Curated Ski Experts Hayden Wright and Rob G. tested the 2023 Armada Declivity 102 Ti skis at Powder Mountain in Utah this past spring. Check out how it performed in the carving, freestyle, and freeride categories, but don’t forget, every skier is different and what works for one may not work for all. If you have any questions on the Declivity 102 Ti or would like recommendations on what skis would be ideal for your needs, reach out to a Ski Expert here on Curated.

A quick note that we're not sponsored by any brands, so all of these reviews are completely unbiased.

Brand Claims

What does Armada claim about the ski? [Hayden] Armada states that Declivity 102 Ti is the all-mountain jammer’s dream that has absolutely no speed limit.

[Rob] Armada’s known for their park skis, but this is their take on a directional all-mountain charger.

Overall Impressions

What is your overall impression of the ski? [Hayden] So the Armada Declivity 102 Ti is definitely a hard carving ski, loaded with camber underfoot and slight early rise. It is directional for on/off groomer carving. It's got a decent size shovel. It’s 102mm underfoot. It is directional, so there's not much rocker in the tail. It’s an awesome ski.

[Rob] I'm 6 foot 2, I weigh 215 pounds, and I'm an expert skier. I was really impressed with the Declivity 102 Ti. It’s a solid all-mountain directional ski. I had a lot of fun on this ski. I think it would be a great option for a one-ski quiver for an all-mountain West skier, or it could be a fun powder ski for someone back East.

Carving

What is the edge hold like? [Hayden] This is a very damp, crud busting, and stiff ski that loves getting held on edge. It has a Caruba wood core paired with a braided titanal layer throughout the ski. I had no problem holding it on edge, being only 102mm underfoot. It was fairly easy to get her over edge to edge.

[Rob] At 102 millimeters underfoot, this is definitely not a pure carver, but it carves really well for a ski of this width.

How is its stability? [Rob] I feel like this ski would be stable at speed over variable snow conditions.

Freestyle

Any playfulness in the ski? [Rob] This is definitely a directional ski, but for a directional ski, it is fairly playful.

How is it skiing switch? [Hayden] I wouldn't recommend skiing it switch, but you could ski it switch on groomers if you wanted to.

[Rob] It has a bit of an upturned tail. So if you like skiing switch once in a while, this would be a good choice.

Freeride

What is the float like with the ski? [Rob] If there were 1 to 2 feet of fresh snow that I was going to ski, I'd probably choose a wider ski. But this would be a really fun ski on the second half of a powder day, where you're skiing in some choppy snow.

What type of terrain is the ski ideal for? [Hayden] Let’s say you get to the resort, and it's a day or two after the storm. It's definitely a ski to consider because it still has enough waist underfoot and a big enough shovel to keep you up on top of that crud.

[Rob] If you see yourself skiing 50/50 on and off, spending some time in the groomers, some time in the trees, some time in the back bowls, this would be a great versatile ski that does all of those things really well. All in all, it's a great example of a mid-fat ski that can handle just about any condition.

Recommendations

Who would you recommend this ski to? [Hayden] I think this is for the skier that's an intermediate skier looking to progress. But if you come from a racer background and you're bored with racing, and you're looking to get your skis off the ground, find some little jibs, maybe skiing the trees a bit, the Armada Declivity 102 Ti could be on your radar.

[Rob] I think this is a great choice for a strong advanced to expert skier. And for that skier, it will be a versatile tool they can take anywhere on the hill.

Who would you not recommend this ski to? [Hayden] It’s a full metal ski, so if you are a beginner, it could be a little bit intimidating.

[Rob] It’s not a ski for someone who is really light or for an intermediate skier who's not really driving through the front of their boots yet.

Skis work differently for different types of skiers. If you'd like help finding the right pair of skis for you, reach out to Hayden, Rob, or another Ski Expert on Curated for free, personalized recommendations. Note that the 2024 version of the Armada Declivity 102 Ti is linked below - same tech, just different graphic: