and powerful feel underfoot while the ends of the skis are slightly more flexible and amenable to creative skiing.

If you liked the overall feel of the Declivity X 102, the construction of this ARV is no different. Like the other skis in the ARV line, the 106 Ti uses a poplar wood core but does not rely on the Ash binding insert. The Articulated Titanal bands replace the need for the ash. This results in a stiffer overall flex than the normal 106 and adds about 150 grams per ski to the overall weight. The 180 hits the scale at 2100 grams which is on the heavy side for a twin tip of any type—this is actually kind of a throwback and replacement to the older ARV 106 with a poplar/ash wood core in terms of heft and solid feel while keeping the more modern shape and profile fully intact. They also use Armada’s W3dgewall technology to keep the feel of the skis smooth and more durable by incorporating the sidewall material into the construction of the ski.

We had a lot of positive feedback as to the fun shape and sturdy build of this ski. Tester Danny Satterthwaite notes that the ski felt “Fantastic, strong, poppy, quiet. Metal is noticeable and makes them much more smooth and all-mountainy.” It’s great on “Everything but super firm snow. For its width and tail shape, it’s solid on firm snow but anything soft and skied out, the ski is a blast.” With a twin tip shape and a 106 mm waist, this ski is shaped to handle a variety of softer conditions, allowing it to be playful and creative when needed. With a 20-meter radius and measurements of 132/106/125, these skis are wide enough to float but still sturdy enough to rip a carved turn. The tip and tail shape are a bit more traditional looking in nature, but that style is proven to be effective in mixing all-mountain, freeride, and freestyle componentry.

Now as a part of a new collection, this ski is likely aimed at a bit more of a specific group. As a relatively unique ski these days, this 106 Ti will actually reach a narrower audience. The addition of metal to this amazing shape puts this ski in a bit of a different light. The strength and power are boosted, making it a better fit for expert skiers and more aggressive freeride skiers. While narrow enough to be considered a good Eastern US powder ski, it’s more likely going to be used as a softer snow daily for most. That’s a good place to be, though, and if you’re looking to mix some tricks into your big mountain repertoire, then so much the better.