In the world of all-mountain skis, two models stand out for their exceptional performance and versatility: the Salomon Stance 96 Skis and the Armada Declivity 102 Ti Skis, both from the 2023 lineup. The Salomon Stance 96 is a well-balanced, metal-reinforced ski that is smooth and quiet while remaining energetic and playful. It's a great ski for skiers who love to charge but want something with just enough forgiveness to be fun in less-than-ideal conditions. On the other hand, the Armada Declivity 102 Ti is a ski that can do it all. It's wide enough to ski powder conditions and has a great shape to carve. It's a ski that can carve like a carver and ski all-mountain like a bigger ski underfoot. Both skis are exceptional in their own right, but they cater to slightly different preferences and skiing styles.

Salomon Stance 96 Skis · 2023 summary

The Salomon Stance 96 Skis are a well-balanced, metal-reinforced, all-mountain ski that is smooth and quiet while remaining energetic and playful. This ski is designed for skiers who love to charge, but want something with just enough forgiveness to be fun in less-than-ideal conditions. The Stance 96 is a directional all-mountain charger that stands out from its competition thanks to its reasonable price point and nuanced construction.

The Stance 96 is a great "one-ski-quiver" for directional all-mountain skiers who want a stable, damp, reliable carver that they can grab regardless of conditions. Expert skiers will be pleased with the energy and versatility the Stance provides when compared with other heavy, metal ski options like the Voelkl Mantra or K2 Mindbender. Athletic intermediate skiers will enjoy the Stance's stable, confidence-inspiring platform, but could find the ski cumbersome in tighter spots like bumps and trees.

The Stance 96 is a high-performance all-mountain ski designed for advanced skiers. With a poplar wood core, carbon and flax materials, and double titanal layers, this ski is stiff, responsive, and stable at high speeds. Its full sandwich sidewalls provide excellent edge grip and a smooth carving experience. This ski is perfect for those who want to confidently tackle a variety of terrain and conditions.

Armada Declivity 102 Ti Skis · 2023 summary

The Armada Declivity 102 Ti Skis are a great ski to ski everything. It’s wide enough to ski powder conditions and has a great shape to carve. Armada has absolutely constructed an awesome ski with the new Declivity Series. If someone is looking for a ski that can do it all and rip like a race ski and take on powder like a big mountain ski, the Armada Declivity 102 Ti is it.

The Declivity 102 Ti is a high-performance directional build with articulated Titanal Banding, a Caruba Core, and Triaxial Glass results in a fine-tuned flex profile made for bashing through crud and laying deep carves, and they're light enough to whip around tight terrain with ease.

The Declivity 102 Ti is a great ski that can do it all, especially for PNW skiing. The 102s will make one love skiing all over again, and hopefully, then some. They can carve like a carver and ski all-mountain like a bigger ski underfoot.

Similarities

Both the Salomon Stance 96 and the Armada Declivity 102 Ti are high-performance all-mountain skis designed for advanced skiers. They both offer a balance of power and versatility, allowing skiers to confidently tackle a variety of terrain and conditions. Both skis are designed with a focus on carving and speed, but also offer enough forgiveness and playfulness to handle less-than-ideal conditions.

Both skis are constructed with a combination of wood, metal, and other materials to provide a stiff, responsive, and stable ride at high speeds. They both feature full sandwich sidewalls for excellent edge grip and a smooth carving experience. Both skis are also praised for their durability and build quality.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both skis are designed for advanced all-mountain skiing, they cater to slightly different preferences and skiing styles. The Salomon Stance 96 is a directional all-mountain charger that stands out for its nuanced construction and reasonable price point. It's a great choice for skiers who love to charge but want a ski that's forgiving enough to be fun in less-than-ideal conditions. It's also a great "one-ski-quiver" for directional all-mountain skiers who want a stable, damp, reliable carver that they can grab regardless of conditions.

On the other hand, the Armada Declivity 102 Ti is a ski that can do it all. It's wide enough to ski powder conditions and has a great shape to carve. It's a great choice for skiers who want a ski that can rip like a race ski and take on powder like a big mountain ski. It's also a great choice for skiers who want a ski that can do it all and rip like a race ski and take on powder like a big mountain ski.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to versatility, both skis perform exceptionally well in a variety of conditions and terrains. However, the Armada Declivity 102 Ti, with its wider underfoot and great shape for carving, might have a slight edge in powder conditions.

In terms of carving ability, both skis are praised for their excellent edge hold and smooth carving experience. However, the Salomon Stance 96, with its directional all-mountain design and nuanced construction, might offer a slightly better carving experience.

When it comes to speed, both skis are designed to handle high speeds with stability and control. However, the Armada Declivity 102 Ti, with its high-performance directional build and articulated Titanal Banding, might offer a bit more stability at high speeds.

In terms of price, the Salomon Stance 96 stands out for its reasonable price point, making it a great value for money amongst metal skis.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Salomon Stance 96 and the Armada Declivity 102 Ti are exceptional all-mountain skis that cater to advanced skiers. They both offer a balance of power and versatility, allowing skiers to confidently tackle a variety of terrain and conditions. However, they cater to slightly different preferences and skiing styles. The Salomon Stance 96 is a great choice for skiers who love to charge but want a ski that's forgiving enough to be fun in less-than-ideal conditions. On the other hand, the Armada Declivity 102 Ti is a great choice for skiers who want a ski that can do it all and rip like a race ski and take on powder like a big mountain ski. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on the individual skier's preferences and skiing style.