By Alice Ivey
Armada Arw 88
Overview and construction
The ARW 88 is a competition-ready park twin built for riders who spend most of their time in the park but still want frontside capability. It pairs AR Freestyle Rocker — a rockered tip and tail with positive camber underfoot — with a 100% poplar core for a snappy, poppy feel. Armada's w3Dgewall adds impact resistance and edge connection, while the S7 sintered base and 2.5 Impact Edge handle hits and repeated landings. The overall construction targets low swing-weight and park-focused maneuverability without sacrificing on-snow durability.
Park performance
In the park the ARW 88 truly shines: quick edge-to-edge response, playful tip and tail rocker for easy presses and switch landings, and lively camber for predictably powerful pop off kickers. The poplar core gives direct energy transfer, which helps on ollies and transfer hits. Reinforced ash binding inserts and oversized impact edges translate to real-world durability — a welcome feature for riders who hammer rails and take hard landings daily.
Frontside and piste behavior; spec meanings
On groomers and hardpack the ARW 88 punches above its waist width. The camber underfoot provides credible edge hold for confident carves, and the relatively narrow 88 mm waist makes this ski exceptionally quick edge-to-edge. Longer lengths smooth out the turn radius and add stability at speed, while shorter lengths make the ski more spin- and tweak-friendly. Remember that an 88 mm waist limits flotation in deep powder, so this isn't your primary backcountry tool.
Who should buy it and sizing advice
Who should buy the ARW 88? It's aimed at advanced park riders and competitors who want a low swing-weight, highly poppy twin for rails, jumps and technical park laps but still appreciate the ability to lap groomers. Prospective buyers seeking deep-snow performance or extreme high-speed stability should consider wider, stiffer alternatives. Size by preference: shorter for agility and spins, longer for landing stability and high-speed confidence.
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