Ski Reviews

2024-2025 Armada Stranger, 180 cm

Reviewer Username: Cholmeski

Reviewer Height: 5’8″

Reviewer Weight: 154 lbs

Reviewer Experience Level: Advanced

DAYS USED: 1 days

TEST LOCATIONS: Engelberg

TEST TERRAIN: Softer groomers | Softer moguls

TEST CONDITIONS: Softer, but not deep snow

PERFORMANCE RATINGS

(0 = Terrible, 5 = Okay, 10 = Outstanding)

OVERALL IMPRESSION: 7/10

FORGIVENESS: 8/10

MANEUVERABILITY (How Loose / Easy to Pivot & Smear?): 8/10

MANEUVERABILITY (How Quick / Low is the Swing Weight?): 7/10

STABILITY: 7/10

SUSPENSION: 6/10

EDGE HOLD: 6/10

PLAYFULNESS: 6/10

SKI LENGTH: It felt just right (180 cm length tested)

THIS SKI’S IDEAL TERRAIN: Softer groomers | Softer moguls | Low-angle, off-piste terrain

THIS SKI’S IDEAL SNOW CONDITIONS: Softer, but not deep snow | Untracked powder (shallow) | Soft chop / pretty forgiving cut-up snow

WHAT TYPE(S) OF SKIER DO YOU IMAGINE WILL GET ALONG BEST WITH THIS SKI?

ARE THERE SIMILAR PRODUCTS YOU’VE SKIED THAT YOU CLEARLY PREFER? IF SO, WHY?

I tried the Black Crows Justis @ 177 and Dynastar M-Free 99 @ 185 at the same test weekend and preferred both to the Stranger. Probably not totally fair comparisons given limited time on the Stranger and would certainly be keen to try it for longer. The Justis felt like a stronger more precise ski and one i would feel more confident on in the heavier off piste conditions. The M-Free 99 felt more fun and energetic. Again would caveat that I only got a few runs on each so not a full on Blister assessment ;)

PLEASE ELABORATE ON ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO SAY ABOUT THIS SKI. FEEL FREE TO GO INTO DETAIL!

Tested for a couple of runs at the end of the last day of the Freeride Days Engelberg test weekend. Was looking to try the Declivity 102 they didn’t have it in and the previous year they had not brought the Stranger so was keen to try it given there are not so many reviews out there. Had no real idea what to expect but was a lot of fun in the short time I had on it. Was snowing quite hard and the viz was not perfect but felt quite forgiving in the conditions – chopped up soft pistes. Was very surprised when I looked up their weight afterwards, would have guessed more like 1900g vs 2100g