By Ethan Sullivan
Armada Locator 96
Quick Summary
The Locator 96 is aimed at touring skiers who want a lightweight ski that still performs on steeper descents. With a 96 mm waist and EST Freeride Rocker, it offers a balanced, versatile platform capable in a variety of snow types. Expect reasonable float in softer snow, solid edge hold on firmer surfaces, and a predictable flex for technical lines. The construction favors weight savings while retaining downhill confidence; it isn’t a dedicated groomer carver but rather a capable all-rounder that shines on long days in varied mountain terrain.
On-Snow Character
On snow the Locator 96 feels composed for its category. The blended tip rocker with camber underfoot makes turn initiation forgiving while the camber and AR75 sidewall provide reliable edge hold. TI Binding Dampener and carbon reinforcement calm chatter and add rebound at higher speeds, helping the ski track steadily through chop and variable snow. The turning radius increases with length (18–22 m), so longer sizes track and stabilize at speed while shorter sizes feel quicker and more agile in tighter terrain.
Uphill and Touring
Uphill efficiency is a core part of this design. Armada’s Caruba wood core and partial AR75 sidewall keep weight down without removing necessary torsional strength, and the AR Bat Tail skin clip is a handy, secure skin attachment. Skis are sold flat, so binding choice affects the final touring weight, but the Locator’s light construction and touring-oriented details strike a balanced compromise between climbability and downhill capability. For long approaches the ski is lively enough without feeling overly fragile on the descent.
Build, Specs and What They Mean
Specs translate directly to how the ski behaves. Sidecut (tip-waist-tail: 124–128 / 96 / 114–118 mm by length) governs turning shape and float; a 96 mm waist favors quicker edge-to-edge transitions but less pure float than wider powder-focused boards. Turn radius (18–22 m) controls how the ski prefers to turn—shorter radii for quick arcs, longer for stable high-speed turns. Rocker/camber mix gives tip float and underfoot grip. The Caruba core, 1.7 mm lightweight edge, and Comp Series sintered base create a light yet durable ski; TI dampening and carbon add stability and energetic rebound.
Who Should Buy and Alternatives
Who should consider this ski and what are the trade-offs? The Locator 96 is best for lightweight to medium-weight tourers who want solid downhill performance without sacrificing uphill efficiency. It competes with other 90–100 mm touring freeride skis, offering a stiffer, more damped feel than ultra-light race tools and better downhill composure than softer touring shapes. Downsides include less pure float for deep powder specialists and a possible need for a stiffer option for very heavy or aggressive skiers. Overall it’s an excellent middle-ground tool for mixed mountain days.
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