Review: Armada TST

Armada TST

I got the chance late last season to ride the new Armada TST out in Silverstar during the ski Canada ski test (no i was not involved in the actual test, apparently unless your a level 4 instructor or race coach you not invited) and I have to say this ski really covered the bases for me.

Its shape is derived from 2 different skis in their line up, having the tip shape similar to the JJ and the tail shape of the sense discontinued ANT. This combination of shapes gives you a ski that can bust threw all the powder and crud you can throw at it while still being able to carve solid gs turns on the groomed runs. The stiffer ANT type tail gives the ski a ton of stability, and gives the solid feel from hitting drops to back country booters.

To say this ski highly impressed me would be a vast understatement, it excelled at every terrain type and snow condition I threw at it. From tight glades to wide open alpine faces this ski seemed to be able to navigate anything and everything I threw its way. The Rocker in the tip provided some outstanding float in the powder, but it also moved the initial contact point of the ski back a fair bit making it incredibly easy to pivot and carve in both the glades and groomed runs. I really loved the tail stiffness as well, it provided the right amount of stability threw any drop I wanted to hit. More often then not I hear company after company preach that they have the true swiss-army knife of the all mountain ski(1 ski that can do it all) but this is the first time I have gotten on a ski that truly was just that, a 1 ski quiver.

It should be no surprise that I was not the only one who felt this way about the new TST, it landing both the Freeskier Editors Pick and Skiing magazines Official Selection during their ski tests last winter.

This will be the first time in 5 years I have added a Armada ski to my quiver, and I am nothing but excited for it.