2027 Armada ARW 88

For 2027, we get a new graphic for the Armada ARW 88, but the ski returns structurally the same. As the narrowest and most park-oriented of the ARW series, the Armada ARW 88 is back for another season of freestyle fun. In plain sight, it’s easy to see what this ski is designed for but don’t let that surprise you-this ski can take on more than just the park. With a highly versatile waist width, freestyle-inspired shape and all-mountain capabilities, the 88 appeals to both the competitive freestyle skier and the lightweight, playful skier who wants an accessible twin tip. Durable, responsive and approachable, there is a lot to love about this ski and its wide range of capabilities. Testers usually get surprised (pleasantly) by the energy and grip of these fun twins.

Armada puts some decent engineering and sophistication into these skis. Built with a full poplar core and an ash insert, the ARW is built to handle aggressive skiing. It delivers a robust feel with enhanced strength and thicker core to stand up to the demands of hard landings and rail slides. Highly predictable and smooth throughout, Armada strikes an ideal balance between poppy and sturdy, which is great for its intended use. W3dgewall technology re-enters the conversation and goes a long way in delivering enhanced durability through the process of fusing the sidewall material into the wood core, creating a mechanical bond that can withstand hard impacts like no other. An exceptionally strong carver, the 88 can hold an impressive edge and feels stable at speed, making them just as capable on-piste as they are in the park. This is great for those who want to excel in the park but do not have to sacrifice all-mountain capabilities. Weighing in at 1600 grams in the 171 cm length, they are light enough to maneuver with ease but capable of holding up to the demands of aggressive skiers. Tester and enthusiast Steph Lawee notes: "I have skied on the ARW 88 for years as my primary park and pipe ski, so it feels familiar. It’s a stable and reliable ski, with a stiffer flex than most park skis, which allows it to carve very well, forwards and switch. It is less forgiving on icy or uneven terrain (like today’s conditions) and can feel a bit harsh in those environments. Overall, it’s a ski that does its job perfectly as a park ski and performs consistently."

The shape and profile of the ski mixes use between on-trail, off-trail, and slopestyle quite effectively. Designed with freestyle applications in mind, the ARW 88 features a relatively symmetrical shape with an 88 mm waist width and 16-meter turn radius in the 171 cm length. Where this ARW strays from the rest of the family is in the profile with not a lot of rocker and long, high camber. This provides great ski-to-snow contact, as well as energetic pop both on and off the snow. While it's certainly aimed to dominate the park, the high-quality construction and versatile all-mountain capabilities allow those who don’t want to step foot in the park as a competitive avenue. When a freestyle-oriented ski checks the boxes like that, it means Armada knows what they’re doing when it comes to versatility. Allarie Sullivan calls them " Light little bouncers, wish it was a better day to get in the woods. They made me realize I've been lazy." There is a lot of energy here for sure.

Armada's ARW 88 continues to impress skiers who may not otherwise look at an 88 mm twin tip. Camber goes a long way in terms of adding pop and rebound to the ski, and that's something that jumps off the snow when skiers are relatively unsuspecting. We find that the ARW 88 works great in a freestyle application, but that singularity is only short-changing the ski's ability to be awesome in an all-mountain format.