2021 Armada Trace 98

Oooh, these are the fun ones. It's hard to believe that anyone, anywhere could make a funner ski. There's just something about these 98's with a wood core that makes a lot of sense to a lot of skiers. The Armada Trace 98 is the type of ski that can really make an impact on a skier's life, and we love it for that. Armada has a fantastic reputation for doing things slightly out of the ordinary, and while there's a lot of traditionalist influence with these skis, the entire feeling and character of the ski is quite something to behold. On the wider side of average, the Trace 98 hasn't met any snow conditions or terrain that it can't handle. For the ultimate in all-mountain versatility and fun, you've got to check out the Armada Trace 98.

Starting with the wood core, Caruba wood is a fantastic choice for these light and nimble sticks. For how wide they are, it's impressive the amount of energy they transmit. We find this with other skis from time to time, that their wood core is light, but the width and other materials allow them to have the stability and strength for high-performance skiing. When you feel how light they are, it's hard to believe how strong they are, but it's all there. In addition to the Caruba wood core, the skis also have a titanal binding reinforcement plate. While this is more for pure binding retention, it does function as a metal layer, and when that's found underfoot, it makes the ski a lot more able to hold an edge on harder snow. They are quite impressive carvers for their width and weight. Adaptive mesh rounds out the build package, and these stringers are able to be wound tighter where you need it, like underfoot, and further apart in the tips and tails where the ski should be more playful.

Armada's AR 75 sidewall implies that 75% of the ski has a vertical sidewall while the remaining 25% is a cap. The sidewall underfoot gives the ski excellent edge grip and response while the cap portions of the skis in the tips and tails make them quicker and lighter and better suited to soft snow and powder. With moderate tip taper and rocker, the skis are fantastic floaters. When this shape and profile are combined with the light weight of the build and the cap, the Trace 98 loves to stay on top of the fresh snow with no complaints whatsoever. Not quite as much taper or rocker in the tail, and that's a nod to the all-mountain portion of the ski. This allows the ski to finish its 17-meter turn radius with a good amount of snap and pop.

Skiers looking to broaden their horizons with a light and versatile ski will love the Armada Trace 98. From powder and trees to groomers and bumps, these skis are built to do it all, and with an emphasis on soft snow, they're all about having fun. This is what Armada has set out to do, and it's been a resounding success so far.