Review: Armada Declivity 102 Ti Skis · 2023

Published on 02/19/2024 · 3 min readCurated Expert, Simon Johnson, has tested this product to give you their unbiased, definitive take.
Simon Johnson, Ski Expert
By Ski Expert Simon Johnson
8 photos
Photo by Simon Johnson

The Curated Take

4.0/5

The Armada Declivity 102 Ti Skis are best suited for advanced skiers who prioritize stability and carving performance. With excellent handling in bumps and moguls, these skis stand out for their carving ability and stability at speed. While on the stiffer side, they offer durability and good shock absorption. They are versatile across various terrains but may not perform as well in hard chop. Overall, they are ideal for skiers seeking a high-performance ski for all-mountain adventures.

Ideal for
  • Handles bumps and moguls
  • Stands out in carving
  • Stability at speed
Not ideal for
  • On the stiffer side
  • Not a ton of tail rocker
  • Not great in hard chop
Turn Ease
Simon Johnson, Curated Expert
The Declivity 102 excels in turn initiation and edge control. The softer tips allow me to progressively and smoothly transition into turns. I can easily release the edges and cut...Read more
Playfulness
Simon Johnson, Curated Expert
The Declivity wouldn't fall under the category of a playful ski due to the titanal layer and low-tail rocker; however, it does quite well for a directional metal ski. This...Read more
Durability
Simon Johnson, Curated Expert
These skis were built to take a beating. I have knocked them around quite a bit and have hit plenty of rocks without more than scuffs and small scrapes. These...Read more
High Speed Stability
Simon Johnson, Curated Expert
The Declivity does fairly well at speed on groomers. I've pushed them well over 50mph and felt confident in these skis linking turns. However, they aren't quite as good with...Read more
Carving
Simon Johnson, Curated Expert
When I found the Declivity, I was looking for a ski that could lock in turns on hardpack snow but also had an easy way to cut speed and not...Read more
Versatility
Simon Johnson, Curated Expert
The versatility of the Declivity is hard to come by. They carve groomers, hammer bumps, pop side hits, and smear through trees like a dream. The only place they need...Read more
Flotation
Simon Johnson, Curated Expert
Being 102mm underfoot, the depth of snow that these comfortably conquer isn't massive. That being said, I have skied these in 8" to 10" of snow and had no issues...Read more

Curated Experts are not sponsored by brands. Their reviews are based on their honest experiences testing products.
About the ski gear
  • Model: Armada Declivity 102 Ti Skis · 2023
Test conditions
  • When I bought these: 2023 season
  • Where I’ve used them: West Coast (Utah mostly)
  • How many times I've used it: 30

Expert Reviews of the Armada Declivity 102 Ti Skis

 When I set out looking for a new ski last year, I did my research and narrowed it down to about five skis to try out. After demoing them all, the Declivity was the overall winner. I was looking for a ski for out West that would hold a great edge and be fairly stiff but not too demanding. This ski went above and beyond. The energy build-up throughout turns is unbeatable, and more shockingly, after railing a turn, I can cut speed with ease. This ski is a top contender on bumps and is light enough to whip around. I’ve skied these all over snowbirds, and from groomers, bumps, and trees to chutes, these don’t disappoint.

Product Specs

Age GroupAdult
GenderMen's
Includes bindingsNo
Model year2023
Ski typeAll Mountain
Skill levelAdvanced, Expert

Review Ratings

Turn Ease

5/5
 gave 5 of 5 stars. The Declivity 102 excels in turn initiation and edge control. The softer tips allow me to progressively and smoothly transition into turns. I can easily release the edges and cut speed on cat tracks and slow zones. This is one of the reasons this ski is so versatile on the mountain.

Playfulness

3/5
 gave 3 of 5 stars. The Declivity wouldn't fall under the category of a playful ski due to the titanal layer and low-tail rocker; however, it does quite well for a directional metal ski. This ski has no issue popping over bumps and side hits. The lightweight allows the ski to feel comfortable on straight airs, but I would not recommend a landing switch.

Durability

4/5
 gave 4 of 5 stars. These skis were built to take a beating. I have knocked them around quite a bit and have hit plenty of rocks without more than scuffs and small scrapes. These are on the more durable side but not as good as a textured topsheet.

High Speed Stability

4/5
 gave 4 of 5 stars. The Declivity does fairly well at speed on groomers. I've pushed them well over 50mph and felt confident in these skis linking turns. However, they aren't quite as good with the speed in variable snow due to their lightweight.

Carving

5/5
 gave 5 of 5 stars. When I found the Declivity, I was looking for a ski that could lock in turns on hardpack snow but also had an easy way to cut speed and not feel too demanding like some other directional skis. The first few carves and speed cuts with these told me all I needed to know. When I leaned over, the energy build-up in the ski was unlike anything I'd demoed the whole day, likely due to the elastomer along the titanal layer.

Versatility

4/5
 gave 4 of 5 stars. The versatility of the Declivity is hard to come by. They carve groomers, hammer bumps, pop side hits, and smear through trees like a dream. The only place they need to improve is skiing switch. This ski isn't for someone looking to hit the park or drop a cliff and land switch.

Flotation

3/5
 gave 3 of 5 stars. Being 102mm underfoot, the depth of snow that these comfortably conquer isn't massive. That being said, I have skied these in 8" to 10" of snow and had no issues with float. There are better options if someone's looking for something that will feel more surfy, like a powder ski, but these are a top option for just soft snow and hardpack days.

FAQs

What do you love about this product?

The Armada Declivity 102 is a unicorn of a ski. The edge hold is great, the energy is unbeatable, and the weight is kept relatively low for a metal ski.

What was your favorite moment with this gear?

My favorite moment on these has to be flying down Big Sky on a bluebird day, hitting bumps and trees, carving turns, and making jumps.

Why did you choose this product?

I chose the Declivity after demoing skis in search of an all-mountain ski that held a great edge but also could let go of the edge for bumps and trees. The goal was to find something that checked all the boxes, and these hit the mark right on the head.

Find out if the Armada Declivity 102 Ti Skis is right for you

Answer a few questions and get personalized recommendations from an expert.
Quiz takes about 3 mins
product-image

Shop Skis on Curated

Armada Declivity 102 Ti Skis · 2023
$478.93$950.00
Faction Prodigy 1 Skis · 2025
$274.48$548.95
Line Honey Badger Skis + Quikclick Bindings · 2025
$329.97$549.95

Browse more Armada Skis

Völkl M7 Mantra Skis · 2025
$552.47$849.95
Völkl Mantra 88 Skis · 2025
$412.47$749.95
Faction Dancer 1 Skis · 2025
$374.48$748.95
Atomic Bent 85 Skis · 2025
$449.95
Rossignol Sender Soul Pro Skis + XP 10 Bindings · 2025
$269.97$449.95
Faction Prodigy 2 Skis · 2025
$324.48$648.95
K2 Reckoner 92 Skis · 2025
$259.97$399.95

Browse more Armada Skis

Read next

New and Noteworthy