Sitting in the sweet spot of 88 mm underfoot, the Armada Reliance 88 C is a lightweight, energetic all mountain ski that caters to intermediate and less aggressive advanced skiers looking for a balance between float and precision. Poplar wood makes up the core of this ski, giving an even and predictable flex, while Woven Carbon Stringers add energy for maximum quickness edge to edge. Don’t be fooled by the lack of metal in this ski, however – it still charges down the fall line with the best of them.

Why we like it:

The Reliance 88 C will appeal to a large variety of skiers. Most of us don’t really need the biggest, baddest ski out there, and that’s where the 88 C comes into play - It’s an approachable, fun ski that’s absolutely packed with performance.

Who it's for:

Intermediate skiers on up to advanced skiers who like a more mellow pace are going to love the Reliance 88 C. Those looking to progress their skills will love the responsiveness of this ski, and appreciate its forgiving nature.

Highlights:

While there’s no metal in the Reliance 88 C, there’s no lack of performance here. Instead, Armada taps into the power of carbon fiber, weaving this strong and lightweight material into stringers that add stiffness without a weight penalty. With rocker in the tip and an intuitive flex, initiating turns is a breeze, while the fully cambered tail allows for a strong exit out of the turn, giving a responsive feel from start to finish. This adds up to a forgiving ski that’s easy to ski and yet remains powerful.

Things to consider:

Because there’s no metal in this ski, skiers who like to go fast may find that the Reliance 88 C will chatter a bit at speed; this ski really hits its stride at more moderate speeds, so if that sounds like you, you’re in for a treat on the 88 C. Similarly, if you’re looking to spend more time off piste than on, you may want to consider going with something a little wider underfoot, as the float of that added surface area will be more beneficial.

Fit & sizing considerations:

As the Reliance 88 C has a traditionally cambered tail, the effective edge on this ski is a little longer than a more freeride oriented ski that has lots of tail rocker, so sticking with your usual size (or even skewing short) is the way to go.